Using Solar Power to purify Water

If one is camping or drinking water from a rural well i.e water that had not passed through all the purification and treatment steps, then the bacteria and viruses present can cause very serious damage to the body. National Geographic, in an article, describes a natural way of purifying water. Although it does not completely remove highly toxic pollutants but still it is declared more efficient than the simple boiling process. The steps go as follows:

Step 1:Wash and dry a plastic bottle and remove all labels. The bottle should be clear to let in as much light as possible.

Step 2:Choose a relatively clear section of water if you are gathering water from a stream. Mud and other floating matter can detract from this method's effectiveness.

Step 3:Remove the bottle cap and place the neck of the funnel into the mouth of the bottle. Stretch the cloth across the funnel and tie or hold it in place. The cloth filters particulate matter from the water.

Step 4:Scoop up some water with a cup or bucket and pour it slowly over the cloth into the funnel.

Step 5:Stop filling the bottle when it is 75 percent full. Replace the cap.

Step 6:Shake the bottle vigorously for about 20 seconds.

Step 7:Place the bottle horizontally on a flat surface like a rock or a rooftop. Ideally, the surface should be dark or reflective. Corrugated tin roofs work best, but any surface works as long as it receives direct sunlight.

Step 8:Let the bottle sit for at least 6 hours. If the sunlight is indirect or the sky is cloudy, let the bottle sit for 24 hours.