Clean drinking water is an essential component of off-grid living and survival.
Without access to clean drinking water, people would be unable to sustain their health and become dehydrated.
Water is not only crucial for basic hydration, but it is also essential for keeping people alive, healthy, and thriving.
Access to a reliable source of clean drinking water is critical for prepping and survival enthusiasts, as it will enable them to stay safe and healthy in an emergency.
Basic Container Hygiene
Clean water is essential for survival, and it is vital to ensure water safety. One way to do this is to ensure that water bottles and containers are kept clean and free from bacteria by regularly washing them with hot, soapy water and giving them a thorough rinse afterward.
It is also essential to ensure the bottles are completely dry before storing them away, as dampness can create an environment where bacteria can thrive. By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that your equipment does not contaminate your water supply.
But what about the water itself?
Bacteria can be present in water at its source, introducing bacteria into your equipment.
Silver As Water Preservation Agent
Silver is known for its anti-bacterial properties, as it can kill bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Silver ions penetrate bacterial cells when released into liquids and surfaces and disrupt the metabolic processes that allow them to survive.
Silver ions bind to the bacteria’s cell membranes, blocking the cells from receiving nutrients and causing them to die. Silver is an excellent tool for preppers and survival enthusiasts looking to stay off-grid and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Silver can be used to treat water, preventing the growth of bacteria that can make it undrinkable. It can also create anti-bacterial surfaces, providing hygiene and protection from disease.
Is Silver Safe?
Silver has long proven to be an effective tool for water purification. Silver is non-toxic and can purify large volumes of water quickly and easily.
Additionally, silver is more affordable than many other water purification methods, making it an ideal choice for preppers and homesteaders.
Related: Easy DIY Water Purification System For Under $20
Silver has been used since antiquity as a natural antimicrobial agent, and by placing a solid silver coin into a water bottle, you can help to kill any bacteria that may try to form.
In addition, silver coins are a lightweight and cost-effective way to ensure that the water you have with you is always safe to drink, and it’s a great way to stay prepared for any situation.
The silver from a silver coin will not contaminate the water in the bottle; instead, it will remain safe for human consumption. Therefore, water with a silver coin in it will remain safe from microbial contamination and will remain safe for drinking.
Only The Real McCoy Will Do
Knowing if a coin is solid silver or merely silver-plated is vital for preppers. Silver-plated coins could lose their plating, which can release other metals into the water.
Therefore, it is essential to use a solid pure silver coin. To test the authenticity of a coin, you can use a magnet. If the coin is attracted to the magnet, it is not pure silver, as silver is not magnetic.
Additionally, you can use a nitric acid test to see if a coin is a silver or merely silver-plated.
This test involves rubbing a small drop of nitric acid onto the coin. If the coin is silver, the acid will not react, and the coin will remain unchanged.
Related: What Happens If You Put Silver In Milk?
However, the acid will create a dull spot or discolor if the coin is silver-plated.
Getting Hold Of Real Silver
Preppers and survival enthusiasts looking to acquire solid silver coins can find them in many places. Online retailers often offer a wide selection of silver coins in various sizes, denominations, and styles.
Coin dealers and pawn shops are also great places to buy silver coins, as they often have a good selection of rare and collectible coins.
Additionally, many banks and credit unions offer silver coins, making them an excellent and easily accessible choice for those looking to purchase them.
Lastly, many local coin shows and conventions provide a wide selection of silver coins, allowing preppers to find the perfect ones for their needs.
Other Silver Options
Silver coins were traditionally used to purify water, but several other options are available to preppers and survival enthusiasts. For example, silver metal drops, also known as colloidal silver, can kill bacteria in water.
This method is relatively easy to use and requires only a few drops of silver in a water container. However, colloidal silver can be expensive and must be used carefully, as it can cause water discoloration if too much silver is added.
Another option for purifying water is to use silver wire.
Silver wire has been used for centuries to purify drinking water and can be fashioned into a wide range of shapes and sizes. In addition, silver wire is relatively easy to use and can be fashioned into various shapes to suit the user’s needs.
