Safe Drinking Water in Emergencies: Purification Methods

Safe Drinking Water in Emergencies: Purification Methods

During an emergency like a wildfire, earthquake, flood, or power outage, access to safe drinking water is vital. Here’s what you can use to purify water and ensure your family and community stay healthy and hydrated.

1. Portable Water Filters

Highly recommended for go-bags and at-home kits, modern emergency filters physically remove bacteria, protozoa, and (sometimes) viruses and chemicals.

Product Type	Brands/Examples	How It Works/Notes
Straw Filters	LifeStraw, Sawyer Mini	Drink directly from source or bottle; portable, easy
Squeeze Filters	Sawyer Squeeze	Filter attaches to pouches or bottles
Pump Filters	MSR Guardian, Katadyn	Hand-pump water through membrane; higher capacity
Gravity-fed Systems	Outback, Big Berkey	Large capacity for families or groups; countertop style
Bottle/Purifier	Grayl UltraPress	Fill, press and drink; filters bacteria and viruses

• Pros: Fast, portable, reusable. Some remove viruses (check product specs).

• Cons: Membranes can clog; read instructions on lifspan and use.

2. Chemical Treatments

Use these if filters are unavailable or as a second step after filtering to kill viruses.

• Water Purification Tablets: (chlorine dioxide, iodine, or chlorine)

Add to water, wait recommended time (typically 30–60 min).

• Unscented Liquid Bleach:

Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops) per gallon of clear water, let stand 30 minutes. If water is cloudy, double the amount and wait longer.

• Pros: Lightweight, cheap, good backup.

• Cons: Taste/odor, not effective against some parasites (e.g., Cryptosporidium).

3. Boiling

• One of the safest methods: Brings water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500ft elevation).

• Kills most pathogens: Bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

• Pros: No chemicals required, works with fire or camp stove.

• Cons: Needs fuel and time, doesn’t remove chemicals or heavy metals.

4. Distillation

• Setup: Boil water and capture the steam in a clean container, leaving most contaminants behind.

• Removes: Microbes, plus some chemicals and salts (needed for saltwater or pool water).

• Cons: Slow, requires extra equipment.

5. UV (Ultraviolet) Purifiers

• Battery-powered or solar: Wands or pens (e.g., SteriPEN) zap microbes with UV light.

• Effective for: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa (in clear water).

• Cons: Won’t remove chemicals or debris, needs batteries/power.

Quick Comparison Table

Method	Destroys Germs	Removes Chemicals	Removes Debris
Portable Filter	✔️	Some, depends	✔️
Boiling	✔️	❌	❌
Bleach/Tablets	✔️	❌	❌
Distillation	✔️	✔️	✔️/❌
UV Light	✔️	❌	❌

Emergency Steps When Purifying Water

1. Start with the cleanest water available: Even muddy or cloudy water can be made safer by letting debris settle, then pouring through a clean cloth.

2. If possible, filter first, then disinfect with boiling, chemicals, or UV light.

3. Use recommended dosages and wait times—do not shortcut the process.

4. Store treated water in clean, covered containers.

Trusted Reference Guides

• CDC: Making Water Safe in an Emergency

• FEMA: Food and Water in an Emergency (PDF)

• Ready.gov: Water (Emergency Supply)

• Red Cross: Emergency Water Treatment

https://www.ready.gov/waterhttps://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdfhttps://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/making-water-safe.html

Best Water Filters for Disasters and Emergency Preparedness

In any disaster, wildfire, earthquake, flood, or storm, access to clean drinking water is critical. 

Emergency water filters are a must-have in your preparedness kit, offering safe, portable purification when supplies are cut off or water sources are contaminated.

Where to Purchase High-Quality Water Filters for Disasters

Equipping your emergency kits with reliable water purification is a key step toward resilience and peace of mind. Here’s how to find and choose reputable sources for high-quality water filters recommended for disaster preparedness:

Top Brands and Where to Find Them

1. LifeStraw

• Description: Famous for lightweight personal straw filters and family-sized gravity-fed systems.

• Best For: Individuals, families, or group preparedness.

• Where to Buy:

• Official LifeStraw website

• Major retailers: Amazon, Walmart, REI, Target

• Outdoor specialty stores

2. Sawyer Products

• Description: Ultra-compact Mini Filter (good for go-bags), squeeze systems for on-the-go, and bucket conversion kits for higher capacity.

• Best For: Personal and group kits, versatile setups.

• Where to Buy:

• Sawyer website

• Amazon, Walmart, Cabela’s, and REI

• Sporting goods stores (Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports)

3. Grayl

• Description: Portable bottle and press filter system; removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulates.

• Best For: Individuals wanting all-in-one grab-and-go protection.

• Where to Buy:

• Grayl website

• Amazon, REI, and select adventure travel shops

4. Outback Water & Alexapure Pro

• Description: Gravity-fed units with large gallon capacity, ideal for families or home shelters (no power needed).

