Cover the hole with the plastic sheet; the sheet should be anchored around
its perimeter with rocks or other heavy objects. Place a small rock or other
weighted object in the center of the plastic sheet, ensuring that the lowest
point of the sheet is now directly above the receptacle.The idea behind a solar still is that solar energy heats the air, soil, and
vegetation (if available) in the hole by passing through the plastic sheet.
Moisture from the soil—all soil has moisture—evaporates and condenses
on the low point in the plastic. Added vegetation (nonpoisonous!), such as
leaves, grasses, or seaweed, can help speed up the process, and since solar
stills also purify water, the condensed water that collects on the underside
of the sheet will be fit to drink.
Creating a Solar Still
- A lastditch watermaking
method, the solar still can
produce and purify enough
water to keep you going for
a while. Place a receptacle in
the middle of a vegetation
lined hole. - Put a plastic sheet on top of
the hole, with a stone over
the receptacle. The receptacle
under the plastic catches and
collects the droplets that con
dense from the vegetation.
Water (^) | 81