Finally, silver-lined water bottles are an excellent option for purifying water. This method requires a special water bottle with an interior silver lining. The silver kills the bacteria in the water and makes it safe to drink.
Silver-lined water bottles are easy to use and do not require any additional equipment. Regardless of your chosen method, it is essential to remember that silver effectively purifies water.
Each of the above methods has its benefits and drawbacks, so it is vital to research each option before deciding which one is best for your survival needs.
How Much To Use
In terms of quantity, the amount of silver needed to keep a given amount of water pure can vary depending on the application. For general use, an approximate guideline is that 2 grams per gallon is sufficient for keeping bacteria and other contaminants at bay.
Silver can also be used in reservoirs, but it is essential to remember that silver is not a filter and should be combined with other filtration methods to ensure the water is entirely free of contaminants.
You can learn here how to build a rainwater harvesting and purification system that will give you an endless supply of clean water to drink and cook with.
Is One Coin Enough?
A silver coin can keep water fresh for an extended period, but the amount of silver needed depends on how much water you want to stay fresh. Generally, 3 liters of water would require around 3-6 grams of silver.
Therefore, if using a silver coin, you will want to choose a coin that is at least one ounce in weight, or 28.35 grams.
When Not To Use A Coin
Silver coins are not recommended for camelbacks since they can be difficult to remove and may damage the material.
Instead, you can use a silver wire or silver mesh. Silver wire is a thin strand of silver that can be woven into a mesh and placed in the water container to keep it fresh.
Silver mesh is a more durable option and can be reused. Both silver wire and silver mesh can be purchased from various online retailers.
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I’ve been making my own colloidal silver for years now. It has a lot of healing properties.
Can not say I would use this as a primary method, but how long would it take for the silver to clear a gallon container of bacteria? Would it be minutes, hours, days??
I kept waiting for this question to be answered too. How long does it take to make water safe?
wow
been an electrician, electrical eng all my life ,had extensive training from HV to micro electronics
never heard of this
have to research and find if true
I asked chatCPT this question: “how long would it take for 3 grams of pure silver to clear a gallon of water of bacteria. please cite your source”
and this was the answer:
I’m sorry, but I cannot provide a specific answer to your question as it depends on various factors such as the type and concentration of bacteria present in the water, the method of silver application, and the purity of the silver used.
However, silver has been known for its antimicrobial properties, and it has been used for centuries to purify water. A study published in the Journal of Water and Health found that silver nanoparticles could effectively remove Escherichia coli (E. coli) from water within 30 minutes of exposure.
It is worth noting that the concentration of silver required for water purification is regulated by various agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. The EPA sets the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for silver in drinking water at 0.1 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
Therefore, while silver may be effective at removing bacteria from water, it is important to follow the guidelines set by regulatory agencies to ensure safe and effective use.
Isn’t ChatCPT fun? I try to ask questions to stump it and every now and then I do.
No its a government controlled program .
Don’t know about others but as for me…I will usually not use something approved by governmental regulatory agencies. Because they have proven themselves over and over again to error toward whoever pays them the most. Like most government agencies.
Absolutely. FDA/ Governmental recommendations are always made considering the amount of “green” in the deal.
We are all wise to do our own research.
Colloidal silver, made by using a 99% pure silver rod (or silver coins), is a valid use of silver to help remove impurities and assist the immune system.
Ever heard the saying: “Born with a silver spoon in their mouth”? It comes from our ancestors knowing that silver removes germs and helps us stay healthy. Newborns were given silver eyedrops when first born to prevent infections.
Colloidal Silver Benefits, 10 Uses of Colloidal Silver
There are more posts online about colloidal silver.
You must be careful if you make your own C.S., as taking too much can cause your skin to turn blue.
Most of the ‘negative’ posts about it are from sources that would be put out of business if natural solutions are made available for us to keep ourselves healthy, and widely used.
Prepper! Please answer the above questions if you want to be taken seriously
Silver coin used as a purifying agent goes back to ships of immigrants coming from Europe to United States. I have read about this how that water would become contaminated and the accidental dropping of silver coins in a water barrel. It was then realized that they didn’t become sick from this water. The conclusion was that silver removed bacteria.
