Water is essential for our survival, but not all water sources are safe. Understanding how to purify water to drink is as crucial for outdoor enthusiasts as is it is for emergency situations. In this article, we explore the easiest natural DIY water purification methods you can use to get safe drinking water whilst camping, hiking or if a natural disaster hits. We compare these methods with the ever popular LifeStraw water filter. After this 5 minute read you’ll never have to worry about finding safe drinking water again. Let’s dive in!
Why is it important to purify your drinking water?
Why it is so important to have clean drinking water?
Drinking impure water can pose serious health risks. Contaminated water could contain harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals. And lead to horrendous sickness like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. Purifying water safeguards your health and so you can hydrate safely in challenging situations.
Water purification is not just a matter of convenience; it is a matter of life and death. Worldwide, 785 million people lack access to clean drinking water. It’s a luxury that is not readily available. Instead, these people often have to rely on contaminated water sources, which can have devastating consequences for their health.
Risks of Drinking Impure Water
Drinking water that has not been properly purified can make you sick quickly.
Bacteria like E.coli or Salmonella can cause debilitating stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The stone cold opposite of what you need while camping, hiking or busy surviving a natural disaster.
Viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus can also be found in contaminated water and can also lead to serious illnesses.
Oh, and did we mention that parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium in dirty water can cause long-lasting digestive problems? Yep.
Benefits of Drinking Purified Water
On the other hand, drinking purified water has health benefits. Purification kills harmful microorganisms and removes impurities, making the water safe and better-tasting.
When hydration is vital to survival, water purification helps maintain your physical well being.
Survival is hard yakka. By purifying your water, you are taking a proactive step to protect yourself from illnesses that weaken you and rob you of the physical reserves you need to survive.
It’s even becoming popular to purify tap water using water filters at home.
What contaminants are lurking in your water?
Before we discuss the different purification methods, let’s familiarize ourselves with the common contaminants found in water sources. These can include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial pollutants. Being aware of the potential contaminants can help you make informed decisions when purifying water.
Bacteria are microscopic organisms that can cause various illnesses, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. They can enter water sources through fecal matter, contaminated soil, or animal waste. Viruses, on the other hand, are even smaller than bacteria and can cause diseases such as hepatitis A and norovirus. They are often spread through human or animal feces, making water sources vulnerable to contamination.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can cause diseases such as giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis. They are commonly found in lakes, rivers, and streams, and can enter water sources through fecal matter or contaminated soil. Algae, although not always harmful, can produce toxins that can contaminate water sources and cause health problems in humans and animals.
Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, can enter water sources through industrial waste, mining activities, or the corrosion of pipes and plumbing fixtures. These metals can have serious health effects, including damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Pesticides and herbicides, commonly used in agriculture, can also contaminate water sources and pose a risk to human health.
Industrial pollutants, such as chemicals and toxins from factories and manufacturing plants, can find their way into water sources through improper disposal or accidental spills. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.
How does water purification work?
To know how to purify water in any situation, you need to wrap your head around the science behind it. At its most basic, water purification is removing or killing contaminants from water to make it safe to drink. Here are the key concepts to know about:
Water purification typically involves processes such as filtration, boiling, distillation, or chemical treatment. These methods aim to remove or destroy harmful substances, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and chemicals. By understanding these principles, you can choose the most suitable water purification method for your specific situation.
Boiling is another effective method of water purification. By heating the water to its boiling point, which is 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit, harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites are killed. Boiling water for at least one minute, or three minutes at higher altitudes, ensures that most pathogens are eliminated, making the water safe for consumption.
Distillation is a more complex method of water purification. It involves heating the water to create steam, which is then collected and condensed back into liquid form. This process effectively removes impurities, including heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms, as they do not vaporize with the water. Distillation is particularly useful for removing contaminants that have a higher boiling point than water.
Chemical treatment is often used in conjunction with other purification methods. Common chemicals used include chlorine, iodine, and ozone. These chemicals are added to the water to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms. Chlorine, for example, is effective in destroying bacteria and viruses, while iodine is effective against protozoa. Ozone, a powerful oxidant, can effectively kill a wide range of microorganisms, making it a popular choice for water treatment.
How to purify water to drink: 4 methods to survive
When it comes to purifying water, there are 4 common methods to choose from:
Filtration
Filtration is one of the most commonly used methods of water purification. Because it’s easy to do.
It’s just passing water through a porous material, such as activated carbon or ceramic, to trap and remove impurities. This process effectively removes larger particles, sediment, and some microorganisms, making the water cleaner and safer to drink.
Some of our survival kit lists recommend packing a bandana, which doubles as a makeshift water filter.
Boiling
One of the simplest and most reliable methods is boiling water.
Boiling kills almost all pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. To effectively purify water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet elevation.
Remember, boiling does not remove chemical contaminants, so it’s best used when you suspect biological contamination.
Distillation
Distillation is another effective method. It involves heating water to create steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form, leaving behind contaminants. Distillation removes not only bacteria, viruses, and parasites but also heavy metals, salts, and other impurities. It requires additional equipment, so it’s not the easiest option to get purified water, in survival scenarios.
Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatment involves using disinfectants like chlorine or iodine to kill microorganisms in water. This method is portable, convenient, and widely used.
Chemical water treatment in a survival situation often involves using water purification tablets or drops, which typically contain iodine or chlorine. These techniques can serve as temporary solutions until you can access a more reliable purification method.
It’s worth knowing that chemical treatments may not effectively remove certain chemical contaminants. And it can leave an undesirable taste in the water.
