We have some water stored in water bricks, and a bathtub bladder to fill if perception/prediction succeeds, but for the long term, there might be a need to filter/treat environmentally-sourced water. I have considered a rain barrel for watering the garden, which could be put to use in an emergency scenario as well. But the main source would likely be a small nearby creek. What sort of filtering apparatus might be appropriate to make this water clean enough to drink? It is fed, at least in part, by roadway runoff so it probably has some chemical contamination along with the usual biohazards.

I have also considered setting up a still, partly to distill water, but also to provide "trade goods" in an extended SHTF scenario. I don't know how realistic it would be to use the same distillation equipment for water and alcohol.

This leads to a follow-up concern of what items might be best to stockpile for trade purposes. Besides the obvious cigarettes, ammo, and booze, what else might be useful? I discount precious metals, etc. Who would you be "selling" these to?

It might also be useful to estimate how needs might change over time spent in an emergency situation. A few days, a few weeks, a few months, a year, etc.

Contributions from members who are moved to boast about how foresighted they have been would be helpful, but I am more hoping to not have to research the subject in depth. I'm sure some here have looked across the product lines of water purification equipment, and can suggest best of breed type products.

Personally I have a Platypus Gravity filter that serves 6 of us at hunting camp fill 4l and filter into a 4l reservoir then refill the dirty bag. In addition I have a Steripen UV type that by all accounts is at least as good as the filters. It depends on batteries but the lithium’s mine takes store for a long time and treat a bunch of water.

My system isn’t meant for end times I guess but could get me through a month or more with judicial use. Far less energy needed when compared to boiling. Chlorine treatment is also a possibility but I’ve never felt the need to pursue.

We have a pool, and a floating chlorinator should power be out and we can't run the salt system to generate chlorine to keep it fresh. 20,000 gallons should get us through anything, and a buck full to flush the heads, might be good to get one of those campground showers, I could hook it up and pull water from the pool...

Keep a couple of gallons of bleach tucked away. 6-8 drops per gallon will make water safe. Another option is iodine. Five drops per quart. Mix both well and let rest for 1/2 hour or so to kill anything.

(Former Army medic. This is how we purified the water buffaloes.)

One of the lesser known water purification products is a flocculant branded “P&G Purifier of Water”. It comes in very small powder packs that treat 10 liters (2.5 gal) of water. The flocculant effect works by sticking to particles in the water and making them clump together, so they can be easily removed by straining. For group scale purification, this method is convenient because it purifies 2.5 gallons with one powder pack and a bucket. To increase the volume you just need more buckets.

Another lesser known device is the MSR Miox. This device dissolved some rock salt in a small volume of water, then ran an electric current through it, powered by two CR123 batteries. This electrolyzed the salt water to produce a solution of mixed oxidants, which is then added to a quart of water to be purified. The mixed oxidants killed any organisms over of course of a few minutes to half an hour. It was developed with DARPA funding for special forces to use in remote areas.

There is a difference between filters and purifiers. You also should consider a carbon pre filter for heavy metals and for taste. Coffee filters or cheese cloth make good pre filters for really dirty/cloudy water. If you only want one, get a purifier as it will handle both bacteria and viruses. A filter only handles bacteria. Generally speaking, neither system handles heavy metals unless you have a charcoal based pre filter.

Hands down, the best water filter is the Pocket filter by Katadyn. They also own Steripen which provides purification. We have both. https://www.katadyngroup.com/u...tadyn~b4906/overview

Keep in mind that the drinking straw or water bottle type systems work for drinking but not if you need water for cooking or cleaning.

I’m lucky that my neighbor has given the okay to use the stream on his property if need be. Otherwise I have two other creeks in half a mile. I have 3 unused 5 gallon buckets and two Lifestraw Family units. They and their replacement filters are often sold out. Currently just have some cheese cloth and kitchen towels for pre-filtering. I need a good method for using coffee filters. I also need a better method for storing the purified water. Useful tools include a shovel for making a deep spot in a creek for easy bucket filling. A garden wagon or wheel barrow would also help for further distances.

This video has always interested me for a more primitive solution. I’m will have to give it a try when the next windstorm knocks some branches off.