How to Find Water in Nature and its Purification
Water is the most fundamental necessity for us to live. Approximately two third of our body is made of it. To keep it doing its job properly, we should consume two or three litres of water daily. Especially when we do exercise or physical activity, such as hiking, this amount must be increased. Due to perspiration, we lose considerable amount of liquid and if it isn’t taken back, the body starts using its own storage and this isn’t good thing because of the water that is pumped through veins becomes less and the organs that need circulation are forced to work with limited source. Our cells shrink and that circulation eventually stops, causing a lack of oxygen flow to our muscles. Losing control begins. The question is when facing a shortage of it, do you have any idea as to where to find water in nature?
The importance of clean water
Without food we stay alive for a week or two, but without liquid, we cannot see three days later. After six hours being thirsty, dehydration starts and at the end of third day dying is inevitable. However, knowing where to look at and purification, we have chance to avert dehydration and bad water. Why did we say bad water? Because, we cannot drink all water we have found, even if it seems to be drinkable. There are too many organisms in the water that is in nature. It may have instant or future negative effects. By purifying it, we can only get rid of bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illnesses.
So, drinking from stream, river and lake without any process or urine, blood, sea water and ice are not our options. They seem to provide water but actually they don’t. Sea water is too salty that can harm our kidney and make the body require more fresh water than before and blood or urine are too dense and have many contents within that damages viscera. Moreover, although snow consists of water, eating it lowers our body temperature and the body puts a lot of effort to raise it, making us lose some energy. Essentially, it may speed the dehydration up. In winter camping, melt the snow (by boiling it) you have gathered to consume.
Where to look at to find water in nature
Animals always know where to find water in nature. Birds, insects or other kinds. They all are in dire need of it, like us. Following their route we can find a water source (but we have to mind our surroundings, while following the tracks!!!). Depending on the movements of the sun, birds leave trees, to the water, as a group and this little migration can help us (after sunrise and before sunset). And, the bottom of the valleys are the best places for water to flow. Descending, to where two mountains meet, we may see a stream. Even if we don’t see one, look at under the rocks that cannot see the sun. Water will show up.
Also, muddy ground shows that a groundwater source exists. Digging a hole, then waiting for a while, you will see that water appears. A bit murky, yet, after some time it will turn out to be more clear than it seemed before. It comes from rainwater. With enough purification it will be good to consume. Rainwater itself is potable by the way. Collect it using your items that enable this (empty bottles, cans, bowls or a raincoat you wear) during the rain. It has a different taste, though. You may not like it. But, when needed, it is the best choice we have.
Transpiration bag
There are other ways to have some water, too. Thanks to transpiration of foliage, some water can be collected in a plastic bag by wrapping completely leafy green branches. The plant will transpire and produce moisture that accumulates on the bottom.
Or, making a below-ground still, condensation of the moisture from the ground can supply clean water. Heat that comes from the sun make the ground moisture condense on the plastic material, and it will drop in our container as water. Just cover the top of the still with a plastic sheet and, for creating more moisture, some green foliage.
Additionally, before the sun rises, there forms heavy dew that can be collected with a cloth. On the surface of the leaves, there happen droplets of water and wringing the cloth over and over, a cup of water we may have.
Purification
First of all, carry chlorine tablets or purification tubes if you can. Chlorine tablets need thirty minutes at least to be fully effective. For purification tubes, you just use them as pipette without any other process. They have their own filter within. If you cannot have one of these, as we mentioned in our former essay ‘’True Camping”, our socks, preferably clean ones, will do as a filter for large bits of sediment. Having done this twice, that socks-filtered water should be boiled for ten minutes. After cooling down, you can drink it safely.
For better taste and additional filtering, there is another method. At the bottom of a container, make a tiny hole and place the bottom with some charcoal. The next layers must be sand, rocks, sand and rocks respectively. Water should pass through these five layers. Doing this twice, water comes through clearer than before and thanks to charcoal, it is odorless now. To make sure it is completely safe, as a last touch, we must boil it for a while, too.
