Transforming Pool Water into Drinking Water: Is It Possible?
- Alex Arnwine
- Aug 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Transforming Pool Water into Drinking Water: Is It Possible?
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 lifespan 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
Tip: For your family’s emergency planning, have several purification methods. families to include both a water filter and chemical backup in every emergency kit, along with printed instructions.
: https://www.ready.gov/water: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdf: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/making-water-safe.html
FEMA - Food and Water in an Emergency
fema[PDF] Food and Water in an Emergency - FEMA
Suggested Emergency Food Supplies
NATIONAL CENTER FOR HOME FOOD PRESERVATION
Food Safety and Sanitation
Cooking
Level-Up Preparedness Kits (Advanced Add-On) Specialty Gear
Rocket stove
Solar generator (Jackery)
Fire escape ladder
Gas shut-off tool
READY MADE MEALS
Your Gateway to Food Safety Information
FAMILY EMERGENCY SUPPLIES CALENDAR
A comprehensive emergency kit can help you and your family remain self-sufficient during a disaster. While putting a kit together can
seem daunting, you can make it easier on yourself by assembling the kit in small, achievable steps. Use the Supplies and Task
Calendar to check off your supplies and complete your weekly “to do” list.
Build A Kit
After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your
household may need in the event of an emergency.
Emergency List for Families with Infants and Young Children
Kit for Elderly
12 Tips to Prepare the Elderly for Disasters - Emergency Kit Checklist
Emergency Kit for the Car
Plan long trips carefully and listen to the radio or television for up-to-date weather forecasts and road conditions. In bad weather drive only if absolutely necessary.
Sanitation Supplies
Toilet-in-a-bucket kit Shop Portable Toilets https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+toilet
Biohazard waste bags Shop Here https://www.amazon.com/s?k=biohazard+waste+bags
Cooking & Heating Kit
GoSun Solar Cooker https://gosun.co/products/sport
4Patriots Sun Kettle https://4patriots.com/product/sun-kettle-solar-water-heater
• Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies
• Non-Prescription and Prescription
• Medicine Kit Supplies
• Equipment and Tools
Disaster Supplies Checklists
KEYS TO MY WISHES Should go Here
Make A Plan
Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Make sure your family has a plan and practices it often.