Also, in the middle ages nobility used silver cutlery to eat with as they knew that silver kept food safe.
Interesting thought, that nitric acid will not react with a coin that is pure silver all the way through, and yet it will react with plated pure silver, because it somehow knows that there is a base metal hidden somewhere underneath. By the way, nitric acid does in fact dissolve pure silver, as well as copper and many other metals.
A surer test is to check the coin in a carefully graded container of water for its displacement, and then to weigh the coin. From that, calculate whether its volume matches the mass it should have if it is pure silver. Also, easiest of all, is to use a coin that is sold reputably as .999 pure silver, or that is a pre-1965 US silver coin (90% silver). Also, silver rings much like aluminum when it is dropped on a hard surface, and it has a similar white sheen, but its weight is much more. It is hard to counterfeit the weight/volume nature of silver, especially in combination with its other characteristics.
Settlers on their way out west used to toss in a silver dollar in their milk storage containers.
It kept the milk from spoiling.
Cowboys also tossed a silver coin into their coffee pots.
The release rate of the silver must somehow be tied to water temperature, time, and hardness.
To get that roughly 3 grams of silver in a gallon of water, a 1/10th ounce of ,999 fine silver round seems to be the right amount.
Warning about silver though – make sure there is the least amount of salt in whatever liquid you are trying to preserve.
Silver + salt over time can permanently turn your skin blue.
Canadian silver is the finest at .9999 – moreso than US .999
Thanks. Just bought 25 silver Canadian silver dollars.
Silver colloidal water works real good for a food poisoning or stomach ache. I have used it for that many times.
Not sure about a silver coin. Regular old US coins were made with 90% silver and 10% copper. Now days they have a lot of copper and maybe zinc too with just a thin dusting of silver on the outside. You can buy .9999% pure silver wire that has no copper.
Numismatic coins are generally Not pure silver. This means that you will have other minerals going into your water. Use bullion silver coins which generally are 0.999% pure.
Some one above said settlers came West putting in a silver dollar in milk, I had read a decade ago, they stored water in silver containers to keep the water pure. I have a gravity water filter on my kitchen for my well water with pure silver coins in the top and bottom parts – once you know it becomes common sense. These are Canadian pure silver coins.
Why doesn’t the prepper answer this question? Because he doesn’t know if it really works. He’s probably just a content writer. Do at your own risk
Lots of talk about silver and its benefits.I have had my own ( colloidal silver generator) from The Silver Edge,for many years. Steve Barwick is the owner.At 74 years old I have many testimonies of how great and useful colloidal silver is and encourage everyone ( especially preppers ) to research getting your own generator,you will not be disappointed.
Potassium permanganate is also a great chemical for making water safe to drink. Check it out. pz
I came upon colloidal silver years ago and have been taking about 5 ml per day ever since.
Covid did not touch me.
I bought a device to make – a power supply and two pieces of rod silver – the rods last for years -making your own is very inexpensive.
Where can I find a silver-lined water bottle? I found one called “S’well, Silver Lining” but that appears to just be related to the color of the bottle, not an actual lining of silver. I found a link to an inventor in Santa Clarita that made one, but couldn’t find an actual bottle to buy.
Anyone know or have a link?
This is off topic, but has anyone tried the Air Fountain? There is a link on here about turning air into fresh water and was wondering if anyone has done this and how it went building it and how well it works.
Thanks for any feedback.
alcohol kills pretty much anything (including you) so be careful experimenting. beer has many preservatives and a good shelf life and it’s easy to stock the way it’s packaged. use Clorox or chlorine to kill the bacteria. wrap charcoal in cheesecloth and drop it in your big containers. charcoal is also a purifier of bacteria. hydrogen peroxide works, too. like anything else, you need to so some experimenting with these products. i only mention these alternatives because of the price of pure silver. i don’t know too many people who can buy and stock pure silver to purify their water. don’t be afraid to find what works for you and your family. a few sips now and then won’t kill you. you may get a small belly ache but these results will lead you to the right combination for YOUR SITUATION. it may not or won’t work for other families. we all have to do what we have to survive. prepare a little if you can but if it came down to drinking water, the whole world will die anyway!