Small-Scale Water Desalination & Purification Methods
Quick Comparison for RVs, Hikers, Camping, and Emergency Use
| Method |
Output Rate |
Time Needed |
Water Source |
Cost per Liter |
Best For |
|
🌞Solar Still
|
0.5–1 L / day |
All day |
Seawater |
$0.10–$0.20 |
Survival / Emergency |
|
🔥Fire-Heated Distillation
|
0.7–1.5 L / hr |
40–90 min/L |
Seawater |
$0.10–$0.50* |
Camping, Emergency, Improvised |
|
🔥Fire-Heated Still (Portable)
|
1–2 L / hr |
30–60 min/L |
Seawater |
$0.20–$0.60* |
RVs, Boats, Camping |
|
💪Manual RO Pump
|
0.5–2 L / hr |
30–60 min/L |
Seawater |
$2–$5 |
Emergency, Expeditions |
|
🔋Electric RO Unit
|
2–3 L / hr |
20–30 min/L |
Seawater |
$0.50–$1.50 |
RVs, Boats |
|
💡UV Purifier
|
0.5–1 L / 90 sec |
1.5 min/L |
Freshwater |
$0.10–$0.25 |
Fast, Hiking/Travel |
|
🚰Squeeze Filter
|
1–2 L / min |
30–60 sec/L |
Freshwater |
$0.01–$0.05 |
Outdoor Use |
|
🛁Gravity Filter
|
1–3 L / 10–15 min |
4–5 min/L |
Freshwater |
$0.02–$0.10 |
Groups/Campsites |
|
💊Chemical Tablets
|
1 L / 30 min |
30 min/L |
Freshwater |
$0.05–$0.20 |
Backup Method |
Desalination (Solar/RO, for Seawater)
Thermal Desalination (Fire/Heat, for Seawater)
Purification (for Freshwater)
Cost per Liter
🌊Seawater Source
🚰Freshwater Source
🔥External Heat (Fire/Camp Stove)
* Cost for fire/still methods includes fuel (wood/gas), amortized device cost, and is highly variable depending on fuel source and local conditions.