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How to Convert a Mud Puddle to Potable Water

Without food, we can survive for weeks; without water, we'd be lucky to survive for a few days. In a survival situation, clean water procurement ranks at or near the top of the list of most important factors. Similarly, a camper may opt to find his or her drinking water on site and will have to ensure the water is clean and safe to drink. Either situation may call for the conversion of a mud puddle or other low quality source of water. Luckily, using the proper techniques, even muddy water can be converted into quality drinking water.

Things You'll Need

Tightly woven article of clothing
Water filter
Container

Instructions

- 1
  Hold your water filter's foam float on the surface of the mud puddle. If your water filter does not have a foam float, hold the suction hose as close to the surface as possible (away from the bottom, where most of the mud resides). Pump the filter to output fresh water into a clean container.
- 2
  Scoop some water from a mud puddle into a clean container. Let it sit overnight or at least several hours. After the sediment has fallen to the bottom of the container, slowly pour the water into another container. Filter the water using water purification tablets, a water filter or a UV sterilizer.
- 3
  Place a tightly woven article of clothing, such as a felt hat, over a container. Hold it in place. Scoop some water from a mud puddle into the container. Filter the water using water purification tablets, a water filter or a UV sterilizer. Use this method in situations where you do not have hours to let the sediment sit.

Nature