[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As humans, one of our body’s most important needs is hydration, which usually comes from water. Nothing beats a cool and clean glass of water after a tiring activity to freshen up the body. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, drinking the recommended amount of clean water filtration each day is a must. And with this said, a source of clean water filtration is very crucial. In fact, according to the Australian Government’s Department of Health, drinking water must be free of germs and chemicals, and that includes Chlorine.
By undergoing treatment facilities, several water borne diseases such as cholera and hepatitis A are eliminated even before they reach our homes. With its properties as a disinfectant, Chlorine has been used as a filtration element for publicly distributed water supplier. Unfortunately, the ingestion of chlorine can cause an increased risk of cancer, asthma, and heart problems, as reported by New York State DOH . Not to mention that the chemical makes the water taste and smell bad.
How to remove chlorine in drinking water? Fortunately, you don’t need any specialized equipment to do this task. Additionally, the things that you need to purify your tap water is already in your own kitchen. Check out these three methods to get rid of chlorine and enjoy tasteless and odorless drinking water.
Editor’s Sidenote: If you are looking for a reliable and long term solution here is our guide on the best home water softener systems for this year. As we have uncover the things to consider before buying a water softener to help you have a better drinking water at home.
Method No. 1: Evaporation (or Off-Gassing)
Off-gassing is the first method in this “how to remove chlorine from drinking water tutorial”. Chlorine content will be evaporated in the air before consuming tap water. This works because chlorine is originally a gas, which was compressed to liquid during the filtration method. Chlorine will evaporate at room temperature back to its original form. Of all the methods in this list, the off-gassing method is the easiest one because you don’t have to do anything. Here are the things you will need for this method:
- Clean glass containers
- Chlorine measurement tool (optional)
Instructions:
- Preparation
First, fill your glass containers with tap water supplies. Make sure that your glass containers are clean and enough to accommodate your water consumption for the day. Glass containers are preferred over plastic ones because of its non-toxic properties. Containers made out of plastic can emit Bisphenol A or BPA in the water if contained for a long time, especially in places with a warmer climate.
- Actual Off-Gassing
Leave the containers with tap water in an undisturbed place for at least 24 hours. Using multiple containers is recommended to avoid water shortage while evaporating the chlorine. The water is ready for consumption once the 24-hour time is reached. Evaporation speed will depend on the container’s surface area.
- Checking Result
If you’re unsure, you can use Chlorine Test tools or test strips before drinking your water. However, this step is completely optional. Off-gassing is the best method for people or families that don’t need a huge amount of water immediately. It’s free and does the job with minimal effort.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu8XQWdnZEs
Method No. 2: Distillation (Boiling Water)
This next method requires more effort but is still a relatively easy way of removing chlorine in your chlorinated water. Additionally, distillation can remove other dangerous metals (i.e. lead, arsenic, and mercury) as well as biological threats, according to International Water Associaiton. For this method, you will need the following:
- Stainless steel pot
- A glass lid
- Glass or stainless bowl
- Another container (for cooling down)
Instructions:
- Bring Water to Steam Level
First, fill the stainless steel pot with tap water and put it in a stove. Wait until the water is coming into a boil: no bubbles yet, but it produces a lot of steam already. Lower the temperature if the water is too hot or if the bubbles are already forming.
- Assemble the make-shift distiller
Next, put your glass bowl in the boiling water. Let it float while the water is steaming. Put the glass lid upside down, in which the handle is facing the steaming water. The steam will turn into water when it reached the lid’s colder surface. When the water in the lid’s surface is too much, it will fall into the floating glass bowl.
- Transfer the distilled water to container
You need to wait until the glass bowl inside the pot collected enough water for your usage. Put a block of ice or ice cubes in the glass lid to make the condensation faster. When the amount of water is enough, get the glass bowl with distilled water and transfer it in a clean container.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA16crVka8A
Method No. 3: Air Stripping
The last method is very useful if you’re out (i.e. hiking) and you don’t have the things needed for distillation. This method will work on water purified with chlorine tablets and tap water. Air stripping works by transferring the liquid into another container, trapping the chlorine molecules in the fresh air. Air stripping is usually done with a tank, but you can do it in a small amount of water manually.
- Two clean containers
Instructions: Air Stripping
Air stripping is done by transferring water from one vessel to another for at least ten times. Chlorine is evaporated faster by being in contact with the air. You can only dechlorinate a small amount of water with this method. It’s a more convenient way of getting rid of chlorine if you’re traveling.
Conclusion
Chlorine is overall a very helpful chemical that improves the lives of billions of people in the world. It has been used for years and became a necessary tool for getting potent water. Because of its harmful properties, a lot of people carbon filter their water filters to remove chloramine this chemical before consumption. Overall, you can use the methods listed above (off-gassing, distillation, and air stripping) to remove chlorine content even without the use of expensive machines. Do you know other cheap and simple ways to remove chlorine in drinking water? Let us know in the comments below.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]