How to Turn Salt Water Into Drinking Water

Ths sun makes salt water safe to drink.

Water is essential to human survival. However, about 97 percent of the water on earth is too salty for drinking, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Turning salt water into drinking water may be done with a sun, or solar, still. The process of removing salt from water is called desalinization. Using a still allows the water to condense on the plastic. When water forms vapor, it separates from the salt, leaving it behind.

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• Empty glass
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• Rock

Instructions

1. Pour the salt water into the large bowl. It should be about 2-inches deep.

2. Place the empty glass in the salt water in the middle of the bowl. Pick a glass that is shorter than the bowl, but taller than the depth of the water.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Tape the edges and form a tight seal.

4. Put a rock on top of the plastic wrap in the center of the glass. It will weigh down the plastic wrap. This is your solar still.

5. Place the bowl with the salt water in the sun for several hours. Make sure the seal stays tight by checking it during the day.

6. Take the plastic wrap off of the bowl when you see water forming in the bottom of the glass. This is the clean, salt-free drinking water.

References

• EPA: A Salt Water-Y World
• Educaiton.com: Make Fresh Water with the Help of the Sun!

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish