Simply Preparing

Learning how to purify water is one of the first skills a Prepper must have.  Storing water is only the first step in your emergency water preparedness plan. While we’ve shown you ways to store water for an emergency, you’re going to want to have a way to filter and purify outside drinking sources..

 Filtering and Purifying Water

Filtering water removes things the eye can see from the water, such as bugs, twigs and leaves.

To purify water means removing things the eyes can’t see, such as germs and bacteria that can not only make you sick, but kill you.

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 Safe Drinking Water

First filtering, and then purifying potential drinking water is the best practice in order to have safe for your family in an emergency.

Ways to make water safe for drinking include:

*Straining.

Homemade filtering systems.

*Bleach.

*Pool Shock.

*Boiling.

With any of the techniques above, you’ll need to first filter (straining, homemade filtering systems) and THEN purify (bleach, pool shock, boiling).

However, it IS possible to filter and purify water at the same time using the suggestions below.

Filter and Purify Water With A LifeStraw

Portable and very affordable, you throw *this post contains affiliate links a LifeStraw into each family member’s 72 hour kit, providing an easy way to both filter up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water and remove:

-99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, including E-Coli

-99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, including Giardia & Cryptosporidium

Bonus:  No funky after taste, the way you would get by using bleach to purify water.

LifeStraw Mission Water Purification System

Looking to purify water on a larger scale during an emergency?   Take a look at the LifeStraw Mission Water Purification System.  

This system uses a high volume gravity filter to filter and purify 4755 gallons of water.   Ideal for group and family emergency preparedness situation.

Pour the water into the top, and clean water comes out the bottom.  How much easier can it get?

Filter and Purify Water Long Term With A Berkey

The aftermath of an emergency can leave municipal drinking facilities scrambling to provide clean water.  Just ask any one that has been slammed by hurricanes and flooding.  Even after the taps are turned back on, the water flowing through them can be of questionable quality.

Berkey systems filter both treated water and untreated raw water from such sources as  lakes, streams and stagnant ponds.  The Berkey is made to tackle hostile environments where electricity, or treated water isn’t available.  No more having to worry if your tap water is safe to drink.

The Big Berkey

The Big Berkey system removes pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites, while reducing harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides.

With a storage capacity of about 2.25  gallons (8.5 liters) this Berkey will filter approximately  12-15 gallons a day, making it the perfect size to keep on a kitchen counter top or by the sink.

You Must Have A Way To Purify Water

Without access to safe drinking water, you have a life span of three days.   This makes safe drinking water more important than food storage.  You are only going to be able to put away so much emergency drinking water storage. Without a way to filter and purify outside sources of water, surviving a long term emergency is going to be much harder..

Access Outside Water Sources with a Sillcock Key

BTW, while we are on the subject of outside water sources, consider adding a Sillcock Key to your emergency kits. This inexpensive tool allows access to safe drinking water in public buildings during an emergency.

Interested in learning about what else should be included in every Prepper’s 72 Hour Kit and Supplies list?  Read our post on 72 Hour Kit Survival Checklists.

P.S.