What’s Your Top DIY Water Purification Method?

[GarnetDusk]

Old-school boiling always works, but I’m curious about long-term solutions folks actually trust. Anyone have solid results with DIY bio-sand filters or solar stills off-grid? Looking to cut reliance on commercial tablets and filters.

 

[GarnetDusk]

Bio-sand filters have worked well for me, though they’re slow at first. Curious if anyone’s tried adding charcoal from campfires to theirs for extra purification?

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Charcoal from campfires can work, but be sure it’s from hardwood and fully cooled, not ashes. I layer it under sifted sand in my filter barrel and it really seems to grab more off-smells and funk. Water comes out clearer, especially if I give everything a rinse first. Anyone notice their sand filter needs less cleaning after adding charcoal?

 

[AquaFern1028]

I layer it under sifted sand in my filter barrel and it really seems to grab more off-smells and funk. Water comes out clearer, especially if I give everything a rinse first. Anyone notice their sand filter needs less cleaning after adding charcoal?

That’s interesting—mine collects less gunk, too, after I started mixing in charcoal bits with the sand. I still give it a good rinse every couple weeks, but definitely noticing less of that musty odor!

 

[BlueMarigold]

Charcoal definitely helps cut the weird taste in my setup too. Anyone try using crushed charcoal instead of big chunks for better flow?

 

[CeruleanScribe]

Crushed charcoal does seem to improve flow and surface area. Has anyone tried mixing different wood types for the charcoal or does that mess with taste or safety?

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Mixing different hardwoods for charcoal hasn’t caused any safety issues for me, but I do notice a slight taste difference sometimes—oak seems “cleaner” than, say, maple. Crushed charcoal definitely gets water running clearer and faster in my barrel setup. I’d say, avoid softwoods though, I tried pine once and the flavor was honestly awful, plus I’ve read it can leach stuff you don’t want to drink. Anyone else tried pre-soaking the charcoal before layering it in the filter?

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

Pre-soaking charcoal seems to help knock out the dusty taste for me, but I still rinse it before adding. Has anyone ever tried baking it dry after soaking?