Water is the core pillar of all our lives, not just for survival, but also for nourishment, growth, and sustainability. In this context, urban areas and cities usually depend more on borewell water than other sources for their regular drinking water supply. Borewells were replacements for open wells throughout the country from the late 1970s onwards, becoming popular owing to common perceptions regarding better water quality and easy availability even in the summer season. Average estimates according to the authorities also put the number of borewells and wells in the country at 27 million with the former accounting for more than 50% of this tally.
Yet, water from borewells is vulnerable to the accumulation of various debris, contaminants, sediments, and other impurities, that may make it harmful to the human body. It may contain bacteria, microorganisms, and viruses which lead to ailments like cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, hepatitis A, and thyroid. Let us take a closer look at some of the symptoms of unclean borewell and the methods that can be used to purify the same.
Symptoms Indicating Unclean Borewell Water
Before learning
how to purify borewell water, take a closer look at some of the symptoms that should ring alarm bells as far as water quality is concerned.
- The appearance changes of water changes, becoming cloudier or discolored, indicating the presence of heavier sediments. It may lend a yellow or light brown hue to the water.
- Rotten smells (high sulfur content) or musty odors (algae or mold) are indications that you should purify the water immediately.
- In case borewell water has a metallic taste, then it may contain excessive iron or manganese. A salty taste is also an indicator of higher sodium levels.
Also watch out for issues like diarrhea, nausea, rashes, and itching after consuming borewell water. If you live near agricultural or industrial sites, you should be even more proactive and alert regarding borewell water quality and its purification.
How to Purify Borewell Water
Learning how to purify borewell water at home naturally is essential. Some methods include boiling the water for about 4-5 minutes and using clay pots for filtration. At the same time, there are several other methods, including the following:
- RO (Reverse Osmosis) - It is an effective water purification system, where a semi-permeable membrane helps separate the water molecules from solids, minerals, contaminants, and other impurities. These membranes are usually tiny and can remove contaminants more efficiently than several methods.
- UV Filtration- You can also consider UV (ultraviolet) filtration for purifying borewell water, where UV rays eliminate microorganisms and the water’s taste and odor remain the same.
These are some methods that you can use to purify borewell water without any hassles. As can be seen, investing in a good RO or UV purifier is a must, particularly if you notice any of the symptoms listed above for a better understanding.
Safe Water is a Must for Healthy Living
Borewell water is indispensable for daily consumption throughout cities and major urban regions of India. As a result, there should be a community and region-wide emphasis on ensuring its purity and cleanliness above everything else. This will help in avoiding several waterborne diseases and severe ailments and pave the foundation for a healthier lifestyle among all the members of local households and the community in general.
At the same time, if borewell water is unfit to drink and there is no scope to use general purification methods, it is a good idea to shift to mineral water from a reputed brand. For example,
Bisleri offers bottled water that undergoes a stringent quality process of ten steps. The steps include collection at the source, ozonization, sand filtration, carbon and micron filtration, reverse osmosis, mineralization, re-ozonization, filling, and sealing. There are 90 tests at multiple production stages to ensure that Bisleri packaged drinking water meets quality standards. It also contains vital nutrients like potassium, calcium, and magnesium for maximum benefits.