Water Purification, Filtration and Distillation for Emergencies

Today I have written about purification, filtration and distillation and the equipment that goes with each process.  This information should help you know how each method works.  It is fairly long but I think that I will go ahead and include everything so that you can compare one with another.

Purification

1.  Boiling

• Water should be boiled for at least 3 to 5 minutes to sanitize it.  If you live at high altitudes, add a minute for every 1000 feet above sea level. 
• Filter through clean cloth to eliminate larger particulates

Negative points of this method –

1. Requires fuel

2. Cool-down period

3. Evaporation

4. Will still have particulate matter

5. Will not eliminate pollutants

2.  Chemical Treatment

 Iodine

·      Kills most microorganisms

Negative points of using Iodine –

1. Not effective against cryptosporidium

       2. The colder the water the longer it takes

3. Dosage required varies

4. Should not be used regularly for longer than 3 months

5. Changes the taste of water

6. Pregnant women and people with thyroid conditions should not use this    method

7. Does not remove pollutants

Chlorine Bleach

·      Must use regular household bleach containing 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.  Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners

·      Use 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir, let stand 30 min.

·      Add it when you use it, NOT when you store it

Negative points of using Chlorine Bleach –

1. If bleach is over 6 mos. old it may not have potency to disinfect

2. Chlorine is very poisonous and may cause internal damage or death if used improperly

3.  Ultraviolet – Purifies with UV light

·      Requires electricity or batteries

·      Sterilizes microorganisms rendering them unable to make you sick

·      No chemical changes to water taste

Negative points of using Ultraviolet purification –

1. Requires additional filtration to remove particulates, chemicals, tastes and odors

                        Purifiers on the market using UV light:

·      SteriPEN Sidewinder

·      SteriPEN Journey

·      SteriPEN Emergency

Filtration

1.    Filters with Ceramic elements

• Smallest pore size – 0.1 to 0.5 microns
• Most expensive, most durable and maintainable
• Filters out free floating particles and microorganisms

Negative points of using Filters with Ceramic elements –

·      Do not remove chemicals, poor tastes, odors or pollutants

·      Expensive

Purifiers on the market using Ceramic Filtering Elements:

·      Katadyn Pocket Microfilter

·      Katadyn Combi

2.    Filters with Glass fiber or compressed surgical paper elements

·      Small pore size – 0.2 to 1.0 microns

·      Mildly expensive, medium durability, and usually not cleanable

·      Filters our particles and microorganisms

·      Good for camping

Negative points of filters with glass fiber or compressed surgical paper elements:

·      Do not remove chemicals, poor tastes, odors or pollutants

·      Not good for long-term storage because they can develop mold and 

                  Mildew and are hard to clean

           

            Purifiers on the market using glass fiber elements:

·      Katadyn Vario

·      Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter

·      Katadyn Hiker Microfilter

3.    Filters with Hard-block carbon elements

·      Small pore size – 0.4 to 2.0 microns

·      Less expensive, brittle, not cleanable

·      Used as absorption filters

·      Reduces chemical quantities, poor tastes, odors and many pollutants.

·      Used together with other filters as second or third stage filters

Purifiers on the market that use a combination of the above methods:

·      Aqua Pail

Distillation - with the use of a heat source of solar energy

• Drinking water can be distilled from almost anything that contains moisture except materials that give off toxins
• Inexpensive to make  (FEMA website describes in detail how to make stills for distillation)

Negative points of using Distillation –

1.  Process is extremely slow     

2. Only small amounts can be collected daily.

It is best to educate yourself on the characteristic of each process and type of equipment so that you will know what each is capable of doing.  It is recommended that methods be combine to get the purest, best tasting water.

Before I started studying, I thought all filters were basicly the same except for capacity and cost.  I had no idea of the capabilities of each type of equipment.  Now, I must make the best choice based on my budget, needs and what I have learned.  I hope that this information has been helpful to you.  If you would like to purchase water purification/filtration equipment, please visit my website at:

susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

The information I used above came from an article titled “Water Filtration and Purification” written by Scott Pedersen, Vicki Tate and Barry Crockett found at http://beprepared.com/article.asp_Q_ai_E_30_A_name_E_Water%20Filtration%20And%20Purification, an article titled EMERGENCY WATER PURIFICATION by The Law, Science & Public Health Law Site at http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/cphl/Practice/water.htm and the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/watermanage.shtm. I highly recommend studying these articles; they have a lot of good information.