With the way things are going today in our society, you might be tempted to move to the woods and just forget about the modern world.
However, going back to tradition can be dangerous. Not only will you have to fend for yourself, but you’ll also need to provide yourself with a clean source of water.
And that can be tougher than at first glance.
With that being said, here are a few ways to help you purify water in the wild so that you can get your daily dose of necessary hydration.
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1. Boiling
This is by far the easiest way to purify water. It’s simple, safe, and effective. Boiling water kills parasites, bacteria, viruses, and plenty of other pathogens that might be lurking inside of it.
However, it won’t get rid of sediment and other contaminants since those are heavy enough and won't evaporate through steam.
Fortunately, you can get rid of sediment by screening your water through a cloth or a strainer. However, do be careful not to burn yourself.
And also, don’t forget that the altitude can play a role in the time it takes for you to boil your water.
2. Distillation
Many chemical contaminants, radiation, salts, lead, and heavy metals will leave your expensive filter damaged beyond repair.
In such cases, the only viable solution is to distill your water to get rid of those contaminants and get the pure water you're after.
Water can be heated into steam, and the steam can then be captured to create relatively clean water, despite its prior forms of contamination, including radioactive fallout.
However, keep in mind that distillation won’t remove volatile oils and certain organic compounds. These of course are unwanted when it comes to consuming water.
Still, most other contaminants will be long gone once you’ve distilled the water. Combine distillation with filtration to obtain the best results. Speaking of which…
3. Filtration
If you’re going to filter water in the great outdoors, you might as well go ahead and browse through WaterStore water filters.
Of course, installing a whole-house filtration system also works as long as you’ve got a home already built somewhere in the wild – and, of course, a well, or any other flowing water source.
Keep in mind to look at all the options that you’ve got going for you, as there are multiple types of filters available on the market today, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Some filters are great for sediment, others are better at removing chemicals, and others do a great job of removing hard minerals and solid contaminants.
4. Disinfecting Tablets
Yes, these are not available in the wild. However, if you plan on moving to the forest or to a remote cabin in the mountains, you’re going to have to be prepared.
Do as preppers do. Stockpile all of the stuff that you’re going to need, and that is not perishable. Disinfection tablets are among them.
Use them whenever you need to disinfect water, and you don’t have the possibility to boil, filter, or distill. They’re highly effective.
5. SODIS
SODIS is an acronym for solar water disinfection, and when done properly, it’s a very effective method for killing pathogens in water. The key is to do it right though.
Fill a clear and smooth plastic bottle with water. Twist on the lid, and place the bottle on its side in direct sunlight for six hours to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses.
Note that this method works because the plastic acts to trap heat from the sun inside the bottle, and the UVA rays pasteurize the water. This is science at its finest when it comes to taking a natural resource and making it better.
The Bottom Line
These five ways to kill bacteria, get rid of sediment, and filter out other contaminants will work wonders for you in the wild.
Have you ever tried one of these before? Let us know in the comments below what your experience was like.
And if you haven’t tried them before, well, it’s the perfect time to try them out before packing your bags and moving in the woods or deep in the mountains.
In any case, you’ll want to keep this knowledge handy for future reference.