Boiling concentrates toxins because steam is leaving as the water boils. When it's used for purification, it counts on killing the bad stuff in the water. Sadly, some bad stuff either survives normal boiling temperatures or forms cysts/spores quickly enough that it can regenerate or produce a second generation.
When steam rises, it's pure H2O -- Similar to how evaporation is a natural purification method for water in the precipitation cycle, but can concentrate salts in the soil. That steam is captured in the distilling process.
If you're distilling correctly, you're leaving behind all contaminants - all anything but pure H2O. In cases like this, you do run the risk of cross contaminating your steam-capture side with the raw water, and that becomes a problem.
There are numerous instructions for homemade water stills online, usually using readily accessible materials that are safer than the usual bush option of pot, stick, lid, and canteen cup that I usually point out. I would not use any of the methods that call for the catchment basin to be INSIDE the pot with the contaminated or suspect water. That's for people who want distilled water for an iron or craft project. There's too much contact and too much risk of splashing during set-up, boiling, and removal. Don't do the ones where you tape two bottles together. Again, there's immediate contact between "dirty" and "safe". You need one of the apparatus that allows you to fill a reservoir, then attach the steam catchment and funneling.
There is no way I spend $300 or the $800 one company wanted.
Depending on how big of a process you're going with, if you have a four-burner stove or a stove with a counter right beside it, or if you make a big holiday meal, you should have plenty of space up there for a distiller and still keep an eye or two for hash and eggs, oatmeal, and soup. I would be very leery of who is wiping down my counter as I'm hauling contaminated water back and forth, but an outdoor grill or a rocket stove is an option as well.
I would not use the rag/osmosis method somebody else mentioned. I don't know about this particular buggaboo, but as the water wicks up, it can easily carry things with it. You also have microbes that are semi-powered and can actually wiggle their way along the cloth. It's not like they know they're doing it and are screwing with you, they're just expanding like they would over a slide or rock. It's a whole different process than distilling and works great for some water issues, but not so good with others.
Good points there about the hygeine and contamination of dirty and clean
and wiping the counter and carrying dirty water inside.
I like the idea of using the rocket stove outside to keep it separated from inside.
Another idea if there is hydro, is to buy a small one burner electric hot plate.
It could be plugged in outside in garage or laundry room etc. to keep it far
away from kitchen. Then only clean water would be carried to the kitchen.
Sucks to be right all the time. 😆 Oh, why, couldn't I have been born dumb, pretty, and generally happy with the world and my lot in it. 😥
http://news.ca.msn.com/canada/lake-eries-algae-explosion-blamed-on-farmers-1
I have a Tactical Harness and I have a Tool Belt. The Tool Belt is more Useful.
I just sent an email to the makers or Chemiclean. It is a product that gets red slime algae out of salt water tanks. Based on what I have read, it may work but I will know soon enough when they answer my question. I am also waiting to here back from Berkey
Oldschool,
This issue is now a thing of the past, but I'm curious what Berkey may have answered to your query, if they have at all.
The Great Lakes have been a dumping ground for a century. All manner of toxic chemicals are there in whatever concentration. Love Canal is famous, there are many more like it and they all flow into one of the lakes, all ending up in Lake Ontario.
They'll never find what they don't look for and they won't look if the bodies aren't piling up. Look after yourself and do not drink water from the "settling pool" - the lakes. Ground source or rainwater.