How to Desalinate Water

Many people take fresh water for granted even though our existence depends on it. Over 97% of the earth's water is saltwater. Removing salt from saltwater, called desalination, takes less effort than you might think. Whether you need to desalinate water for a science experiment or want to brush up on your survival skills, this article will teach you how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Saltwater
• Large bowl
• Small glass
• Plastic wrap
• Marble
• Nylon sail
• Waterproof windbreaker
• Rocks

For a Science Experiment

1. Fill a large bowl with two cups of saltwater. Place a small glass in the center of the bowl.
2. Cover the entire bowl with plastic wrap. Place a marble on top of the plastic wrap directly over the small glass. The plastic wrap should now slope lower in the center of bowl.
3. Put the bowl in the sun for several hours, which will desalinate the water and drop it into the cup. Remove the plastic wrap and drink the water in the cup.

When Stranded on a Desert Island

4. Select a position where the wet sand meets the dry dunes. Lay a sail flat on the wet sand and trace its outline. Remove the sail.
5. Dig a round trench inside the triangle until it fills with two inches of water. Pile the excess sand around the outside of the trench. Place some sand in a pile in the middle of the trench. The outer walls of the trench should be twice as tall as the center pile.
6. Scoop a dip into the center pile of sand. Lay a windbreaker inside the dip to form a bowl. Stretch the sail over the entire trench, securing the ends with heavy rocks. Spread sand between the rocks to effectively seal the sail.
7. Place a rock on the sail over the center of the bowl. The rock should pull the sail downward to slope within the bowl without touching the bowl or pulling the sail away from its anchors.
8. Wait while the sun warms the trench water. Condensation will form on the underside of the sail and desalinate the water, dropping it into the center of the bowl.