Thirsty Are Those Who Do Not Prep- Part 5, by The Grumpy Gunfighter

Survival Water Filtration, Purification, and Disinfection Methods (continued)

Without water, survival is impossible, even if you have a storage facility filled with bullets, bandaids, beans, and batteries. My family and I prep in the desert southwest and have taken action so that we won’t find ourselves thirsty in the event of a crisis.

In parts 2 and 3 of this article series, I thoroughly covered both professional drilled and hand dug wells. But once you have access to the water, you need to be sure it is safe to drink. So, in Part 4, we began looking at methods for survival water filtration, purification, and disinfection. We looked at boiling, building your own distillery, and two water filter systems– the Sawyer Mini and Web-Tex in-line filters. Today, we will wrap up this article series with more options for filtering, purifying, and disinfecting water in a survival situation.

LifeStraw

The LifeStraw is perhaps more well known than the Sawyer Mini and Web-Tex. However, it doesn’t necessarily have any more advantageous features over the other two. The LifeStraw is primarily meant to be used to suck water directly from water sources, but some models can be set up to gravity filter water using a water bladder. It weighs two ounces and is almost nine inches long, which is significantly larger than the Sawyer Mini and slightly longer than the Web-Tex.

The LifeStraw is rated to filter roughly 264 gallons and uses a hollow membrane filter to remove bacteria and protozoa. This is the same as the Sawyer Mini filter.

Cleaning the Filter

Much like the Sawyer, it is recommended to blow clean water back through the filter the opposite way of the flow to remove particles that build up along the hollow membranes. Cleaning the filter by blowing clean water back through it is a great way to extend the life of this filter.

Water That is Free of Silt and Mud

It is also recommended, with any of these three filters, to draw water that is free of silt and mud. This can be done by simply filtering the water initially through a handkerchief or rag before using the store-bought filter

Note on the LifeStraw

There is one note on the LifeStraw. This filter will not remove chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, and viruses.

How To Build Your Own Portable Water Filter

Now I will tell you how to build your own portable water filter. Below are the supplies you will need:

• One empty plastic two-liter bottle
• 2 cups of sand
• 2 cups of pea gravel
• 2 cups of activated charcoal
• 1 coffee filter or handkerchief
• 1 pocket knife
• 2 feet of wire, string, or paracord

Steps For Build Your Portable Water Filter

1. Using a pocket knife, puncture a small hole or slit in the cap of the 2-liter bottle for the filtered water to escape through.
2. Unscrew the lid to the 2-liter bottle of soda and cover the threads and mouth of the lid with the coffee filter or handkerchief. Screw the lid back over the threads to firmly secure the coffee filter or handkerchief over the opening of the bottle.
3. Using your knife you can cut around 90% of the base of the soda bottle. The remaining ten percent can act as a hinge to keep the base connected in case you want to use it as a lid for your water filter. This lid can be taped closed to keep the sand, pebbles, and charcoal secure while transporting the filter.
4. Pour two cups of activated charcoal into the newly opened base of the soda bottle, so that an inch or two of the charcoal completely covers the handkerchief or coffee filter. You can use charcoal remnants from a regular campfire, if that is all that is available; however, activated charcoal will be much more effective at absorbing toxins in the water. Activated charcoal has been treated to be extremely porous in order to absorb and trap a wide variety of toxins. You can buy activated charcoal online or make it at home. A fellow SurvivalBlog contributor detailed the process of creating high quality charcoal that can be used for water filtration– “Make Your Own Retort Style Charcoal”, by Dan in Alabama.
5. After the charcoal has been poured in, level it out by shaking the bottle back and forth slightly so it creates an even layer of charcoal. Then repeat this process with the fine sand and again with the pea gravel.
6. Once the layers are even, you can cut two small holes on either side of the bottle near where the base was cut open. Use your string, wire, or paracord to hang this filter off of a tree branch so that the screw top lid is closest to the ground. Dirty water can be poured into the sliced opening and will filter through the layers of rock, sand, activated charcoal, and coffee filter. The water will then drip out of the slit at the bottom of the cap and can be collected in an open sterile container. This method of filtration will greatly increase the chances of removing bacteria and chemicals from your drinking water.

Chemical Purification Tablets

What Chemical Purification Tablets Are and What They Do

If you aren’t able to boil water for logistical or safety reasons, there are a variety of chemical disinfectants that can be used to kill harmful bacteria and viruses in drinking water. Many hikers and outdoors enthusiasts alike appreciate how simple and light water purification tablets are. When used properly, these tablets can last years and can make bacteria ridden water safe to drink. However, it is important to know the conditions and limitations of what these chemicals can and can’t do. In addition, it is important to be aware of some of the health impacts that can stem from using these chemicals in large doses or for long periods of time. Having this skill set can keep your family from making potentially harmful mistakes when using emergency water disinfection methods.

