During emergencies, it is often essential to provide a fundamental water source to the vulnerable populations quickly. This problem may be because the usual supply networks have been affected or disabled. The most popular and imminent solution is to hire previously used vehicles and tanks or retrieve collapsible tanks from an emergency warehouse. In any case, they must be washed and disinfected before use, which begs the question: Can a 300 gallon water storage tank be connected to a water purification device?
Harvesting Rainwater for Drinking
Rainwater harvesting for domestic use has been going on for a long time. Specifically, people store rainwater so they can use it to quench their thirst, clean their bodies, and feed their livestock come the dry season.
Water seems to have become scarce in many countries worldwide due to population growth, global warming, and climate change. Water levels have steadily fallen, causing diseases and even mortality among people, which has become a significant concern for the government.
Rainwater harvesting is an easy and realistic solution to the water crisis. Rainwater harvesting is becoming more popular as people become more environmentally conscious. Ultimately, rainwater harvesting also contributes to environmental stewardship and efficient use of natural resources.
When is Water Disinfection Necessary?
In most cases, water disinfection is unnecessary. If the drinking water comes from a public source and no “boil water warning” has been given, the water gets considered safe to drink. If there is some reason to think the water source has gotten contaminated, it is best not to drink it, cook with it, brush your teeth with it, or do something else.
Furthermore, the appearance of the water could already give away a hint and be cause for concern. Water that is dirty or has a foul taste or odor is almost certainly polluted. By all means, avoid drinking this water and instead seek out a safer, healthier alternative.
How can Water be Purified or Disinfected?
If there is reason to believe that a water supply is contaminated, it is best to purify or disinfect it. One can do so with an array of methods, including:
Boiling Water
The most powerful way to kill possible pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, is to boil water. Moreover, water boiled continuously for 3 to 4 minutes can be kept at room temperature in a suitable jar, providing more convenience in terms of storage.
Aeration
The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by aeration. Switch water back and forth between containers to aerate it. To further enhance the flavor, apply a pinch of salt to each quart of boiling water.
Chemical Treatments
Chlorination and iodine tablets are two popular chemical treatments for purifying water.
Use a simple, unscented household bleach (5 percent–6% sodium hypochlorite) free of any other cleaner or color-safe ingredients when chlorinating water. Allow the water to sit for 30 minutes after adding the bleach. If necessary, repeat the chlorination process once more if the water is cloudy after 30 minutes.
On the other hand, Heat-resistant pathogens get eradicated by iodine tablets. While iodine purification is more convenient and faster than chlorination, it does have some drawbacks.
Distillation and Filtration
When compared to boiling, distillation and filtration are relatively newer techniques. For these processes, water gets handled for physical treatment rather than chemically.
Distillation is the process of collecting vapor from boiling water and then condensing it back into a liquid. As a result, the impurities present in the raw water get eliminated during the distillation process. Furthermore, aeration may enhance the “flat” taste of distilled water.
On the other hand, filtration involves a simple process that removes impurities from water by passing it through a filter. Strainers and sediment filters are good at removing debris and some suspended particles.
Reverse Osmosis
Total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, asbestos, lead, and other heavy metals can all get removed using activated carbon filtration systems combined with reverse osmosis (RO) filters. While RO filters can remove pathogens of all sizes, that is not their design; thus, you should not use a RO water treatment device to eliminate contaminants from contaminated water.
Advanced Purification Devices
Innovative point-of-use filter systems installed to 300 gallon water storage tanks come in various designs, prices, and efficacy levels and are now widely popular worldwide. While these systems are highly dependable, they are high-tech and costly to install, operate, and maintain.
In choosing advanced purification devices, it is critical to ensure that the technology is appropriate for contamination in the water. Moreover, the user must receive clear instructions for installation, service, and upkeep.
Conclusion
As 300 gallon water storage tank systems increasingly grow in popularity among households, commercial spaces, and even municipal infrastructures, innovation to get the best water quality also progresses. Storing clean and uncontaminated water is made possible by various traditional techniques and modern technologies, ready to serve depending on specific needs.