When it comes to storing items at home to ready your family for a potential large scale disaster (or worse), the first thing that comes to mind is food. Although food is certainly important, when it comes to priorities, it’s not the most important.
It is WATER that’s at the top of the list.
I’ve spoken to enough people to know that it’s very common to have ample food storage, but no extra water on hand at all – or a proven system to get more. Large scale disasters make a habit of taking regular water sources (municipal or well) out of commission by either knocking out the electricity (which in turn stops the pumps) or by simply polluting the water supply with sewage. Either way, there are only two real solutions to almost every disaster water supply issue:
- Have your own self contained water store.
- Have a proven, ready-to-go system for purifying or filtering water that you can gather.
Personally, it’s my opinion that a healthy combination of both is ideal. The subject of this article, however, is the latter – setting up your own household disaster water filtering system.
Until recent years, a system like this was expensive or cobbled together or both. However, the folks at SAWYER have made it their global mission to use the best technology to make simple products that keep you going regardless of your journey — whether camping or ultralight backpacking, keeping your kids safe and hydrated, or bringing clean water to developing countries.
It really is amazing the line of water filtering products they’ve created. I’ve used their SAWYER Mini Squeeze system while backpacking and in my Bug Out Bag for several years now.
But, for a larger scale “home use”, they have a product that is a no-brainer for anyone serious about disaster preparedness.
In fact, they have two filter options. The first is called the PointOne Filtration System which removes greater than 99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa (also filters 100% of microplastics). The price for the PointOne Kit is around $50 and this is the one I’m teaching about in the video below.
The second is called the Point ZeroTwo which is certified for 0.02 micron absolute filtration and will remove 99.997% of viruses (exceeding EPA and NSF recommendations), as well as harmful bacteria (like salmonella), protozoa, or cysts like E. coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerae, and Salmonella typhi (also filters 100% of microplastics). The price for the Point ZeroTwo Kit is around $140. I’ve included the Amazon.com links to these items below for convenience:
- Point One Filter System Kit: https://amzn.to/2Q2aRcp
- Point ZeroTwo Filter System Kit: https://amzn.to/2HiY0zK
Both filters install and work identically. The best part is that all you need to build the system is a 5-Gallon bucket, a drill, and 2 minutes.
I’ve filmed a video below that shows exactly how to assemble and use the system. This is a video that I’ve pulled from my Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag Course at http://www.outdoorcore.com.
A LIFETIME OF USE
I think the most impressive feature of this system is the ability to backwash it, which restores 98.5% of the filters flow-rate. Gone are the days that you throw away expensive filters after extended use. Not only do you never need to replace this filter, but it can filter up to 540 GALLONS of water per day using the 5-gallon bucket gravity fed system. INCREDIBLE!
So, there you have it – the $50 Off-Grid Disaster Water Filter System I use in my own home.
What’s your plan for water? Please share so others can learn!
Remember, it’s not IF but WHEN,
source : Creek Stewart