Chlorine Dioxide Tablets

Chlorine dioxide tablets are generally regarded as the most effective of the three main chemical purification methods. They can treat cryptosporidium, viruses, and bacteria. However, they can not remove chemicals and turbidity. Also, it takes these around four hours to properly purify drinking water. They can be stored for roughly five years, if properly kept in packaging, and can be used in place of iodine for those individuals who may have an allergy or thyroid problems.

Chlorine Tablets

Chlorine tablets can treat the Giradia Lamblia parasite. Yet, they can not remove cryptosporidium, chemicals, or turbidity.

Out of the three most common chemical purification tablets, chlorine tends to work the fastest, but be sure to follow the usage instructions on the packaging.

Chlorine treated water can become contaminated again over time, if the treated water is not used because the chemical will eventually evaporate allowing the bacteria to regrow in the stored water. Furthermore, chlorine can be used in place of iodine for those individuals who may have an allergy or thyroid problems.

Iodine Tablets

Iodine tablets can treat the Giradia Lamblia parasite, but they can not treat cryptosporidium, chemicals, turbidity, or viruses.

It takes roughly 30 minutes to purify 75 degree water. Iodine will take longer to purify the colder the water. For example, it takes around a full hour to adequately purify water that is 45 degrees.

Using Iodine will alter the taste of the water you are purifying; however, you can use Iodine Neutralizer tablets to counterbalance the taste. A small amount of table salt and products high in vitamin C, such as Tang, can also be used to drastically improve the taste of iodine in the drinking water. Make sure to add these products after the water has been purified.

Notes on Iodine Tablets

Iodine is necessary for thyroid function. However, iodine tablets should only be taken by those with a healthy, normal functioning thyroid and shouldn’t be taken for over six weeks. Too much iodine can cause complications with the thyroid and cause conditions such as hypothyroidism, which prevents the thyroid gland from producing important hormones the body needs.

Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging indicating how many tablets should be used to purify the desired amount of water. Women who are pregnant or over the age of 50 or persons with an allergy to shellfish should avoid using iodine as a purification method, as it will likely cause complications to the thyroid or stimulate an allergic reaction.

Iodine tablets should be kept in a dark cool container as exposure to sun can damage their effectiveness. Additionally, it is important follow the instructions that explain the effective time frame of the tablets as they tend to expire quickly after opening.

Resources: Ultimate Guide to Water Purification Tablets, Princeton University OA guide to water purification

House Liquid Bleach To Disinfect Water

Although the tablets listed above are the preferred method of chemical disinfection, regular unscented household liquid bleach can be used to help purify water if no other sources are readily available. If the water in question is particularly cloudy or turbid, let the water settle and filter the water.

Directions For Using Liquid Bleach To Disinfect Water

The dosage chart below illustrates the appropriate amount of chlorine drops for creating up to eight gallons of purified drinking water. This dosage chart is intended to be used for room temperature water. However, if the water is cold, double the amount of drops, as chlorine is less effective in lower temperatures.

Using a clean eye dropper or teaspoon, mix in household bleach that has been kept for under a year in a cool, dry place. Stir in the bleach to the clean room temperature water, and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes before use.

The EPA states that four parts per million (PPM) and below is the safe amount of chlorine to consume in drinking water. To test the chlorine (PPM), there are inexpensive and easy to use test strips. The SenSafe test strips have worked well for me.

Purification Dosage Chart (from EPA)

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Ultraviolet light or UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It makes up about 10% of all the light generated from the sun. Humans synthesize vitamin D from the UV rays in sunlight, which helps strengthen our bones. However, too much UV light radiation also causes sunburns, which can lead to skin cancer.

There are a number of products on the market that can eliminate bacteria by exposing water to intense UV light. These products come in the form of wand lights. They use UV light with a short wavelength that kills microorganisms by destroying their nucleic acids. This short wavelength UV light can eliminate bacteria, viruses, pathogens, and molds from drinking water. The largest drawback to using these methods in a survival situation is that they require electricity or batteries to operate.

Resource:-Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

The SteriPen For Outdoor Use

The Steripen is a pocket-sized, 3.2 ounce, UV light that can purify a liter of water in 90 seconds. A SteriPen can be used on up to 8,000 liters. However, it will need new batteries after roughly 50 liters.

The SteriPen will kill giardia, bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. It will not remove chemicals, heavy metals, or turbidity from drinking water, and it will not impact the taste of the water.

I have found it lightweight and simple to use. It’s biggest downfall is its reliance on batteries. So, it’s long-term effectiveness in a SHTF situation is limited, but it can act as a great tool in your tool box for patrols or perhaps your initial trek to your bug out location.

See Also:

• 1 – Thirsty Are Those Who Do Not Prep- Part 1, by The Grumpy Gunfighter
• 2 – Thirsty Are Those Who Do Not Prep- Part 2, by The Grumpy Gunfighter
• 3 – Thirsty Are Those Who Do Not Prep- Part 3, by The Grumpy Gunfighter
• 4 – Thirsty Are Those Who Do Not Prep- Part 4, by The Grumpy Gunfighter

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 78 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
6. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 78 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.