How to Make a Homemade Water Filter with Charcoal

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EMERGENCY PREP

9/20/20244 min read

How to Make a Homemade Water Filter and Source Charcoal

Access to clean water is crucial for survival, and knowing how to make a homemade water filter is a valuable skill. This article will guide you through creating a basic water filtration system using materials that are often easily found in the environment or at home. We’ll also discuss how to source activated charcoal, one of the key elements for purifying water effectively.

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Materials You’ll Need

To create a homemade water filter, gather the following materials:

Plastic bottle or container (cut in half, or use a large one with an open top)
Cloth or coffee filter (to cover the opening)
Sand (coarse and fine)
Gravel (small and medium)
Activated charcoal (for chemical filtration)
Pebbles or small stones
Clean water collection container
Rubber band or string (to secure the cloth)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Container
- Cut the plastic bottle in half. The bottom half will collect the filtered water, while the top half will act as the filter.
- Turn the top half upside down (like a funnel) and place it into the bottom half.
Add the Filter Layers
- Cloth or coffee filter: Start by placing a cloth or coffee filter over the mouth of the inverted bottle. Secure it with a rubber band or string. This will stop large particles from passing through.
- Charcoal layer: Place a layer of activated charcoal on top of the cloth. Charcoal helps to remove impurities, including chemicals, odors, and contaminants.
- Fine sand: Add a layer of fine sand on top of the charcoal. This helps to trap smaller debris.
- Coarse sand: Layer some coarse sand over the fine sand to help further filter the water.
- Gravel: Add a layer of small to medium-sized gravel. The gravel helps to prevent the sand from getting into the water container and removes large particles from the water.
- Pebbles: The top layer should be made of larger pebbles or small stones. This will catch larger particles such as leaves, twigs, or dirt from the water.
Filter the Water
- Slowly pour water through the filter. It will trickle through the layers, with each stage removing different impurities.
- Collect the filtered water in the bottom half of the bottle or another clean container. You may need to run the water through the filter a couple of times for optimal clarity.
Boil or Disinfect
- Although the homemade filter will remove many particles and some contaminants, it is still recommended to boil the water for 1-3 minutes or use a chemical water treatment such as iodine or chlorine tablets to ensure all harmful bacteria and pathogens are eliminated.

Sourcing the Charcoal

Activated charcoal is one of the most important components of a water filter because it absorbs toxins, chemicals, and impurities from the water. While you can purchase activated charcoal from stores, it is also possible to make your own if you're in a situation where it's unavailable.

Here’s how you can source or make your own charcoal:

Burn hardwood: Find hardwood such as oak, hickory, or maple. These types of wood produce high-quality charcoal. Avoid using softwoods like pine, as they contain resins and impurities that can make them less effective for filtering.
Burn the wood in a low-oxygen environment:
- Build a fire and burn the wood until it becomes red-hot. Once the wood is burning well, reduce the oxygen supply by either covering the fire with dirt or placing the wood in a sealed metal container with a small hole to allow gas to escape.
- Allow the wood to smolder for several hours. This process, called pyrolysis, will turn the wood into charcoal by removing water and other volatile substances.
Crush the charcoal: Once the wood has turned into charcoal and cooled down, crush it into small pieces. Use a hammer or heavy object to break it up into tiny granules.
Activate the charcoal (optional but recommended for enhanced filtration):
- Place the crushed charcoal in a container and cover it with water.
- Boil the mixture for about 10-15 minutes. This will help open up the pores in the charcoal, increasing its surface area and making it more effective at absorbing contaminants.
- Let it cool, then drain and dry the charcoal thoroughly before using it in your water filter.

Alternative Sources of Charcoal

Commercial Activated Charcoal: If you're in an urban environment or have access to a store, commercial activated charcoal is ideal. You can find it in pet stores (used in fish tank filters), pharmacies, or online retailers.
Campfire Ashes: In a survival situation, you can use finely sifted campfire ashes or leftover charcoal as an alternative to activated charcoal. While this won’t be as effective as properly activated charcoal, it can still help filter out some toxins and improve water quality.

Important Notes

Do not use barbecue charcoal: The charcoal used for grilling often contains chemicals like lighter fluid or additives, which can be harmful to your health when used for filtering water.
Pre-filter if possible: For very dirty or muddy water, it’s a good idea to first strain it through a cloth or mesh to remove the largest particles before putting it through the homemade filter.
Regularly clean or replace your filter: If you’re relying on your homemade filter for an extended period, regularly clean the components and replace the charcoal every couple of uses to ensure it remains effective.

Conclusion

Building a homemade water filter is a valuable and life-saving skill in emergency situations, especially when paired with sourcing your own activated charcoal. While this filter will improve the water quality, always remember that boiling or chemically treating the water is the best way to ensure it’s safe to drink. With some basic materials and a little know-how, you can have access to cleaner water even when resources are scarce.