Not just air pollution levels but noise, land, and water pollution, especially in metropolitan and many tier II cities of India have left people concerned. For example, the AQI in Noida is above 300 which means it is hazardous to breathe this air as it may contain harmful pollutants that can lead to health issues. But these elements are not only in the air.
Water and land are equally contaminated in these cities boasting high-rise buildings. According to the Noida Authority, the soil in the city has high amounts of calcium and magnesium which when dissolved in water make it unfit for human consumption. The situation is so bad that RO filters continue to break or even when they can filter water, it still won’t be as pure as packaged water.
It often leads to sore throat and digestive issues. While you can use this water for cooking, especially if the recipes require boiling, you can drink it as is. While the authorities are working to resolve the issue, it is still persistent in many societies leaving many people grappling with health ailments. As the author continues to face similar challenges at her home, here are some proven methods that can help you make hard water fit for drinking (even if you have a functioning RO).
Boil Water
In ancient times, people used to boil water to make it fit for drinking. Even today, when people go camping, it is the best and easiest method to make hard water fit for drinking. When you boil the liquid, the minerals in it precipitate which helps to bring down the level of hardness in it. After boiling, let the water cool off so that the remaining sediments can settle and you can scoop out clean water from the surface. Make sure to wash the kettle or vessel after every use as the minerals will start depositing on the edges and can damage it.
Use Water Filter Pitchers
You can easily purchase water filter pitchers from e-commerce and food delivery applications. Many of them come with activated carbon filters that can improve taste, get rid of odour, and reduce chlorine content. There are a few expensive options that claim to dissolve minerals so that the water is fit for drinking. However, if you use these, don’t forget to change the filters as recommended by manufacturers.
Add Baking Soda To Water
A pinch of baking soda in hard water can do wonders if you are not allergic to it. The science behind it is the alkaline nature of soda. Hence, a small pinch of it can dissolve minerals and neutralise them. The water can be fit for drinking after this trick. Use this tip only if you are okay with the taste of water with soda in it.
Use Water Softening Filter For Faucets
You can add a water-softening filter to faucets at home. They have softening cartridges that help improve the quality of water making it fit for drinking. You can easily find budget-friendly options on the internet. This way, you will be able to soften a large amount of hard water without investing a lot of money and time.
Add Lemon Juice
Add a few drops of lemon juice to water, and its taste will improve significantly. The acid in lemon will react with calcium making the water slightly softer. However, you must know that it won’t remove minerals. You can combine this trick with boiled water. Not only will the water be free from minerals but also taste better.
Store Water In Clay Or Copper Pot
In the old days, people used to store water in a clay pot. They can alter the composition of minerals and keep the water cool. Storing the hard water in a copper vessel can also neutralise some deposits in it, improve the taste, and add antimicrobial properties to it. If you are sceptical, boil the water, let it cool, and store it in earthen or copper containers.