How to Make Drinking Water With a Sand Filter

Sand filtration is a simple method for cleaning drinking water that is still used in many drinking water plants in the developed world. If you like to hike, backpack or find yourself staying in a cabin with no access to a regular drinking water supply, you may need to build a sand filter to clean river or rain water before you drink it.

Things You'll Need

  • 35-gallon or larger food-grade plastic drum
  • Threaded outlet spigot
  • Screen mesh
  • Zip ties
  • Fine-grit sand
  • Coarse-grit sand
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill a hole near the bottom of the water barrel. Ensure the hole is large enough to screw in your threaded outlet spigot.

    • 2

      Screw your outlet spigot into the hole. Carefully turn the spigot clockwise. Do not over-tighten, as this can damage the threads and cause leaks.

    • 3

      Cut a small piece of screen in the wire mesh. Cover the inside of the outlet valve with the screen inside the plastic drum.

    • 4

      Wrap the screen around the outlet valve, and secure it onto the valve with a zip-tie.

    • 5

      Place the barrel in the location where you'll be using it. It will be almost impossible to move once it is filled with sand.

    • 6

      Fill the barrel halfway with fine-grit sand.

    • 7

      Fill the barrel the rest of the way with coarse-grit sand.

    • 8

      Run water through it, or wait for a heavy rain, to wash away the residual dust and particles on the sand.

    • 9

      Check to see if the water coming out of the spigot runs clear. Once it does, the water is suitable for drinking.