Covid-19 has caused an adverse effect on the minds of people, it has not only changed the way people live but also changed the way they think. Some of the important steps to protect yourself from the virus includes wearing a mask and washing hands multiple times in order to avoid contracting the virus. These steps are undeniably important and necessary but along these lines provision of safe water, sanitation and hygienic conditions also play an essential role in protecting human health in this current COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, an Indian water purifier company made an advertisement claiming to purify water from COVID-19 with their RO water technology. According to media reports it was stated that this water purification system ‘disinfected’ output water and other personal use items by killing coronavirus, this claim was however false and the company had to withdraw the ad for legal reasons as it was only a marketing gimmick. However, taking this into account it is important to ask if the technology in water purifier systems can actually kill the COVID-19 virus? We will now find out.
COVID-19 and water safety:
With a growing population, the demand for water has increased significantly causing a shortage of clean drinking water to many areas. During this time the provision of safe drinking water is essential and crucial. Apart from this, there are studies that have found that the virus can be detected in the water and sewage. So, it is mandatory to ensure having consistent purified water in communities, homes, healthcare facilities, marketplaces, schools, and colleges to prevent human to human transmission of the coronavirus.
Covid-19 & RO Water Purifiers:
Recently in India, the use of commercial RO water purifiers was banned due to its harmful effects on the environment and humans. The order had come after water purification system experts realized that if the total dissolved solids, or TDS, are less than 500 milligrams per litre, an RO system will not be useful but will result in removing important minerals and cause undue wastage of water. But there had been a delay in implementing the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order banning RO purifiers as the Ministry of Environment and Forests has expressed its inability to complete this exercise due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. This ban is said to be put into place by January 2021 but not much information has been given regarding the dates of implementation for this ban. As the pandemic itself had such a huge impact on everyone’s day to day life, not many people were even aware of this ban and RO water purifier companies till date are marketing their products online without informing customers about the upcoming ban.
Could Coronavirus spread via bottled water?
Usually, it is very unlikely that you will find the virus to be present in the water itself but if you share the bottled water with someone else and reuse the bottle after someone with the virus has used it then yes, it is possible to contract the virus. Therefore, avoid sharing and reusing water bottles and instead invest in a water purifier for your home.
Can Water Purifier Detect the Covid-19 Virus?
No, there is no such technology in the water purification system to remove or detect the coronavirus. Although this outbreak paved a way for many marketing gimmicks which claimed to have removed or detected the virus from water purifiers. All these claims have been proven to be false by many scientists and medical professionals. So, to conclude, water filter systems cannot detect or remove the virus so don’t be fooled by false advertising. In order to drink purified and clean water, choose a home water filter which uses nanotechnology in water purifiers. Nanotechnology uses membranes to filter out impurities and turn the water into mineralised water which is widely considered to be the healthiest and purest drinking water which is fit for human consumption.
RO vs Nano
| Reverse Osmosis | Nanotechnology |
| Strips water of minerals | Retains all essential minerals |
| Wastes large amounts of water | Saves Water |
| Cannot catch many pesticides & volatiles | Removes all contaminants |
| Ineffective against chlorinated water | Chlorine resistant |
| Expensive cost | Cost effective |
