1. Boiling (Distillation), sedimentation and using of water purification systems.
Boiling is a way to purify water that has been used by humans for a long time. However, this method is limited as it requires the hiker to have specific items such as a pot to heat the water, a source of heat and sufficient fuel to maintain the fire. This makes this method susceptible to external effects such as heavy rain, or windy conditions that could limit the amount of water produced for the hiker.
Another method that can be used to purify water is sediment filtration. Compared to boiling of water to produce drinkable water, its much easier to salvage the materials needed to make the water, also if the hiker were to simply prepare this and bring it along during the hike, it will be much easier to collect water. This method is also low in cost as the materials needed is inexpensive and can be found in the wilderness.
Lastly, another method that can be used is to use water filtration systems such as lifestraw and aqua tabs. These methods can be costly, however are easy to use, requires minimal waiting time and portable. The water produced are also cleanly filtered of bacteria and sediments as well.
2. Desalination requires energy to remove salts from seawater, and thus are expensive. Instead, cheaper alternatives, such as hauling fresh water from a distance is used instead to produce potable drinking water.
3a. Service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures is a major source of lead in drinking water
3b. Research activities carried out in this chemistry building do not account for the elevated levels found in the water because the pipes that collect the polluted water and the treated water are 2 different pipes, and therefore, will not be affected.
4. Only water-soluble vitamins would be polar molecules. Fat-soluble vitamin will often have nonpolar sections. Polar covalent bonds attract to water through hydrogen bonding and may allow the molecules to dissolve in water, while nonpolar covalent bonds favor interactions with the nonpolar chains in lipids.