How to Make a Low-Cost Water Purifier
Making a low-cost water purification system is a great way to enjoy fresh, clean water at home. It can also make for a great science project for the kids or to obtain fresh water while camping outdoors or hiking. With a few simple materials, purified water can be enjoyed in just a few minutes.
Items Needed:
- Cotton or synthetic material
- PVC pipe
- Small pebbles
- Charcoal pellets
- PVC glue
- PVC connector
- Duct tape
- Small screen
- Faucet aerator
- Take two 3-inch pieces of PVC pipe and put them together using a connector and glue. Do not let the glue get on the inside of the pipe. They should be around 30mm in diameter.
- Get some screening, which can be found at any local hardware store, and tape the screen around the edges of the pipe. This will be one of the filters for the water.
- Put pebbles, roughly one inch, into the second piece of the PVC pipe and then add the charcoal on top of the pebbles. You can find both of these items in any fish store. Place the rubber and screen from the faucet aerator and put it on top of the PVC for extra protection.
- Add cotton or fiber on the top part of the PVC pipe. This acts as a collection device for all of the larger particles in the water.
- Add the water through the water purification system and use a clean water bucket or tank to collect the fresh, clean water in. Drink or store the water as desired.