Vintage rainwater filter

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

With the help of these instructions, you can make a rainwater filter from a wooden barrel.

We are so accustomed to the constant availability of water that we do not even think about where to get water if it is not available at the tap and in stores. However, life is an unpredictable thing, and it will be useful for each of us to have at least a general idea of a simple and cheap way to filter rainwater. In addition, the resulting DIY device, with due diligence, can be turned into a very beautiful decorative element for a country house.

There is an old book called Household Discoveries and Mrs. Curtis's Cookbook, released back in 1909. Essentially, it is a collection of housekeeping tips + a cookbook. In addition to thousands of old-school life hacks, it also has a way to filter rainwater coming from the drainage system.

In those days, wooden barrels were also used to store liquids, but in our realities, such an outlandish little thing can be replaced by plastic containers. However, decor fans will have to look for a wooden barrel. In any case, the principle of filtration will not change, and it is he who interests us.

Instructions

• We take a new wooden barrel.
• We install it at some distance from the ground, placing bricks or stones under the barrel.
• Install the tap at the bottom of the barrel.
• We mount a solid partition in the barrel (wood is also preferable as a material) at a height of about 10 cm from the bottom.
• We make a large number of small holes in the partition, after which we cover it with a water-permeable canvas.
• Now we need to make a “heart” - the correct filtering “puff”: first, carefully pour a layer of clean pebbles about 10 cm thick. On top of it we make a layer of clean river sand and gravel of about the same thickness. Next comes a layer of coarse (about the size of a pea) granular coal. Hard maple charcoal is ideal.

• We add coal to the barrel, taking into account that another 10-centimeter layer of pebbles fits into it, but before making the final layer, slightly tamp the contents.
• When the 4-layer filter is ready, cover it on top with another sheet. This cloth can be replaced as it gets dirty, and the filter itself is recommended to be renewed every spring and autumn.

As you can see, this instruction is intended for a sufficiently large container, but if you wish, you can make a compact filter even from a flower pot, following the same technique for creating filter layers.

The original article states that the water obtained from this filtration is drinkable, but in this situation, we would recommend not testing your stomach and immune system for strength without good reason.