How to Build a Water Filter

Clean and clear drinking water

Making your own water filter is a great alternative to purchasing expensive commercial water purification systems. Just about anyone can make a water filter from easily obtainable items with very little time or effort. All the necessary parts can be purchased from a hardware store, and assembly is simple and straightforward. Systems using ceramics or charcoal are considered the best for removing the most contaminants possible.

Things You'll Need

• Large food grade plastic receptacle
• Plastic lid
• Large ceramic pot
• Drill
• Hole saw
• Spigot
• Rubber washers
• Nut
• Adjustable wrench

Instructions

1. Clean the plastic receptacle and lid with soap and water, and rinse thoroughly. Clean the ceramic pot by soaking it in clean water overnight then rinsing.

2. Use a hole saw inserted in your drill to cut a hole into the side of the plastic receptacle 4 inches up from the bottom, just large enough for the spigot to fit into. Use a clean rag to wipe away any plastic shavings left over from cutting the hole.

3. Place a rubber washer on the threaded end of the spigot, and place the threaded end into the hole cut into the receptacle. Place another rubber washer on the end of the spigot where it comes through to the inside of the receptacle, and screw the nut onto the end of the spigot. Tighten firmly using the adjustable wrench, being careful not to over-tighten.

4. Rinse the receptacle out with clean water to remove any leftover plastic shavings from the spigot assembly.

5. Place the ceramic pot into the plastic receptacle so that it hangs in the receptacle by its lip.

6. Fill the ceramic pot with water and place the lid on top to seal out dirt and insects. If the water is cloudy or very dirty, place a cloth over the top of the assembly before pouring in water to filter out the large particles.

7. Allow the water to filter through the ceramic pot and into the receptacle for at least three hours, and open the spigot to pour out the filtered water. Keep the assembly filled with water for fastest filtration.

8. Clean the ceramic pot every month by scrubbing it with a cloth or soft brush and clean water, then rinse. Do not clean the ceramic pot with soap. Wash the receptacle with soap and water and rinse. Replace the ceramic pot when it becomes cracked, filters too slowly or has been in use for three years.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing your materials, be sure that the ceramic pot has a lip around its upper edge that will not fit past the lip on the receptacle, and does not have drainage holes in its base. It must fit into the receptacle and hang by its lip, not fall into the receptacle to the bottom. Choose a lid that will cover the entire edge of the ceramic pot.

• Be careful not to crack the ceramic pot. Cracks will allow bacteria and contaminants into the filtered water.

References

• Save Water 4 Kids: Ceramic Pot Water Filter

Resources

• EPA: Water Filtration