Water filtration systems that can remove both biological and chemical contaminants from water are among the most vital of all survival gear. Remember, you can only last 3 days or so without water.
A water filtration system can render water safe to drink, in some cases even from questionable sources. But what if you don’t have one and suddenly find yourself in a SHTF situation?
No worries; just make a solar still. You can do so from some odds and ends that you’ll find in nearly any kitchen.
What Is a Solar Still?
A solar still is a type of distillation system that uses the power of the sun to evaporate water, purifying it, and then capturing it.
The great thing about solar stills is that, since contaminants can’t follow water through the processes of evaporation and condensation, the water rendered at the end of it is almost always completely safe to drink with no further treatment.
And the best part about the prospect of making a solar still is how easy and accessible it is. Here’s what you need:
A large bowl, a gallon or larger
A smaller bowl that will nest in the larger bowl
A small stone
Some cut greenery
An elastic band that fits around the outside of the larger bowl
Some clear, thin, flexible plastic, such as cellophane or saran wrap
As for building and using the solar still, that process is fairly straightforward too.
How to Make and Use One
To make a solar still, start by placing your smaller bowl inside your larger bowl. The smaller bowl is where you will actually capture your potable water.
Then cut some greenery outside from local plants. Use deciduous greenery if possible because it holds much more water than evergreen foliage. Also, use nonpoisonous plants just to be safe. Solar distillation will in theory remove toxins from the water, but you don’t want to risk it.
Then, place all of the greenery in the bottom of the larger bowl, around the outside of the smaller bowl.
Stretch the plastic wrap over the top of the larger bowl; it must be airtight and watertight. Then, use the elastic band to secure the plastic wrap around the sides of the larger bowl. Again, this seal must be watertight, and somewhat airtight under low pressure.
Now all you need to do is place the whole thing in a bright, level location where it will get plenty of direct sunlight. The last step is to place a small stone in the center of the plastic wrap over the smaller bowl.
What will happen is that, as the sun heats up the inside of the still, the foliage within will release moisture. This moisture will condense on the sides and top of the bowl, on the underside of the plastic wrap.
Since you placed a small stone in the center over the smaller bowl, it should be lower there. As the condensation accumulates, it will run to the center and then drip into the smaller bowl.
After a few hours, you can collect the water from the smaller bowl and replace the cut vegetation if you will still be using the still.
The water captured should be completely safe to drink.
Where to Bypass This and Get a Water Filtration System
Don’t have the time to build a solar still? That’s fine, especially considering that the use of one is a slow process and it only generally yields small quantities of water at a time.
Instead, get a water filtration device you can stuff in your bugout bag. They’re lighter, easier to use, and don’t need to be constructed before use, making them much more convenient in a crisis.
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