How to Improve.....Water

     Water falls from the heavens, gathers in low lying areas and seeps into the ground where municipalities pump it up and distribute it at great expense.  Filtered by the very ground we stand upon, clean water is good to have.  In a post-TEOTWAWKI time, water will not come from the city wells and pump safely and conveniently into our homes.  Gathering water and filtering it, to improve it over it's raw gathered state to make it safe to drink will be a life saving, life securing, life style.

     Before we go to ground water, let's gather water.  Catching water requires less effort than fetching water.  Gathering water from the our own roof run off keeps us near the homestead.  Preparing for those hard times to come can give us a chance to setup rain gathering while we can go and get supplies that we know are clean and dedicated to water catching.  

www.sprucecreekrainsaver.com

     Here, in this diagram we see a closed system with a good basic design.  The gravel footing under the barrel allows for the barrel to find it's own safe level when filled.  It will displace the weight of the filled barrel and allow for drainage from general rainfall so the barrel doesn't sink.  Bendable, drain spouts are available at any hardware store.  The spigot and the seal around the downspout in the barrel lid can be securely sealed with silicone caulk, but for long term use under pressure, I suggest aquarium sealant.  It is waterproof, and will not taint the water with chemicals.  If it is safe for fish to swim in, it is safe to drink from.  

fyi.uwex.edu 

www.treehugger.com 

http://www.backyardcitypools.com/
pool-covers-accessories/BWP-NW195.htm

     From this basic design, we can add barrels to hold more water, add filters and go for decorative touch that pleases the HOA, if you have one.  

     For siphoning water from puddles, pools or ponds I like the simplicity of this hand held siphon.  It is priced under $25.  It is just the basic pump and drain.  Cheaper ways to siphon water involve a single hose and a good set of lungs.  But this handheld device allows for you to get the job done while remaining erect so to scan the horizon, have conversation or look for cover.  Once water is gathered, it must be transported.  A wagon is better than a sled, but a branch and two buckets works, too! 

     Once the water is gathered, or caught or fetched and brought home, it must be filtered.  Click over to the label "WATER" for filtering for one or filtering for a family in blog posts:Water filters for Camping, Living and Surviving.  Water filtering   Water in the Home

   

     

Water filters for Camping, Living and Surviving.

     Yesterday my post was for water filters like the Big Berkey and the Big Berkey itself.  Today, I'd like to offer more filters and filter outlets.

These are portable and personal filters:

http://www.filtersfast.com

     I have found the Katdyn brand filter online in prices ranging from $144 to $219.  Let me tell you about the one for $144.  It's the same as the higher priced site, but currently out of stock at this website I am posting here.  Let us all be patient and kind and keep them in our favorites list since this is a site for JUST filters.http://www.filtersfast.com.

     Certainly, if time is of the essence and money is not an object, there are other sites like:

http://www.backcountry.com/water-filters  Not a bad place to go, all products currently available, easy to navigate site, you can pick your price range in the search feature.
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/search_Water-Filtration  Also an easy affordable site with other brands like Camelbak and more. 

But, there is nothing stopping any of us from going direct to the maker at www.katadyn.com
www.camelbak.com and 
www.cascadedesigns.com/msr


     Of the above sites, I think you will find the most, possibly the best, personal portable filters at MSR.  Msr sells tents, cookware, stoves, tents and gear for the cold weather hiker at http://cascadedesigns.com.  Should you think you will ever need to travel after the stuff hits the fan, this site is somewhere to go to look now.

 Ceramic Water Filters:

http://www.aquatechnology.net/cgi-bin/search.cgi?ptno=MW1

Item No: MW1 
Manufacturer: MSR

MiniWorks Portable Ceramic Filtration System

Price: $95.00

Detailed Description

The Best of the Best in Portable Water Filtration Systems. This unit is for the next time the power goes out in Cleveland or Detroit and the water from the tap is undrinkable. Or when the next earthquake, tsunami or hurricane hits. Don't wait for an "American Haiti" disaster before you invest in a life-saving tool such as this item. Truly a small investment in preparation for a time of need.

Bacteria Removing Ceramic Element for WaterWorks II and MiniWorks Handheld Filters

Price: $39.95

This site also has Gallons of info articles to click on, product made in the USA is US Marine Corps standard issue.

http://doultonusa.com.  Offering cutaway views of their product on the home page to show you what they make from the inside out!

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Portable-Simple-Emergency-Water-Filter/productinfo/W-P-4X4/

Item Number: W-P-4X4

Unit Price: $19.98

29 In Stock

Item Number: W-P-4X4

Unit Price: $19.98

29 In Stock

   

Water filtering

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com

     The big name in Water filtration is Big Berkey.  There are several sizes available and a 50% off manufacturer's suggested retail price of half a dozen other products you could purchase as a prize for purchasing a unit.  The best deal on the discounted price items would be the two pack of replacement filters.  The model featured here is $231.

