How to Find Drinking Water in the Desert

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Get potable water to quench your thirst in dry climates

Co-authored by Hannah Young

Last Updated: November 26, 2024 Approved

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Pit-style Solar Still

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Plant Condensation

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Video

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Tips

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Warnings

Dehydration can set in quickly in the desert. If you are lost in a barren landscape you can actually extract water from soil or plants through the process of condensation, using the techniques described below. It's not really "making" water, but it'll be lifesaving nonetheless.

Things You Should Know

Dig a few holes 19 in (50 cm) deep in a dried river bed, or until you reach moist soil.
Fill the holes with nearby, non-poisonous plants and place a cup or canteen in the center of each hole.
Stretch a bit of plastic wrap over the holes and weigh it down at the edges with dirt. Then place a rock in the center to channel condensation into the cup.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Pit-style Solar Still

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These locations are the best place to seek moisture.
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Dig a few curved holes (the more the better) about 19 inches (50 cm) deep so that the moist subsoil is clearly visible.^{[1]
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Research source}
- If you are in dryer conditions, the moist subsoil may be slightly deeper. Dig until you find it.
- Do not dig the hole/holes in the shade. This process needs direct sunlight to work correctly. Look around and make sure that shade won't move over your solar still before evening arrives.
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Research source}
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Place an open coffee can, mug, cup or canteen in the center of each hole.
- If you have a length of plastic tubing, you can run it from the bottom of the coffee can out the edge of the hole. You can use the tubing to suck the water from the can without dismantling the still.
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Create a seal by pouring sand in a circle around each hole along the outside of the plastic wrap.
- Pour the sand 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) from the edge of the plastic wrap. Ensure that there are no gaps. The plastic wrap must seal the hole shut; if it is punctured, the water will not condense.
Keep the plastic wrap from touching the can or else the water will not drip into the can.
^{[3]
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Research source} The water will condense on the plastic wrap because it cannot escape the hole and will drip into the can. If you have installed plastic tubing, drink from that.
Alternatively, you may dig deeper using the established hole/holes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Plant Condensation

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Do not use tape - the heat will prevent the tape from adhering effectively to the bag.
The plant transpires water during the process of transpiration.
Make sure the water collecting in the bag won't drip out.

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Tips

The Pit-style Solar Still technique can also be used to purify dirty water and urine.^{[4]
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Research source} To do this, replace the container from an existing hole with a vessel holding the tainted water, doing everything else the same. If you don't have a container, pour the tainted water directly into the hole.^{[5]
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Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't waste time while you're waiting. Instead, make a number of stills of different designs to increase your water harvest and as a safeguard in case your first still fails.

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Helpful 10 Not Helpful 2
If in the Sahara Desert, dig a very deep hole before setting any water harvesting equipment (homemade or otherwise).

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The best way to survive in an environment as harsh and unforgiving as the desert is to know as much as possible beforehand. Practice camping or backpacking trips in safer or similar environments to put your knowledge into practice.

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Warnings

You may lose more water perspiring while digging than the still will generate for you in the end, depending on the moisture in the soil, how hard the soil is to dig, and what you're digging it with.

Thanks
Helpful 18 Not Helpful 0
Contrary to what is written in some popular survival books, the solar still will not provide adequate water to keep a person alive, even if it is constructed in moist soil. It is the last resort.

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