From boiling to water purification - How people evolved their water habits?
A few decades ago, the sound of a whistling kettle meant one thing: someone was purifying water. Boiling was the trusted method in Indian households, believed to kill all germs and make water safe to drink. Fast forward to today, and the quiet hum of a water purifier has taken its place, symbolising how far we’ve come in our relationship with clean water.
India’s water habits have changed dramatically over time, shaped by urbanisation, new contaminants, and greater awareness about health. Let’s trace this transformation, from traditional boiling to advanced smart filtration systems, and understand why modern families now see water purification as essential, not optional.
The boiling era: safety through simplicity
For generations, boiling water was the simplest and most accessible way to ensure safety. Families relied on stoves or kerosene burners to kill visible germs and bacteria. This method worked, but only to a point.
Boiling water does kill many microorganisms, but it doesn’t remove chemical impurities, heavy metals, or dissolved solids. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contaminants like arsenic, lead, and fluoride can survive boiling and pose long-term health risks. In several parts of India where groundwater contamination is high, these pollutants remain even after prolonged boiling.
So while the kettle ensured microbial safety, it couldn’t guarantee chemical purity. As industrialisation and pollution grew, Indian families began looking for better ways to protect their drinking water.
The rise of water filters and candles: convenience meets innovation
By the 1990s, gravity-based water filters entered Indian kitchens. These early systems — often called “candle filters”, offered a quick, electricity-free way to strain visible impurities. For the first time, water purification felt easier than boiling pots every morning.
However, these filters had limitations. They mainly trapped larger particles like dust or sand, while microscopic contaminants and dissolved chemicals slipped through. Still, they marked the beginning of India’s transition toward mechanical purification and gave birth to a new concept: clean water at the turn of a tap.
The RO revolution: a leap towards complete purification
The early 2000s brought the next big shift: Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology. As cities expanded and water quality worsened, households started depending on borewells, tankers, and mixed water sources, all with varying TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels. RO systems were designed for exactly that challenge.
An RO-based water purifier works by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes up to 99% of dissolved salts, heavy metals, and microorganisms. For many urban families, this was a revelation which is pure, safe, and great-tasting water straight from the tap.
Advanced models such as Pureit Revito Prime and Pureit Vital Max represent this evolution perfectly. These devices use multi-stage purification, combining RO, UV, and MF filtration to remove heavy metals, microplastics, and pathogens. They’re equipped with Smartsense indicators that alert users before filter expiry, ensuring 100% safe* drinking water at all times.
In a world where contamination often hides in plain sight, a reliable water purifier has become the most important appliance in every home. Whether it’s the electric Pureit Revito Prime or the non-electric Pureit Classic, the message is clear: safe water is no longer a luxury, it’s a daily essential!
Visit www.pureitwater.com to know more.
Disclaimers:
*Safety from viruses & bacteria as per USEPA guidelines
