Squaregrouper's SHTF Water Info Thread

Squaregrouper · Sep 13, 2016

There are 101 threads about SHTF scenarios, yet none of them are addressing water purity from an expert's point of view.
FWIW- I have worked with filtration and water quality for a living for almost 20 years. I was the Chief Engineer of Life Support at The National Aquarium in Baltimore, the commercial manager at Emperor Aquatics- one of the largest UV companies in America, briefly worked with well water systems and am currently the water quality analyst at a major zoo.
I will only address SHTF/camping/backpacking water systems in this thread. I will not respond to questions about city water or well water systems during everyday life. Please start another thread.

Consider everything posted as "last ditch efforts" and nothing more... That being said, I want MDS members to understand some of the issues I have with commercial SHTF water filtration systems.
There are three types of water filtration: mechanical, chemical and biological. We are discussing potable/drinking water, so we will only discuss mechanical and chemical. Biological is relevant in septic systems and pond/aquariums.

There are many brands of SHTF filters on the market, and I have issues with all of them.
To Be Continued...

Squaregrouper · Sep 13, 2016

Good question... Boiling kills things. The other issue is toxins in the water which aren't alive.

Squaregrouper · Sep 13, 2016

squaregrouper said:
Good question... Boiling kills things. The other issue is toxins in the water which aren't alive.

WTF.
Posts disappear???

doggyjacket · Sep 13, 2016

Sorry! I deleted because I thought you were going to add your original post by replying to yourself and didn't want to break up your info.

BeoBill · Sep 13, 2016

Is the "Clorox in the water" method sufficient to make, say, Potomac River water potable? After filtering out the bodies etc., of course.

MigraineMan · Sep 13, 2016

Well, if you're talking SHTF scenario, purchasing anything at the S-Mart is out the window ...

Collection is your first task. Then bulk filtering - strain out the leaves and dead bugs. Charcoal (which you can make from a campfire) over a sand-bed filter (which you can raid from a local golf course or playground) will help take some of the funk out. The next step would be distillation (using the aforementioned fire.) Cook off the low-temp volatiles like methanol and acetone, then harvest the water, and toss the high-temp leftovers. The process is similar to that of distilling corn squeezings, though you actually want the water this time. You'll have to adjust the process depending on what the contaminants are.

Probably should learn to brew beer. After all, it did save civilization.

Hellrazr78 · Sep 14, 2016

If in an urban area,wouldn't collecting water from water heaters and toilet tanks be a viable option?

Edit: Or is this strictly a filtration, no fresh water available thread?

Rack&Roll · Sep 14, 2016

squaregrouper said:
WTF.
Posts disappear???

Stuck in the filter/trap? Check there first for missing posts.

Blacksmith101 · Sep 14, 2016

My plan is to shelter in place and I have a well as a water supply which I would continue to use, I can add a hand pump when the power grid fails. I have a stock of Provodine Iodine, better shelf life than bleach, as a back up for biologicals and boiling is always an option. I am certain I can build an effective filtration system if required, there are plans for systems designed for the third world available. What else do I need to consider.

Here is a resource on many water topics:
http://www.wateraid.org/what-we-do/...7C6C78F23400EBD5849F48116559F=1#filterContent

Their list of their publications:
http://www.wateraid.org/what-we-do/...7C6C78F23400EBD5849F48116559F=1#filterContent

This is their combined field technology notes PDF, I recommend people print this out for SHTF reference:
http://www.wateraid.org/~/media/Publications/technology-notes-2011.pdf

Selected sections of the book:
http://www.wateraid.org/what-we-do/our-approach/technologies

Another resource with both equipment and free plans including pumps and filtration systems:
http://hydromissions.org/products/

engineerbrian · Sep 14, 2016

Great thread!

Do Life Straws (or similar products) actually work? By actually working, I mean would you use it to drink out of a creek like they advertise?

AntiGun · Sep 14, 2016

engineerbrian said:
Great thread!

Do Life Straws (or similar products) actually work? By actually working, I mean would you use it to drink out of a creek like they advertise?

I gave one to a guy who went to Africa, he didn't die yet so I suppose it does something. Some interesting videos on youtube showing people using these for gross water.

travistheone · Sep 14, 2016

can you recommend a larger, long life span method of filtration? for the example of having a pond, stream or older well on your property. this water source would be used as a theoretical "off-the-grid" or emergency water source. I.e. gravity fed into main home basement.

govwontletmebuycoolguns · Sep 14, 2016

engineerbrian said:
Great thread!

Do Life Straws (or similar products) actually work? By actually working, I mean would you use it to drink out of a creek like they advertise?

I've used Lifestraws and the Sawyer in-lines on multiple backpacking trips without issue.

W2D · Sep 14, 2016

Excellent thread. I just finished Daisy Luther's The Prepper's Water Survival Guide: Harvest, Treat, and Store Your Most Vital Resource

In SHTF, water could be the biggest problem. We started storing bottled water, and may start stocking 5 gal bottles. I'd like to start a downspout collection system, but storage tanks are expensive and most look ugly (has to have wife approval!). Ideally, a downspout fed attic tank would provide some pressure for operating the toilets.
In Bermuda, they bury a 30,000 tank, and build the house over it. My brother tore down a cistern in their basement- I'm thinking of building one!

Sawyer Mini 4 pack for the vehicles.

No idea is foolproof or guaranteed, but I am working multiple layers of protection.

psucobra96 · Sep 14, 2016

My biggest issue is getting the water. Hand pump I guess is my only option but they are pricey.

StantonCree · Sep 14, 2016

squaregrouper said:
There are 101 threads about SHTF scenarios, yet none of them are addressing water purity from an expert's point of view.
FWIW- I have worked with filtration and water quality for a living for almost 20 years. I was the Chief Engineer of Life Support at The National Aquarium in Baltimore, the commercial manager at Emperor Aquatics- one of the largest UV companies in America, briefly worked with well water systems and am currently the water quality analyst at a major zoo.
I will only address SHTF/camping/backpacking water systems in this thread. I will not respond to questions about city water or well water systems during everyday life. Please start another thread.

Consider everything posted as "last ditch efforts" and nothing more... That being said, I want MDS members to understand some of the issues I have with commercial SHTF water filtration systems.
There are three types of water filtration: mechanical, chemical and biological. We are discussing potable/drinking water, so we will only discuss mechanical and chemical. Biological is relevant in septic systems and pond/aquariums.

There are many brands of SHTF filters on the market, and I have issues with all of them.
To Be Continued...

I don't have any water questions but I love how you actually put a background that would lead us to believe you know what your talking about! I appreciate that!!!

W2D · Sep 14, 2016

Blacksmith101 said:
...I have a stock of Provodine Iodine, better shelf life than bleach, as a back up for biologicals...

One idea from the Luther book is to buy pool shock. Mix a measure (tablespoon?) into a quart of water, and use the solution 1:100 to sanitize water. The pool shock has unlimited (?) shelf life, and is cheap.

webb297 · Sep 14, 2016

Look forward to OPs opinions on the topic. Subscribed.

chrisflhtc · Sep 14, 2016

cap6888 · Sep 14, 2016

But seriously, this is awesome! Thanks for starting the thread. I have an above ground pool and would love to figure out a way to make those 8000 gallons potable.

Squaregrouper's SHTF Water Info Thread

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