Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Making a water filter
• Part 3 of 3: Making other types of water filters
• Tips
• Warnings

You cannot live without water. The technique discussed below is very useful in survival situations. People can go without food for up to a week, but only two or three days without water. It can be difficult to find clean water if you are lost in the wilderness or if there is an emergency. If you have found a water source, you must be able to purify the water so that you do not get sick. This article will show you how to make a water filter that can do that.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Making a water filter

1. Gather your supplies. You are going to make a water filter containing several layers of material that purify dirty water. If you plan to drink the water, you will have to boil it after filtering. You need the following:
   • Plastic bottle with a cap
   • Creasing knife
   • Hammer and nail (optional)
   • Coffee filter
   • Large glass or mug (optional)
   • Activated carbon
   • Sand
   • Gravel
   • Something to collect the water (pot, glass, cup, etc.)
2. Choose a pot to collect the filtered water. Make sure the pot is clean and big enough to hold all the water you plan to filter. If you don't have a pot, you can also use a bowl, a glass, a pan, or a mug.
3. Hold the filter over the pot. Make sure the cap points to the bottom of the pot. If the pot has a wide opening, you can try placing the water filter on it. That way you won't have to hold the filter. Hang the filter if you have made a handle for it. Place the jar right under it.
4. Wait for the water to flow into the pot. This will take about seven to ten minutes. The water will become cleaner as it flows through the different layers.
5. Let the water cool before putting it in a clean and airtight container. Don't let the water sit too long or new bacteria may grow in it.

Part 3 of 3: Making other types of water filters

1. Make a xylem filter with a water bottle and a fir branch. Sapwood like pine contains xylem, which can absorb and filter dirt and bacteria. It can remove up to 99.9% of all bacteria from water, but it does not remove viruses such as hepatitis virus and rotavirus. You will have to boil the water after filtering to make it drinkable. You make a xylem filter in the following way:
   • Cut a 4-inch piece off a pine branch.
   • Pull the bark off, making sure the branch fits into the opening in the bottle. If the branch is too thick, remove some with sandpaper or a pocket knife.
   • Insert the first 2 to 3 inches of the branch into the opening in the bottle.
   • Cut off the bottom part of the bottle and turn the bottle upside down.
   • Fill the bottle with water and let the water run through the branch.
   • Do not let the branch dry out. A dry branch will filter the water less well.

Tips

• Instead of making a filter with a thick layer of activated carbon, sand and gravel, you can also try to make a filter with several thin layers of activated carbon, sand and gravel. Keep adding layers until you get to the rim of the bottle.
• Consider purchasing a water filter from a camping supply store. These filters can remove more bacteria and microorganisms from the water than a self-made filter.
• If you can't find a coffee filter, you can also use a crumpled piece of cotton, pillow stuffing, or stuffed animal stuffing.
• If the boiled water tastes flat, try adding a pinch of salt. You can also pour the water into two clean bottles or jars several times.

Warnings

• By filtering the water it is not yet safe to drink. Always purify the water before drinking it or using it for cleaning or cooking.
• Always boil the filtered water before using it to brush your teeth, cook, make drinks like coffee and tea, wash the dishes or drink it.