Solar Water Purification

Pure drinking water can be produced with natural energy from the sun. This process is known as passive-solar water distillation. A simple solar still can remove all kinds of contaminents such as bacteria and metals as well as salts. The only other approved water purification method is reverse osmosis which wastes water. You can distill your own water, and why you might ask? Because it's fun!

Solar Water distillation relies on the natural principles of evaporation, condensation, and presipitation. In an emergency situation this still can even be used to purify water extracted from plant matter and even human biological waste. The sources of water are endless.

First, you will need supplies:

1) 1 Gallon Ice Cream Bucket or similar container
2) Food quality plastic film
3) A heavy glass or mug which is shorter than the bucket you will be using.

First place the glass or mug into the middle of the bucket, then place your plant matter, or water to be purified into the bucket taking care not to spill any into the cup.

The cup is going to collect your purified water. After you have filled the bucket then you place the plastic wrap around the top of the bucket and place a small stone on the plastic wrap in the middle of the bucket directly above the glass or mug. And you have made your first portable solar still.

Be aware that this still works best on sunny hot days. There are a multitude of ways this can be used in a survival situation. Depending on the tools at your disposal you can use anything that contains moisture. This can be dirty water, green plant materials such as cactus in the desert, or even your own urine can be used to create purified drinking water using this method.