Make any water safe to drink

1. 1

   Let it settle

   If the water is cloudy, let it sit until the dirt sinks, then pour the clear water off the top through a cloth or coffee filter.

2. 2

   Filter it

   A gravity filter or LifeStraw removes bacteria and parasites. Most filters don't stop viruses or chemicals, so for unknown water, filter and then disinfect.

3. 3

   Boil it (the gold standard)

   Bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes. Let it cool covered.

4. 4

   Or use bleach

   Use plain, unscented bleach. For 1 gallon of clear water: 8 drops of 6% bleach, or 6 drops of 8.25% bleach. Stir and wait 30 minutes. It should smell slightly of chlorine. If it doesn't, repeat and wait 15 more minutes. Double the drops if the water is cloudy or very cold.

5. 5

   Or use tablets

   Follow the package. Most need 30 minutes for clear water.

6. 6

   No fuel and no bleach? Use the sun

   Fill clear plastic bottles (2 liters or smaller) with clear water, lay them on their side on a roof or reflective surface in full sun for 6 hours, or 2 days if it's cloudy. The sun's UV kills germs. It doesn't work on cloudy water.

7. 7

   Improve the taste

   Pour boiled water back and forth between two clean containers a few times to put air back in it.

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