Clean Water Starts at Home: Practical Solutions for Gandhinagar and Bengaluru

Clean water doesn’t always require complex systems. With the right habits and basic methods, households can dramatically reduce water contamination risks and protect health. Water contamination has become a growing concern in cities like Gandhinagar and Bengaluru, driven by factors such as aging pipelines, groundwater depletion, sewage mixing, industrial discharge, and inconsistent water quality across sources. But here’s the good news: while large-scale infrastructure changes take time, meaningful action can start at home today.

Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, let’s focus on what we can do.

1) Boiling: The Gold Standard

Boiling is one of the most reliable ways to kill:

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Parasites

How to do it right:

• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute

• At higher altitudes, boil for 3 minutes

• Let it cool naturally and store in a clean, covered container

Simple. Affordable. Highly effective.

2) Water Filters & Purifiers

A good water filter or purifier does much more than improve taste , it acts as a critical barrier between your family and invisible contaminants. In many urban homes, water quality varies daily due to mixed sources such as borewell water, tankers, and municipal supply. A purifier helps bring consistency and safety to every glass of water, regardless of where it comes from.

The key is choosing the right technology based on your water quality, not just buying the most expensive option. For areas with high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) or where water sources frequently change, a RO (Reverse Osmosis) system combined with UV or UF works best. RO removes excess salts, heavy metals, and dissolved impurities, while UV or UF ensures harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses are neutralized.

3) Disinfection

When boiling water is not possible due to time constraints, lack of fuel, or emergency conditions chemical disinfection becomes a reliable alternative. Chlorine has been widely used across the world to disinfect drinking water because it effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and many disease-causing organisms.

At home, this can be done in two simple ways:

• Using chlorine tablets (Emergency Use) , or

• Alum (phitkari)

After adding the disinfectant, the water must be mixed well and left to stand for at least 30 minutes before use. A faint chlorine smell indicates that the disinfection has worked.

This method is particularly valuable during water shortages, flooding, travel, natural disasters, or power cuts, when regular purification methods may not be available. While chemical disinfection is not ideal for everyday use, it is a critical emergency tool that every household should be aware of.

4) Sedimentation & Cloth Filtration

When water is visibly dirty or muddy, treating it immediately may not be effective. In such cases, sedimentation is the first and most important step. By allowing the water to sit undisturbed for a few hours, heavier particles like sand, soil, and organic matter naturally settle at the bottom.

Once the water becomes clearer, it should be gently poured through a clean cotton cloth or fine filter into another container. This simple method removes suspended particles and reduces turbidity, making further treatment far more effective.

However, it’s important to remember that sedimentation and cloth filtration alone do not make water safe to drink. They must always be followed by boiling or chemical disinfection to eliminate microorganisms. Used together, these steps significantly improve water quality and safety.

5) Clean Storage Tanks & Containers

Many water contamination issues occur after water enters the home, not at the source. Overhead and underground storage tanks can collect dust, algae, insects, and bacteria if they are not cleaned regularly.

To prevent this:

• Clean storage tanks at least once every six months

• Ensure tanks and containers are properly covered

• Use food-grade containers for storing drinking water

• Avoid dipping hands, cups, or ladles directly into storage vessels

Clean storage plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality clean storage truly means clean water.

6) Keep Countainers or Earthen Pots (Matka) & Kitchens Water Safe

Clean water isn’t just about purification , it’s also about how you store it. The right containers help prevent contamination, keep water fresh, and even improve taste. In many Indian homes, traditional matkas remain a favorite. Not only do they naturally cool the water, but their breathable walls also reduce bacterial growth when kept clean. Complement them with glass or food-grade plastic bottles for convenience and portability.

Tips for safe storage:

• Always cover containers to prevent dust, insects, and airborne germs.

• Use food-grade materials, avoid old or cracked plastic.

• Keep containers clean , wash them with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly every week.

• Store water away from direct sunlight to prevent algae growth.

A little care goes a long way: safe storage ensures that every sip you take is pure, fresh, and healthy.

Pro Tip: Pair good storage with periodic purification (boiling, filters, or UV) for maximum safety.

Clean Water Is a Daily Habit

Safe water is not achieved through one time actions , it comes from consistent, mindful practices. When households adopt simple habits like treating water properly, maintaining storage, and protecting drains, the benefits go far beyond individual homes.

• Health outcomes improve

• Communities become stronger

• Cities grow more resilient

In the long run, small actions repeated daily create lasting water security.