DIY Water Filtration Methods for Safe Drinking Water
Access to safe drinking water is crucial for health and survival, especially in emergencies or when accessing clean water is challenging. This article explores three effective DIY methods for filtering and disinfecting water, ensuring it's safe for consumption.
Disinfecting Water
Equipment Needed: Clean pot and storage containers Cloths or coffee filters Chlorine bleach (5-6% sodium hypochlorite) Solar bottles (PET)
1. Get a clean pot and storage containers: Avoid using bottles that previously held milk or fruit juice, as sugars can promote bacterial growth. Clean bottles thoroughly with dish soap or sanitize with 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water.
2. Strain your water: Use a cloth or coffee filter to remove sediment and debris. Let the water sit in bottles for several hours to allow heavy particles to settle.
3. Boil your water: Fill a pot with water, bring to a rolling boil, and let it boil for at least one minute. Adding oxygen to the water by pouring it back and forth between containers can enhance taste. Use this method if you don't have other resources, like bleach.
4. Chlorinate your water: Using 16 drops of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, stir and let it stand for 30 minutes. Ensure a slight bleach odor, as untreated water is unsafe to drink.
5. Solar water disinfection (SODIS): Fill PET bottles with water, close them tightly, and place them in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours. This method uses the sun's UV rays to disinfect the water. Optimal results occur on conductive surfaces like tin roofs.
Filtering Water
Materials Needed: Cloth or coffee filters Empty soft drink bottles, gravel, sand, charcoal
1. Pour water through a cloth or coffee filter: This method removes sediment and debris but is only the first step in filtration process. It makes the water less cloudy, but not safe to drink.
2. Buy filtering materials in advance: Gravel, sand, and charcoal can be bought from hardware, home improvement, and pet stores. Activated filter carbon improves taste and removes chemicals and pesticides.
3. Build a bio-filter: Cut soft drink bottles in half, nestle them upside down, and add filter materials like sand, charcoal, and gravel. Gravel and sand remove contaminants, while charcoal improves taste and removes chemicals.
4. Pour water through your filter: Filter the water slowly through the top, allowing it to pass through the layers. Run the process a few times to get drinkable water. Charcoal may give the water a slightly gray color, but as long as it's clear, it's safe to drink.
5. Disinfect water after filtering: Boil or chlorinate well-filtered water to ensure it's safe from bacteria and viruses.
Distilling Water
Supplies Needed: Large stock pot with a lid Cup, twine, and fishing line
1. Gather supplies to make a simple distillation system: A commercial system might be expensive, but DIY methods are practical. Get supplies together in advance and practice the method to ensure success.
2. Tie a cup to the pot's lid: Use twine to tie the cup to the pot's lid so that it hangs below when the lid is inverted, ensuring the cup is upright.
3. Check the depth of the cup: Mark the pot to ensure you can fit the cup correctly. The pot should be at least half-full, but not more, to allow space for the condensation.
4. Boil the water for at least 20 minutes: This process kills microorganisms, removes heavy metals, salts, and other chemicals. The vapor that condenses into the cup is pure and safe to drink.
Distillation is a thorough method that eliminates most contaminants, making the water safe without the need for additional treatment. This makes it ideal for emergency situations when other filtration methods may not be available.
By using these DIY water filtration and disinfection methods, you can ensure that you have access to safe drinking water, even in challenging situations. These techniques are particularly useful for wilderness survival, natural disasters, or situations where clean water sources are scarce.