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.

Water for Storage and Emergency

I have been evaluating my storage to decide what I need to work on first.  While searching the Internet, I found this Rule of 3 for survival.

 In extreme situations you cannot survive for more than:

3 minutes without air,

3 hours without shelter,

3 days without water,

 3 weeks without food

Since water is so crucial to life, I decided to educate myself on storing water.  These are some of the questions I asked myself and the answers I found.

How much water does an adult need each day for drinking?

·      2 quarts - more for pregnant women, children, people who are ill and people in hot environments

Per person, how much water do I need to store for food preparation and hygiene?

·      At least 2 gallons per person per day in addition to the drinking water above

How many days worth of water storage shall I keep?

·      2 week's supply

This along with more detailed information comes from FEMA and can be found at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdf Article titled “Emergency Water Supplies”

What containers are best for water storage?

·      Heavy weight food grade plastic containers.  Food grade containers for water are blue in color

·      It is best to have stationary and portable water storage containers

·      Water boxes – mylar bags filled with water inside of cardboard boxes

Where is the best place to store water?

·      In a cool dark place for maximum shelf life

·      Avoid contact with the floor, build a wooden platform for the containers to sit on

·      Tie down large water containers in case of earthquakes

What if I need to store my water outside?

·      Containers break down more easily in the sun.  Cover the container to help protect the container from sun and weather damage

·      When storing water outside, make sure to leave extra empty space at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing.

This information comes from FEMA and can be found at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water.shtm

For my own water storage, I have chosen a large 55-gallon barrel and water bricks that hold approximately 31/2 gallons each.  I store the barrel in my basement near a floor drain so I can easily empty it and refill it with fresh water.  The water bricks are portable and easy to move around.  They can be stacked as high as the ceiling and lock together somewhat like Legos.  They each have their own carrying handle.  I also have water boxes.  They are inexpensive, but I do not like them quite as well as the water bricks.  They take more space because you can only stack them two high.  Also, they are not as easy to carry.  Shelf Reliance has all three kinds of these storage water storage containers as well as others.  If you are interested in more information or would like to purchase any of them please see my website at:

 susansakurai.shelfreliance.com

You can purchase directly from my website and the items will be shipped directly to you.

If you are interested in this subject, please return for my next post.  It will be on additional places to find drinkable water in the home, water purification methods and water purifying equipment.