We've got the food thread,I didn't want to derail it so I'm starting this one.

What's the best way to preserve/purify water for when you're on the go. Boiling is good I suppose,you can even hold a plate over the water and collect any salt in it. But are there any other ways of getting drinkable water,on the move?

For water you can get those water purifing tablets that work pretty good. The only bad thing about them is they leave bad taste in your mouth, but i dont think you have to worry about how your water tastes in sitx. Also they work alot faster then boiling.

You can also get a portable water purifier for around $100 if you want. I have never used them but i heard they work fine. And They are probably better in a survival sitution because they would last longer.

And one final thing, for storing water I dont think you need anything special besides a clean container.

Boiling will often make water drinkable. A simple distillation will remove many impurties, even most chemicals.

You can put water under a plastic tarp sitting in the Sun, and the water will evaporate and condensate on the plastic tarp. If you angle the plastic tarp downward toward a second container, you can make the condensated water droplets run downwards and collect there.

The second container will have drinkable water. (Assuming the plastic tarp or the 2nd bowl isn't already contaminated.)

[edit on 25-3-2008 by bsbray11]

Aside from everything mentioned in this thread, would a capful or two of hydrogen peroxide 3% to a gallon of water help purify and kill bacteria?

Thank you!

Two birds, one stone...

The best method to preserve water post-x would be to design your latrine area so that urine is collected seperately from solid waste.

This would enable you to reclaim the water through evaporation/condensation methods leaving the by-products from the process available to fertilise your food crops with (and it makes for an excellent fertiliser!)

tie a plastic bag around a couple of large leaves on a tree and make sure its sealed, then come back a day later, and you have drinkable water.