This is the most common question I get about water. The answer is, YES. People watch TV shows like Naked and Afraid, and they seem to be okay drinking boiled water. However, boiling water doesn’t necessarily kill all bacteria, nor does it get rid of any chemicals present in the questionable water. The best way to maximize safety drinking boiled water is as follows:
- Collect the water and let it settle
- Transfer the clear water into a pot or filter through a clean cloth, paper towel, coffee filter, or a natural filter that you make (I will write about natural filters and how to build them)
- Bring the water to a rolling boil for a few minutes (3-5 minutes is what I do, longer times at high elevation)
- Let the water cool
- Use a water filter to drink it or process it into a water storage container (like a water bottle)
