How to Remove Viruses from Drinking Water
What Viruses are in Water?
Contaminated water is linked to the transmission of diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, and polio.
Waterborne viruses and bacteria cause hundreds of millions of people to become afflicted with sickness each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers water-transmitted viruses to be a significant health concern worldwide.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "Potential health effects from ingestion of water contaminated with viruses are: Gastrointestinal illness (for example, diarrhea, vomiting, cramps), hepatitis, meningitis."
Viruses that spread through water include meningitis, gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, SARs, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, and Typhoid.
What Kills Viruses in Water?
Install UV Water Sterilizer System
UV water disinfection is the most powerful and effective way to remove 99.99% of viruses (and 99.9999% of bacteria and cysts). With UV light sterilizers, you have the option of a whole-house system, ensuring water at every faucet in the household is free of harmful microbes 24/7.
Boil Drinking Water for One Minute
Boiling water for at least one minute is an effective way to kill viruses in drinking water. But boiling water it is a time consuming and tedious process, thus usually used as a temporary fix during an emergency or “boil water advisory”.
Disinfect Water with Chlorine
Millions of households on private wells must regularly monitor their well water for viruses and bacteria. Chlorine and other chemicals can be used to “shock” or disinfect a well. But the amount of chlorine depends on the presence of biofilm, the depth of the well, the water pH, water temperature, etc.
Expert Tip
The UV system's effectiveness is dependent on correct system sizing and low sediment and turbidity/cloudiness in the water. A prefilter installed before a UV system is generally recommended.
Top-Rated UV Water Treatment Systems
VIQUA Arros 15-IHS22 UV Water Treatment System
- The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 includes two integrated prefilters to improve the taste and odor of your water.
- LED Status system indicator.
- All-in-one UV solution boasting added layers of water filtration and treatment.
- Streamlined installation and simple maintenance
- Safeguards ALL the water coming into your home.
VIQUA VH200-F10 UV SYSTEM
- Compact, yet powerful design treats water with UV light, plus includes an
- Integrated pre-filter that can remove sediment, dirt and rust for improved taste.
- Includes a lamp replacement timer.
- Proven UV system with premium-quality parts at a value price.
- Treats up to 9 gpm, perfect for a home with 1-3 bathrooms.
Remove Viruses from Water FAQs
Are UV Filters Necessary for City Water?
Even treated municipal water can contain low levels of viruses due to distribution-line contamination, aging infrastructure, or boil-water advisories. A whole home UV water purification system acts as a “final barrier” in your home, ensuring viruses are inactivated at the point-of-entry—protecting your entire household with continuous, chemical-free disinfection.
What is the most effective way to remove viruses from drinking water?
The most effective way to remove or inactivate viruses in drinking water is ultraviolet (UV) water purification. UV treatment disrupts the DNA of viruses—including norovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A, and enterovirus—so they can no longer reproduce or cause infection. Unlike chemical disinfectants, UV neutralizes viruses instantly and without altering the taste or odor of your water.
Can boiling water eliminate viruses?
Yes, boiling water for at least one full minute can kill most viruses. However, boiling is not practical for daily, whole-home water use. For continuous protection at the tap or point-of-entry, a UV water filtration system offers consistent, automatic virus inactivation without the need for heat, chemicals, or storage.
Do standard water filters remove viruses?
Most standard water filters—such as carbon filters, pitcher filters, and sediment cartridges—do not remove viruses, because viruses are too small to be captured by typical filter media. To achieve true protection from bacteria, viruses, and pathogens, these filters should be paired with a UV water purification system, which provides a final barrier of defense against waterborne pathogens.
How to Remove Viruses from Water During an Emergency
The US Government recommends that to prepare for a pandemic, storm or other natural disaster, households should store a 2-week supply of water and food. And the need for making water safe from bacteria and viruses is more common than you might realize. Every day, hundreds of boil water notices are issued in cities throughout the U.S. With an installed UV water filter system, there is no need to boil water or any of the methods listed below.
1) Boil Water: While boiling water for one minute is one of the surest ways to kill viruses in drinking water, it is often not possible during an emergency because an energy source is needed to heat the water.
2) Household Bleach: You can also use unscented household bleach to disinfect water during an emergency, applying two drops of bleach per quart of water.
3) Gravity Water Filter: Typical water filters do NOT remove viruses and bacteria. But systems such as the Outback Emergency Water Filtration system have the right filters to protect against 99.99% of all viruses and 99.9999% of bacteria. The system has been used worldwide since 2003 by relief organizations such as the Red Cross and Peace Corps.
Emergency Water Filtration
The Outback Emergency Water Filter System meet US EPA standards for virus reduction and requires no electricity to operate. Check out the Outback test results. The Outback has been thoroughly tested for virus reduction.
Top-Selling UV Water Filter Systems
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Economical UV Treatment
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Lamp Life LED Display
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9 gpm UV for Small Home
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UV Dose Sensor
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Lamp Life LED Display
- 18 gpm Monitored UV
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Includes 5-Mic Pre-Filter
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Lamp Life LED Display
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9 GPM Water Treatment