Ten low-cost ways to treat water | News | Engineering for Changewww.engineeringforchange.org 

      The Big Berkey website offers great easy to follow step by step demonstrations of how their product works.  You could literally watch the man put together the water filtration system and think to yourself, hmmmm, I could make one of those.  Well, go for it.  They also sell the filtering units so you can do just that.  There are other companies that sell filters and websites that give instructions and how to videos including science projects for kids.  If you are bent on making your own, to save a few dollars, now is the time to give it a try.  This is not a skill you want to think you have then under pressure realize you really only have theoretical knowledge and you aren't too sure if the water is safe to drink.  

http://www.whentechfails.com/node/27

      For the do it yourself-er,  I suggest trying a few of the simple science projects to get yourself familiar with the kind of filtration you can expect from materials you can gather around you.  After you see how the water may still need boiling or chemical treatment before drinking, Then you could buy a well made filter and try to construct your own berkey type system.  

      I really like this site called When Technology Fails, by Matt Stein.  He has authored several books but the post on filtering and purifying water is brilliant.  His chart for disinfection and sterilization is a lot of information in an easy to grasp visualization of the facts.  Read the post, or buy the book.

     For pictures and video, try http://ronmauer.net/blog/?page_id=178.

www.ultimatesurvivalskills.com 

     My eldest took to making his own after reading Survivalblog.com.  It's gonna kill him to see the videos posted online!  They made virtually the same filter only my number one did it without a pattern.  If you have the time and enjoy the process of figuring out the design on your own, do it.  If you like pictures and video, click the above sites then do it!  Just decide what kind of filtration you are going to need and meet the need now while you can.   

"mom" note:  Buy back up filters.  Several sets of back up filters.  That which you don't use you can trade with those who have none.  

   

Water in the Home

WATER BOTTLES

     Long term storage of water bottles is a real grey area for me.  This is Florida.  It gets hot, we drink a lot of water and the convenience of picking up a flat of water and the short term it spend on the shelf make it a must have.  The key to my use of bottled water is rotation.  I buy a flat and put it in back of the water i have and use water from the front. 

     I know the bottled water controversy is more than just convenience and the cost of that convenience.  Some bottled water is no different than tap water.  I buy water that is specifically marked Spring Water, not purified.  For heavens sake! I have a water filter on my faucet!  I am a little picky about my spring water, too.  I like Zephyr Hills.  I like the Big lots brand, Crystal Geyser.  I will not drink those so called purified waters like Aquafina, it tastes like metal pipes, to me.  So, besides the issue of BPA, there is the issue of taste.  Buy what you like.  buy what you use and rotate regularly.

     Because the BPA issue is so important, I want to separate it from the taste issue.  The majority of bottles w/ #7 on the bottom contain BPA.  Safer alternatives are bottles (and other plastics) that have #1, #2, or #4 on the bottom.(http://www.acacamps.org/hottopics/bpa).  For more information in a small area click here:http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/0902.asp.

http://www.dollartree.com/Aluminum-Water-Bottles
-25-oz-/p310602/index.pro

New Balance Men's

 & Women's stainless steel

drinking bottle...

$15.99

www.newbal

      To reduce your personal BPA levels, you can filter water from the tap with a Brita, Pur, or other brand water filter and use a BPA free container to chill it or a steel or aluminum drinking bottle to transport it.  

Bobble 18-Ounce Filtered Water Bottles

$9.99

$9.99

     For more water on the go ideas, try Bed Bath and Beyond at htttp://www.bedbathandbeyond.com.  For prep supplies?  Who knew? right?  Yes, try it you could shop local and save not only on cost but on shipping.  Just because it's a needed prep item doesn't mean it must be ugly or expensive.


WATER FILTERS for the Home

     Look into portable filter bottles at sporting goods stores and online and at Bed, Bath and Beyond as above.
   
      For the kitchen or bath room sink, Home Depot offers a comparison chart so you can shop product price and the job you want it to do.  Note: They do not carry Britta.  Brita filters are licensed in to Lowe's.  If you want that brand you have to go there or go to WalMart.  At WalMart you will also find DuPont brand.  I use DuPont for the extra filtering layers and for price, but do your home work. 
     

Culligan Brushed Nickel Inline Shower Filter, ISH-300

(2)

Reduces chlorine taste and odor up to 97 percent Reduces sulfur odor http://www.walmart.com

Reduces chlorine taste and odor up to 97 percent

Reduces sulfur odor

http://www.walmart.com

     Beyond prepping needs, there are a number of inline filters for the shower and shower head filters now available at Home Depot and Lowes and other hardware and department stores.    Hardware and building supply stores are the best place to start investigating whole house water filters including brands like Culligan.  They offer do it yourself levels of installation and an installation service.  So your investigating online and avoid sales people in the home.  

Stick with me folks, I am gearing up to water filtration on the run and filtering rainwater.