GRIDFALLSurvival
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Water · 2 hours · Basic

Build a Bucket Gravity Water Filter

Turn two food-grade buckets, sand, gravel and charcoal into a filter that clears muddy water before you disinfect it.

This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.

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Build a Bucket Gravity Water Filter

Warning

A sand filter alone does not make water safe. Always boil or chemically treat after filtering.

  1. 01

    Drill the buckets

    Drill a spigot hole 2 in. above the bottom of the lower bucket. Drill 10–15 small holes in the bottom of the upper bucket so water drips through.

  2. 02

    Layer the media

    In the upper bucket, from bottom up: cloth, 2 in. gravel, 3 in. charcoal, 6 in. sand, top cloth. Rinse each layer until water runs clear.

  3. 03

    Pre-settle the water

    Let collected water sit 12–24 hours so sediment drops. Pour only the clearer top water into the filter.

  4. 04

    Filter slowly

    Pour gently onto the top cloth. Slow flow = better filtering. Collect in the lower bucket.

  5. 05

    Always disinfect after

    Filtering clears water but does NOT reliably kill germs. Boil 1 minute (3 at high altitude) or add 8 drops unscented 6% bleach per gallon and wait 30 minutes.