Safe Water?

[Bull]

I've been trying to research different water filtering devices and other options to come up with a good plan to acquire safe drinking water if TSHTF. I understand I can treat water with chlorine, iodine, even bromine, or colloidal silver maybe. And I've seen a variety of filter products like the Berkey, Katadyn, etc, but I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction about learning more about water treatment, filtration, quality, or anything related, and what other people have found is the best filter setup. The Berkey seems pretty good, but they are vague about what exactly they use on their website, whether it's activated carbon, ceramic, or what. If things aren't that bad I would think that a "pretty good" filter would be O.K. but what if it's worse case scenario? If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Also, if you distill water, will it still have the nutrients and everything you need from it? Thanks in advance for any input.

[Christian for Israel]

as manager of a water bottling plant i know a bit about water purity. to answer your questions, the absolute best portable water filter available is the katadyn pocket. this has been used by international aid organizations all over the world for decades. yes, it is expensive, but it's worth it. the pocket uses a ceramic block filter that has been impregnated with silver. it filters out particles down to around .1 micron and, if not used with silty water, can process up to 13,000 gallons before needing a filter change. that's close to 20 YEARS worth of drinking water for the average person.

the berkfield 'big berky' is an excellent in home filter. it also uses silver impregnated ceramic filters that last virtually forever.

of course, depending on the contaminant, filtration is only part of the answer. the best ceramic filters will remove dissolved solids, heavy metals, spores and bacteria, but virii are much smaller. water treatment chemicals and even exposure to UV radiation (sunlight) will kill them, so a two stage process is needed for complete safety. in the field i use my katadyn filter first and then leave the water in a clear container in direct sunlight for several hours before drinking it. if you prefer using tablets or bleach i suggest treating the water an hour before running it through your filter.

steam distillation is an acceptable short term method of purifying water. the problem is, it works too well. distilled water has none of the trace minerals necessary to good health. the process removes everything. it is ok to drink for a few weeks, but eventually you'll start having negative health effects from the lack of minerals (many of which are found nowhere else).

reverse osmosis is the best for removing contaminants while leaving trace minerals. that's what the Navy uses on its aircraft carriers to desalinate sea water. a good RO will even make raw sewage potable. the problem is, since RO has become popular, many companies have started making systems of lesser qualities and marketing them at home depot, wally world and even on the net. a good RO will have a bypass rate of 10:1...that is, for every gallon of water forced through the membrane, 10 gallons are discarded as waste. many of the new supposed 'home filtration systems' have only a 2:1-3:1 bypass rate. they take some of the smell and taste out of city water but wouldn't work for contaminated water.

RO's are expensive. the one we use at my plant cost $30,000. smaller units aren't that bad but they're still high for good ones.

i hope this helps answer your questions. if you have any others, please ask.

[Bourbon]

the absolute best portable water filter available is the katadyn pocket. ... if not used with silty water, can process up to 13,000 gallons before needing a filter change. that's close to 20 YEARS worth of drinking water for the average person.

Interesting.

[Bull]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably end up getting a few different things, but I'm trying to get a basic amount of prep done now in case the SHTF next week or something. Maybe right after the elections no Tuesday, huh? Really I'm getting more done every week as the money comes in and just trying to get a good foundation to start. Not much good having a bunch of food and ammo with no sure method for getting safe water right? Thanks again.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Bull in that case just start with soda bottles, tuperware or any other containers you can find and wash out. Even if they are not drinkable use them for toilet flushing water. You can always go back the next week and add a little bleach to store them longer term. Make sure you mark dates on the container.

[Christian for Israel]

Bull in that case just start with soda bottles, tuperware or any other containers you can find and wash out. Even if they are not drinkable use them for toilet flushing water. You can always go back the next week and add a little bleach to store them longer term. Make sure you mark dates on the container.

agreed.

most of us started out slowly as not many of us had the money to simply get everything all at once. as i tell folks all the time, prepping is a lifestyle...it's the way you live, not something you 'do', then move on to something else. as for having safe water, i kept containers for years before ever getting my first filter. more recently i've been able to upgrade due to some fortunate circ.umstances. i just recently got rid of the last 2 water barrels at the house as i've finally gotten to the point that i don't need them anymore.

[610Alpha]

I started with 2 liter bottles and the 20 oz. bottles until recently when I graduated to the 6 gallon Midwest Can from Kmart for $8.29. Break this down to phases/steps so that you feel like you're getting some where in your preps.

Phase 1 - 1 week of Food, Water, small first aid kit
Phase 2 - Get your vehicles squared away w/ the basics
Phase 3 - 2 weeks food, water etc..

Keep doing this and building upon what you have, each phase may focus a little more/less on something. You'll want to add security in there also. Growing your own food. Do forget to add skills to your phases, and make them goals with deadlines. Write them down and put them on the fridge or someplace that you see a lot.

This is merely meant as an example.

C 4 I - nice way of getting around that spell checker :)

[tedennis]

I also am just starting and water is my priority. i am planning on at least 500 gallons in basement. i was curious about pool water. i have a 15000 gallon in ground pool about 5 feet from my basement. i know all water should be filtered but was thinking about stopping at 500 gallons and plan on the pool as a reserve. as long as we keep the pool and the water clean anyway

[Christian for Israel]

pool water can be consumed, but should be put through a good filter first. of course, it can also be used for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet, without filtering.

[Klayton]

Of course, dont forget to set the water out in the sun to allow the chlorine to completely evaporate. I am pretty sure the chlorine level in pool water is enough to make you hurl...

[Bull]

Thanks for the info everyone.