The water purification system is a simple but effective way to produce potable water.  It consists of two five gallon buckets and a sediment filter coupled to an activated carbon filter.  The crude water is first chlorinated with approximately 3 cc of commercial bleach per 5 gallons and allowed to sit in a separate bucket for at least 45 minutes to provide ample time for disinfection.  It is then poured into the top bucket, where it is filtered through the sediment filter and the activated carbon into the bottom bucket.

The filter units are inexpensive and offer a convenient method of producing potable water.  Testing has indicated that the life span of both the carbon and sediment cartridges is considerable -- systems that have been in place for at least two years now are still removing chlorine as efficiently as filters that have been newly distributed.  The useful life of the sediment filter varies widely depending on the water that is being filtered.