Importance of water purification during monsoon season
Kerala is famous for its water resources. During monsoon season, rate of water contamination also will increase. The common reasons of water contamination is discussed. Though, it is not practical to avoid all the contaminating elements, we can take some remedial measures. Also read about the various methods to be used to purify our available water.
We are blessed with about 42 rivers running across our state. Though, some of these are mere monuments, the remaining with its tributaries will be active during monsoon season. As monsoon intensifies, most of these rivers will be overflowing, causing serious damages to men and materials, arable land, along the coastal area. As the canals are filled with water, the low land area will get isolated altogether. Remember the popular saying "water, water everywhere – not a drop drinkable".
As our village areas are densely populated, the flood can cause serious damages. Water contamination will cause serious health problems. We must exercise extra caution against spreading epidemics.
Water contamination could be of various reasons. In village areas most of the toilets are not fitted with septic tanks, causing human excreta, the thrown away biological waste, pesticides used in fields etc could get mixed with ground water during flood. Using this water without proper treatment could be hazardous.
Our health authorities are of the opinion that the ecoli bacteria content is very high in our ground water.
Water purification is very much essential in such situation. There are various means to purify water. The water which we get from either our tube wells or wells used to have some odour and colour, which indicates the impurities dissolved in it. Methods to purify water
a) Keep water for some time to settle the sediments. Filter the clean water without disturbing the sediments.
b) Mix some bleaching power with water taken in a mug. Keep it for 1 hour to settle. Pour that clean water in to the well. Avoid using the well for one or two hours. (Try to use this procedure before going to bed)
c) Boil water at least for 15 minutes, cool and use (Most common and recommended method as it can kill most of the disease causing organisms).
d) Solar water disinfection method, In this method, the water is kept open in sunlight for 6 to 8 hours.
e) Use of commercial filters.
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