Whether you’re camping or just don’t have access to bottled or filtered water, learning how long to boil water to purify it is a handy skill. Why? Because boiling water kills invisible microorganisms and bacterial germs, making it potable.
There’s a world of misconceptions about the right amount of time to let water boil, but we’re here to clear them up! In this article, we’ll take you through the conditions you need to meet to get clean and safe-to-consume water.
Let’s begin.
How Long to Boil Water to Purify?
There’s a very simple answer to how long should water boil to purify. The CDC states that getting water to a rolling boil for one minute will remove most germs, bacteria, or protozoa that may be present.
So, how should you boil water to purify it? It’s quite easy:
- Bring the water to a boil in a clean pot
- Let the water reach a rolling boil and keep it boiling for one minute
- If you’re at an altitude higher than 6,500 ft, then boil for three minutes
- Let the water cool
- Transfer it to airtight containers or bottles
Why Should You Boil Water?
Water from an untrusted source can contain many pathogens, virus strains and microorganisms that can make humans very sick. Even if you find yourself camping near a pristine spring, without a good boil, the water could still carry harmful bacteria.
Unclean water is also known to transmit deadly pathogens like cholera, E.coli, salmonella, Shigella sonnei, etc. Certain viruses, like hepatitis, can also live in unboiled and unclean water.
Did you know that at least 25% of the population consumes water with fecal matter in it? This leads to severe gastroenteritis, inflammation and sickness.
Drinking unclean water can make one vomit, have diarrhea, stomach pains and nausea, in addition to causing serious dehydration. At its worst, it can be fatal.
How Does Boiling Water Kill Pathogens?
Boiling water is the surest, quickest and most inexpensive way to kill all germs present and make it safe to consume. Research states that even a temperature of just 158 degrees Fahrenheit (or 70 degrees Celsius) can kill 99.99% of bacteria and germs.
Getting water to a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit (or 100 degrees Celsius) and maintaining it for one to three minutes will completely sanitize it.
Most viruses, bacteria and protozoa are not heat resistant, and being subjected to high temperatures causes their structural protein components to perish or become inactive.
Here are other benefits of boiling water:
- Keeps you and your family safe from waterborne illnesses.
- Cheap and easy way to ensure standards of sanitation.
- Let’s you stay hydrated and comfortable when you’re out camping or don’t have access to filtered water.
- No special equipment is required.
Table for How Long Should Water Boil to Purify
| Temperature | Effect |
| 158 degrees Fahrenheit/ 70 degrees Celsius | Kills 99% germs, bacteria and protozoa |
| 212 degrees Fahrenheit/ 100 degrees Celsius | Kills tougher and heat resistant bacteria if boiled for 1 to 3 minutes |
Conclusion
We hope this article answers the question, “How long should I boil water to purify it?” You now know how to get clean and potable water – even in difficult circumstances!
