Filter out the water before consuming it if there is a large amount of dirt or debris floating around in it. Coffee filters or clothing such as socks can be used for this purpose. Pour the water through the fabric and into a clean receptacle. Repeat until all the sediment has been removed from the water.
Boil drinking water whenever possible. Water used for bathing or hand-washing typically does not need to be purified, as the soap or cleanser used in the process does an adequate job of disinfecting. However, any water that you plan to consume or use for cooking should be boiled for at least 20 minutes beforehand. If you do not have a stove, a small hotplate or even a campfire can be used for this purpose. Bring the water to a full boil and cover it if you have an implement with which to do so.
Add a drop of liquid bleach to every eight ounces of drinking or cooking water to be consumed. Do not add more than one drop or you risk making yourself ill by ingesting large amounts of bleach.
Add two drops of liquid iodine per one quart of water. Alternately, add two drops of liquid chlorine to one quart of water and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before using for consumption or cooking. Note that using these chemicals is not harmful in the above amounts, but may cause the water to have a somewhat unpleasant taste.
Add water-purifying tablets to the water. These should be purchased ahead of time and kept with you in case of emergencies. Allow the tablets to dissolve into the water before consuming.
