What is the minimum time water should be boiled to disinfect it at elevations below 5,000 feet?

Boiling water is one of the most effective methods for disinfecting it, as the heat kills pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. At elevations below 5,000 feet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends boiling water for at least one minute to ensure disinfection. This is sufficient time to reach a temperature that effectively kills most harmful organisms, given that at sea level, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit).

The recommendation of one minute is based on studies that demonstrate this duration is adequate to kill pathogens in water. If the water is especially cloudy or has a significant amount of organic material, it is often advised to boil it for a longer period, but for clear water at elevations below 5,000 feet, one minute is generally recognized as the standard.