In this post you’ll learn how to purify water using proven methods.
When disaster strikes, unless you have stored water for emergencies, safe drinking water isn’t always going to be available. However, water that is dirty and/or contaminated could be; and it might be the only water you have!
Drinking contaminated water is just as dangerous as not drinking any at all. If it’s a tossup between living and dying you really won’t have a choice, you simply have to drink water in order to survive.
Water purification saves lives. Should you ever find yourself in a survival situation where you have no choice but to drink whatever water you can find, knowing how to purify water could very well save your life!
Let’s dive right in!
Why Knowing How to Purify Water is So Important?
Surviving for a few weeks without food may well be uncomfortable but it is certainly possible. If absolutely necessary. Surviving without water for any longer than 3 or 4 days however, is extremely difficult. And beyond 8 days it is virtually impossible.
Needless to say, it is imperative that you find water as quickly as possible in order to ensure your survival.
Unfortunately, in many survival situations, particularly those in urban locations, it is highly likely that a lot of the water you will find is not going to be 100% safe to drink, not even close to it!
You may start to think yourself lucky because you have what seems like a nice clear stream, river, or a lake nearby. But nowadays, as clean as they may seem, without proper filtration and purification none of those sources can be deemed ideal for drinking water.
If you know how to purify water, then even the dirtiest of ponds can provide you with a lifeline of potable (drinking) water. Ensuring your survival and that of those you are responsible for.
Understanding the Difference Between Purification and Filtration
Before covering the different ways to purify water it is very important to UNDERSTAND the difference between purification and filtration.
Filtration will remove debris from water. Depending upon the level of filtration, it can also remove waterborne parasites and bacteria, but not viruses. As such, filters will make water much safer to drink; but not 100% safe.
Only purification will be able to eliminate viruses as well. Doing so will make water completely safe to drink.
However, it is very often the case that any water you’re intending to purify will contain a lot of debris. In which case, it is always advisable to filter your water removing as much as possible before any purification treatment.
How to Purify Water – Methods
Water purification is the process whereby all dangerous pathogens and viruses are destroyed, making water safe to drink.
There are basically three ways to purify water: treating it with chemicals, boiling it, or exposure to sustained ultraviolet light.
Boiling water
Boiling water is the most basic of purification methods but also one of the most effective. One minute of a rolling boil (three if at high altitude) is all that is needed. That will be enough to purify water according to EPA guidelines.
As simple as this sounds, there are downsides. You will require heat of some kind in order to boil your water. If you don’t have the equipment to boil your water or you are unable to have or start a fire for whatever reason, then you will have to look at alternatives.
However, if you are able to boil water then you should also make allowances for water loss. Boiling will lose a percentage of your water through evaporation. This may not be a problem if water is plentiful. If water is in short supply, an alternative method of purification may again be needed.
Water purification tablets
One of the easiest ways to purify water is to use water purification tablets. Water purification tablets are most commonly made from chlorine dioxide, although iodine tablets are also available.
They are extremely simple to use. In most cases just drop a tablet into a quart of water and wait for the recommended time. This will generally be around the 4 hour mark. After which your water will be completely safe to drink. Any harmful pathogens and parasites will have been completely eliminated.
The obvious downside to using chlorine water purification tablets is the time that it takes to make the water safe. They are also generally more expensive than other purification options. An issue if your budget is small.
However, there are benefits to using chlorine purification tablets. They have a long shelf life. And they don’t leave a nasty taste in the water once the purification process has completed. Unlike iodine! They are also perfect for storing in your emergency gear or your bug out bag.
Treating Water with Iodine drops
Iodine is more effective than chlorine at purifying water. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice!
Iodine is readily available in small bottles which are perfect for storing in your emergency gear. Not only can iodine be used to purify water but it is also a great anti-sceptic solution. Useful for cleaning and sterilizing cuts and grazes.
When used for water purification you simply need to add around 5 drops for each quart of water. 10 drops if the water is extremely cloudy. Thirty minutes is generally enough time for the iodine to kill off anything harmful lurking in the water!
Unfortunately, iodine does leave a bad taste in the water which takes some getting used to. This is fine for adults but not ideal when you are trying to keep young children hydrated.
As well as leaving a bad taste, iodine is not safe for pregnant women. Or people with shellfish allergies.
When you consider the bad taste and the limitations as to who can safely use it, iodine may not sound like the most suitable purification method. But if you have nothing else and there is a bottle of iodine tincture in your first aid kit you do at least have a back up option.
As mentioned, you can buy iodine tablets rather than using the tincture. These tablets have been produced specifically for the hiking and backpacking crowd. They work in basically the same way as the chlorine tablets, only much quicker and much more effectively. Although you will still have to stomach the bad taste. They are also less expensive than their chlorine counterparts!
Chlorine bleach
Chlorine in any form will kill all harmful pathogens found in water. Common household chlorine bleach will certainly fit the bill. Which is ideal as most households will have some in their cleaning cupboards.
Household bleach is available in different strengths. So the number of drops needed per quart will vary depending upon the strength of your bleach. If your bleach has a strength of 1% or less, then 10 drops will be needed per quart of water, 2-3% 4-5 drops, 4-6% 2 drops.
It is best to use unscented bleach if you can. But whatever you have at hand will be good in an emergency.
How to Purify Water using Solar Water Disinfection
If you want to know how to purify water using the simplest and most affordable method out there. Then the SODIS method is what you’re looking for. Disinfecting water with sunlight, or SODIS (solar water disinfection) is considered extremely effective in eliminating most pathogens. Using nothing but a plastic water bottle and direct sunlight it’s also one of the simplest ways to do so too.
This method works because of the ability of plastic to contain heat and UV radiation from the sun. Both of which work effectively at killing off bacteria and other unwanted pathogens. Clear PET bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) are your best choice. They will trap the heat and allow the UV radiation to pasteurize your drinking water.
To make the method work, simply fill up a few water bottles and expose them to direct sunlight for about 6 hours. Maximize exposure time by laying the bottles on their side. Once the process is completed, most common viruses, bacteria and pathogens should be eliminated.
The SODIS method has been proven scientifically to work. It’s currently supported by WHO (World Health Organization), and recommended by UNICEF and the Red Cross as the simplest method for achieving sterilized drinkable water in developing countries.
Water filtration
Water filters, as mentioned at the start of this post, will remove protozoa and bacteria. But viruses are way too small for the filtration process to catch, no matter how good the filter.
However, this level of filtration may be enough. It will depend on where you intend to use your filter though.
Generally, water in North America is classed as filtration safe. This means it does not carry any of the life threatening viruses. Unlike water found in other, undeveloped parts of the world. This is why survival water straws such as the Lifestraw and the Sawyer Mini are so popular in the US. These filtration straws are extremely effective at what they do.
Filtration does have its benefits. It is much quicker than purification. Equipment such as personal survival straws enable you to drink immediately. Rather than having to wait for added chemical treatments to do their work or for water to boil and then cool. Also, filtration has no effect upon the flavor of the water. Unlike some chemical purification methods, namely iodine.
At the end of the day water filters work. They’re not guaranteed to be 100% effective in making water safe to drink. But if there is no other way to purify your water and you’re in the US or Canada you’ll likely be fine with a survival filter.
However, if you have the means to purify your water. Then do so! It is always better to err on the side of caution.
