You can survive three weeks without food, but barely three days without water. And yet almost nobody has a plan if the tap water suddenly stops or becomes contaminated. This week you’ll learn how to make clean drinking water with simple means, without having to buy expensive survival filters.
🌱 Series: Self-sufficient in 52 weeks
Every week a small, achievable tip that you can apply immediately. No expensive survival gadgets or unrealistic scenarios, but practical steps with which you better prepare your family for power cuts, chaos or unexpected crises.
- Find everything from the series here: Self-sufficient in 52 weeks
Why water is important
A disaster doesn’t have to be big to leave you without water. A burst pipe, contamination or a few days without electricity are sufficient. Water is the first thing you want to secure – even before food or comfort.
3 ways to purify water
1. Boiling – the simplest and cheapest way
Bring water to the boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes if you’re at altitude). This kills bacteria, viruses and parasites. Use an ordinary cooker, campfire or camping stove.
- Tip: afterwards, pour it into a bottle with a lid and let it cool with the lid on. This keeps it clean for longer.
2. Filtering with simple means
No professional filter to hand? A cotton cloth, coffee filter or even a clean sock can help to remove dirt particles. That doesn’t remove bacteria, but does make the water clearer and easier to boil or disinfect.
3. Chemical disinfection
Water purification tablets are cheap, compact and long-lasting. One tablet per litre of water, wait half an hour, and you have drinkable water. Ideal for on the go or if the gas runs out.
🧷 Want to know more? We previously wrote an in-depth article about water purification
Checklist Week 2
✅ Practise boiling and safely storing water
✅ Keep a cloth or filter material with your emergency supplies
✅ Purchase a pack of water purification tablets
✅ Note down how many litres of water your family uses daily
Conclusion
Water is life. With a few simple actions you can make pure water in any situation.
👀 Discover more from our series: Self-sufficient in 52 weeks? Discover the entire series here!