How long should water be boiled to disinfect it?

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Multiple Choice

How long should water be boiled to disinfect it?

Explanation:
Boiling water disinfects by inactivating pathogens, so you time it from when the water is at a rolling boil. Boil for about 3 to 5 minutes to ensure a reliable level of disinfection for most ordinary conditions. This 3–5 minute window provides a safety margin to inactivate bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that might be present, especially if the water is a bit turbid. Shorter times, like 1–2 minutes, may not guarantee inactivation in all cases, while longer times (6–12 minutes) don’t add meaningful extra protection and simply waste energy. After boiling, let the water cool and store it in clean, covered containers.

Boiling water disinfects by inactivating pathogens, so you time it from when the water is at a rolling boil. Boil for about 3 to 5 minutes to ensure a reliable level of disinfection for most ordinary conditions. This 3–5 minute window provides a safety margin to inactivate bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that might be present, especially if the water is a bit turbid. Shorter times, like 1–2 minutes, may not guarantee inactivation in all cases, while longer times (6–12 minutes) don’t add meaningful extra protection and simply waste energy. After boiling, let the water cool and store it in clean, covered containers.

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