For decades we have been using a water purifier for home use. I do remember a time ages ago when a water purifier was not required. We used to live in a locality with 24 hours’ clean water supply. We could drink water straight from the tap. In the Winters that is. In the summers we had an earthen pot, the Matka, in which water would stay cool. It quenched the thirst much better than refrigerated water. Not only us but every one had a Matka apart from the fridge. The fridge would turn watery when the electricity would go off. And that was frequent. I think a Matka used natural sedimentation to purify water.

In due course of time the 24 hour water supply ran dry. We had restricted water supply in the mornings and evenings. Yet, we didn’t need a water purifier. We would store water in various pots and pans and a steel bucket. Gradually the quality of water deteriorated and we needed a water purifier for home use. It was an ultra violet water purifier, Aquaguard, by Eureka Forbes.

As time passed by RO Systems (Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers) came into the market. These were intially very expensive and used only in offices and factories. Now RO water purifiers for home use are easily available. Practically all flat dwellers in Gurgaon and Noida use an RO system. In Gurgaon people use RO Systems to clean the bore well water. It is a slow process. An RO system can cost twice as much as the UV system.

I wonder what chai pakoda made with water from an RO system will taste like. Sometimes when there is no electricity supply and the water purifier can’t be switched on or when there is no water supply we need to buy bottled water. Though it is called mineral water it is just water purified by one process or the other. It has a queer plastic taste to it that sticks in the mouth long after having sipped it.