Ok, I heard about this water filter that is made out of clay. It is like a clay pot that is unglazed on the outside. Some fine sawdust or even wheat flour or something such as this is mixed with the clay. During firing, this substance is burned away inside. This creates more tiny holes withing the entire structure.This clay pot does not have a hole in the bottom of it because you are not using it like a flower pot.

You can pour water inside and it will slowly filter through into another container.

Afterwards I think you can just let the pot sit in the hot sun to kill anything in the residue inside it. You probably must scrub it out with sand or something from time to time so a residue will not build up inside.

These are produced in African countries and in third world countries for water filters for the people. But you can not buy them in the United States.

I was thinking that it might be possible to get something such as this made, by contacting some pottery shop and trying to find someone who could duplicate the process.

But I also would be worried about lead contamination or heavy metals or chemicals or something that might be unsafe in the clay. It would have to be good clay sutable for this.

I was thinking that it might be possible to make one but I don't know if it would be possible using river clay that I just collected myself because I wouldn't have any idea of what it might contain as far as lead or mercury or something.

How would you do this?

Well I know the Potters for Peace people have a website. They don't sell the clay water filters though. They teach the natives to make their own I think. I suppose the clay in Africa is more free of chemicals and heavy metals than United States clay would be. Besides that, if you are in the desert and need water and someone offers a solution, you probably wouldn't worry so much if you get some heavy metals or lead. They are just very glad to have clean water at all.

I was thinking that it might be possible to just get a clay pot and use sandpaper or something to scrape away at the outside of it to remove any glaze. Then plug the hole up and just see if water will filter through or not. I just don't know if Terra Cotta pots in the United States would be good or not. I have heard of people cooking bread or cake inside of these pots. So maybe it would be ok.

I have heard of solar stills and also how to make a drip filter but I like the thought of these clay pot filters because they do sound like they'd work well if made properly.