• Best For: Groups, shelters, emergencies at home or churches.

• Where to Buy:

• Official manufacturer websites

• ReadyWise, My Patriot Supply, The Home Depot (Alexapure)

• Emergency preparedness suppliers online

5. MSR (Mountain Safety Research)

• Description: Rugged pump filters, including the MSR Guardian, popular with outdoor and emergency users.

• Best For: Groups, expeditions, extreme emergencies.

• Where to Buy:

• MSR website

• REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw, Amazon

6. Other Reliable Retailers

• Emergency Essentials: Wide selection of disaster gear, including filters like Berkey, Sagan Life, HydroBlu, and more.

• Beprepared.com: Emergency kits and filter systems for families or community groups.

• REI & Cabela’s: Trusted for outdoor and preparedness gear.

• Local preparedness stores: Often carry popular gravity-fed and portable filter options.

Tips for Buying Emergency Water Filters

• Compare prices and review return policies at both the manufacturer and trusted retailers.

• Look for certifications: EPA, NSF, or WHO standards on labels or product descriptions.

• Check stock regularly: During disaster season or emergencies, filters may sell out quickly.

• Consider extra filter cartridges for long-term use and multiple locations (home, go-bag, car).

• Read user reviews on retailer sites to gauge ease of use, filter speed, and taste improvement.

• Contact local outdoor retailers: In Los Angeles, check REI, Big 5 Sporting Goods, or sporting supply stores for hands-on assistance.

High-quality filters from these brands and retailers will ensure your family is equipped to handle water challenges during any disaster. Where possible, try out filter systems before adding them to your kit to make sure you’re comfortable with their operation and care.

How to Make Pool Water Potable in a Disaster

Converting swimming pool water into safe drinking water is possible in an emergency, but it requires careful filtration and treatment to remove chemicals and pathogens. Here’s the right way to approach it for your family or community:

Key Challenges

• Chlorine and Chemicals: Pools contain chlorine, algaecides, and other additives that are NOT intended for drinking and can be harmful if consumed.

• Microbes: Despite being chlorinated, pools may still harbor bacteria, viruses, or protozoa—especially if maintenance lapses.

• Saltwater pools: Require an additional desalination step.

Step-by-Step: Emergency Pool Water Purification

1. Pre-Treatment (Letting Chlorine Evaporate)

• Fill a clean, uncovered container with pool water.

• Let it stand for 24-48 hours, ideally in sunlight, to allow most of the chlorine to dissipate.

• Aerate if possible (pouring between containers) to speed up chlorine evaporation.

2. Filtration

Use a commercial-grade water filter—not just regular pitchers or camping filters—to remove visible particles and most microbes:

• Recommended Systems:

• High-quality gravity-fed filters (Berkey, Outback Ready, AquaBrick)

• Portable reverse osmosis (RO) systems (Oasis, similar to those used in disaster relief)

• Note: Many common straw filters (like LifeStraw) are NOT rated for pool chemicals/algaecides.

3. Disinfection

• Boil filtered water for at least one minute to ensure microbial safety (especially if the pool has not been maintained recently).

• Alternatively, use distillation: Boiling and condensing steam (solar still, electric or stovetop still). This removes almost all chemicals, microbes, and—if needed—salt for saltwater pools.

• Chemical removal: Reverse osmosis and distillation are best at removing both pathogens and residual chemicals.

4. Taste and Odor Control

• Activated carbon filters can reduce chemical taste and odor but are not always sufficient for full safety.

• If the water still smells strongly of chlorine after all steps, repeat the aeration/filtration process.

Equipment Table (for Families or Community Use)

Purpose	Equipment Needed	Notes
Evaporation	Open containers, sunlight	24+ hours; speeds chlorine dissipation
Filtering	Gravity filter, RO system, portable purifier	Removes bacteria and some chemicals; RO best for pools
Disinfection	Heat source for boiling or distillation unit	1+ min boil; distillation removes most contaminants
Desalination	Distiller or special RO for saltwater pools	Required for saltwater pools

Quick Emergency Options

• Gravity-fed filters (Berkey/Outback): Removes many contaminants but check if rated for pool chemicals.

• Portable RO (Oasis): Especially effective and can process pool water directly.

• Solar distiller: Low output but works without electricity.

Cautions

• Never drink pool water without extra treatment, even if it looks clear.

• Do not add more chlorine (pool shock) in an attempt to disinfect further—it’s already present and excess is unsafe for drinking.

• Avoid using water with strong chemical or algae odor, cloudy appearance, or debris.

Useful Links (for Community Reference)

• [Emergency Pool Use: Tips and Cautions]

• [Drinking Pool Water: Survival Prep]

• [Reverse Osmosis Pool Purification Video]

• [DIY Distillation and Salt Removal]

A properly maintained pool is a valuable emergency water source for non-drinking use (washing, flushing), but turning it truly potable requires thorough treatment—reverse osmosis or distillation are the safest choices. Always err on the side of caution for your family and community health.