What physical method can be utilized to disinfect drinking water using temperature?

Boiling is a widely recognized physical method for disinfecting drinking water that utilizes temperature to eliminate pathogens. When water is brought to a rolling boil, it reaches a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) at sea level, which is sufficient to kill most bacteria, viruses, and parasites present in the water. This method is effective and straightforward, as it does not require the addition of chemicals and can be performed easily using commonly available heat sources.

In contrast, ultrasonic waves, while they can have certain applications in water treatment, do not specifically rely solely on the method of temperature for disinfection. Chlorination involves adding chemical disinfectants to water, which is a different method that doesn’t employ temperature as a means of disinfection. Filtration can remove suspended solids and some pathogens but is not a thermal method and may not effectively kill all microorganisms unless combined with additional treatment processes.