Question

State two ways by which a small amount of clear water can be made safe for drinking.

Answer 1

Potable water - The water that is fit for human consumption is called potable water.

The following two ways are the most commonly used methods to make a small amount of clear water safe for drinking

1. Boiling - boiling water for a few minutes is the most common household technique to get potable water. Water is boiled for 10-15 minutes and then used. This boiling action kills germs and bacteria and precipitates out some dissolved salts as well.
2. Chemical treatment - this is a relatively new and less time and energy consuming technique. It involves the addition of tablets of alum and halazone (chlorine). The alum precipitates out any remaining salts and halazone tablets release chlorine that disinfects the water.