How to Make a Homemade Water Filtration System that Will Filter Muddy Water

If you are out camping or have issues with your water supply being muddy, you can create a homemade water filtration system that will eliminate the particulates in the water. If you have the means to purchase a proper filtration system, then you should because it will also eliminate bacteria that can make you sick. A homemade system will eliminate the mud, but the microorganisms may slip through.

Instructions

• 1

  Find two containers. You need to find two large plastic bottles. One will be used to filter the water and the other will be used to capture the filtered water. Cut the end of one bottle so that the wide end is open, this is where the sand will go in. The other bottle is not cut in any way as it will capture the filtered water.

• 2

  Fill the cut bottle with sand and gravel. It may seem counterintuitive, but you can use sand to remove sand, dirt and other particulates from muddy water. Put about two inches of pebbles on the bottom of the cut bottle as a stopper to keep the sand from falling out of the bottle when you add the water. Then fill the bottle with sand.

• 3

  Pass water through the filter. Gather up the muddy water and begin pouring it into the cut bottle filled with sand. The sand will capture the particulates in the water and slowly drip out the open small end of the cut bottle. Position the second bottle under the cut bottle to capture the water as it drips out. You can repeat the process several times to make sure as much of the particulates are out of the water.

• 4

  Boil the water. While the water may appear clear, microscopic organisms can't be seen with the naked eye. Boiling the water for 10 minutes will kill the organisms and make the water safe for drinking, according to the University of Missouri Extension.