When using iodine or choline tablets, follow instructions carefully and allow enough contact time for the chemicals to work effectively.
Using a LifeStraw Water Filter
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast or someone concerned about emergency preparedness, you may have heard of LifeStraw. This handy device lets you to drink directly from contaminated water sources without the need for additional purification methods. Here’s what you need to know about the LifeStraw water filter:
What is a LifeStraw Water Filter?
LifeStraw is a portable water filtration device designed to remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water. It uses advanced filtration technology, including a hollow fiber membrane, to remove 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of parasites.
The LifeStraw water filter is an excellent tool to have in your survival kit or during outdoor adventures.
How to Use a LifeStraw
Using a LifeStraw is so simple it’s practically idiot-proof. And that’s the beauty of it.
Just place one end of the straw into whatever water source you have available. Use the other end to drink from. The device filters out contaminants while allowing purified water to pass through.
Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and maintenance.
It’s a light-weight, compact convenient and efficient way to stay hydrated in challenging environments. So it’s a very popular water purification solution for survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros and Cons of Using a LifeStraw
Like any product, LifeStraw has its pros and cons.
On the positive side, it offers immediate access to clean water, it’s lightweight and portable, and it doesn’t require additional chemicals or equipment.
On the negative, it may not remove chemical contaminants in your water or improve the taste of the water at all. So weigh these factors and your specific needs before relying solely on the LifeStraw water filter for your water purification.
Water is so important to survival, we usually have more than one method to get clean water in our survival kits anyway.
2 common DIY water purification methods
While LifeStraw is a fantastic tool, what if you don’t have access to one?
If you’re out in the wild and need clean drinking water, making a DIY water filter can be a lifesaver.
Some simple knowledge of DIY water purification techniques can go a long way to securing your survival. Here’s how:
DIY Water purification methods Using Cloth, Sand, and Charcoal:
Improvised filters made from layers of cloth, sand, and charcoal can be used to remove larger particles and some bacteria from the water. If you have visibly dirty or muddy water, here’s how to filter it:
- Gather Your Materials:
- A piece of cloth (like a bandana, t-shirt, or sock)
- Sand (preferably clean, fine sand)
- Charcoal (from a campfire, but make sure it’s cooled down)
- A container (like a plastic bottle)
- Another container or cup to collect the filtered water
- Prepare the Container:
- Cut off the bottom out of the bottle to create a funnel shape.
- Layer the Cloth:
- Place the cloth at the narrow end of your container. This will act as the final barrier before the water drips out, catching any larger particles.
- Add the Charcoal:
- Crush the charcoal into small pieces or powder. The finer it is, the better it will filter out impurities.
- Place a layer of crushed charcoal on top of the cloth. This will help remove pathogens and improve the taste of the water.
- Add the Sand:
- On top of the charcoal, add a layer of sand. The sand will act as a finer filter, trapping smaller particles.
- Pour the Water:
- Slowly pour the water you want to filter into the top of your makeshift filter. As the water works its way through the sand and charcoal, impurities will be trapped, and cleaner water will drip out through the cloth into your collection container.
- Boil the Water:
- While this DIY filter will remove many impurities, it won’t get rid of all pathogens. To ensure the water is safe to drink, you should boil it for at least 10 minutes. This will kill off any remaining harmful bacteria or viruses.
Solar Disinfection (SODIS) Method to Purify Water
In nature, several natural elements can assist in purifying water. Sunlight can be used for solar disinfection (SODIS), where plastic bottles filled with water are exposed to the sun for several hours, effectively killing bacteria and viruses.
If you’re out in the wild and the sun is shining, you’ve got a powerful ally in your quest for clean water. Here’s how you can harness it:
- Gather Clear Plastic Bottles:
- You’ll need clear PET plastic bottles. These are typically used for soft drinks. The clearer the bottle, the better. Avoid colored or cloudy bottles as they can block the UV rays.
- Fill your bottles:
- Fill the bottles with the clearest water you can find. If the water is murky or has visible particles, you’ll need to pre-filter it using the method above, to remove the larger impurities.
- Oxygenate the Water:
- Before placing them in the sun, shake the bottles vigorously for about 20 seconds with the caps on. This helps to oxygenate the water, which can improve the disinfection process.
- Place the Bottles in Direct Sunlight:
- Lay the bottles flat on a reflective surface if possible, like a metal sheet or aluminum foil, to maximize the UV exposure. Ensure they’re in a location where they’ll receive direct sunlight for at least 6 hours. If it’s a cloudy day, you might need to leave them out for up to 2 days.
- Rotate the Bottles:
- Every couple of hours, give the bottles a bit of a shake and rotate them to ensure all sides get exposed to the sun.
- Wait and Let the Sun Do Its Work:
- The UV rays from the sun will kill pathogens in the water. As mentioned, on a sunny day, 6 hours should suffice. On cloudier days, leave the bottles out for a longer duration.
- Cool the Water:
- After the disinfection process, store the bottles in a cool place for a few hours. This can improve the taste of the water.
While SODIS is effective against many pathogens, it might not eliminate all contaminants, especially chemical ones. Always prioritize multiple methods of purification in your survival kit.
Recap
By now, you have learned the importance of water purification and how to obtain safe drinking water. Whether you choose to use a LifeStraw, DIY techniques, or natural methods, the key is to never rely on one method alone. Have several ways to purify water in your survival kit. Prioritizing your health and well-being by only consuming clean water an essential skill in your survival toolkit.