Remembering the Old Ways: Water

Water is life. But not all water is safe.

In the old ways, knowing how to find, collect, and purify water was not considered a skill—it was simply part of living. We didn’t question where our water came from. We followed the land. We read the flow. We knew what the body needed and how the Earth provided.

To remember water is to remember trust.

To move across the land with your eyes tuned to where it pools, trickles, seeps, or falls.

To learn the difference between clean and questionable.

To know what to do if the tap no longer runs.

Where to Find Water

High, fast-moving water is almost always your best option. Springs, upland streams, and flowing water that begins in rock or hillside is cleaner, colder, and less likely to be contaminated.

Look for:

Streams that originate far from roads, farms, or industrial land
Springs bubbling up through rock or clay
Clear, fast-running water with no algae, foam, or smell
Rainwater collected directly from tarps, trees, or clean catchments

Be cautious of:

Stagnant water, ponds, or lowland areas
Water near roads, livestock fields, or buildings
Algae blooms, chemical smells, oily sheens
Murky, slow-moving water that hasn’t been refreshed

Water flows downward—look to the valleys, hollows, and base of hills.

Pay attention to bird calls, insect hums, and the plants that love moisture.

Green patches in dry places often lead you to hidden springs or seepage points.

Gather – Filter – Purify

Every water source, even if clear, should go through three steps:

Gather

Use a clean container. Scoop water from a running stream without disturbing the bottom. Avoid surface film or collecting near banks where debris may gather.

Filter

Filtering removes sediment, dirt, and larger particles. You can:

Pour through clean cloth, a coffee filter, or natural fibre
Make a layered filter: gravel, sand, crushed charcoal (from your fire)
Use a survival filter bottle (like Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw)

Purify

This is what makes water safe from bacteria and parasites.

Boil for at least one full minute (three at high altitudes). Let it cool naturally.
Solar disinfection (SODIS): Fill a clear plastic bottle and place it in direct sunlight for 6+ hours.
Purification tablets can be used in emergencies, though they may affect taste.
Iodine (only in small, precise amounts if nothing else is available—use with caution).

Boiling is the most reliable and natural option, especially if you’re already tending a fire.

How Much Water You’ll Need

The average adult needs between 2–4 litres per day—more in heat, physical activity, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

This includes water for:

Drinking
Cooking grains, dried food, or foraged plants
Basic washing of hands, tools, or wounds

Prioritise drinking water first. You can wash with less, but your body cannot go without hydration.

Storage and Movement

Once purified, store water in:

Stainless steel or glass bottles
BPA-free canisters kept in a cool, shaded place
Covered containers to prevent insects, dust, or light spoilage

If you’re on foot or moving often, always carry:

A metal container (so you can boil water over a fire)
A simple filter system or emergency tablets
A collapsible container or water bag for gathering and storing

Rainwater can be gathered using tarps, leaves, or even your own clothing in an emergency—wring it into a container, then filter and purify as usual.

Practising the Skill of Water

Don’t wait for a crisis to learn this. Practise now.

Find and collect wild water
Boil and taste it
Try filtering with cloth or charcoal
Carry a basic kit with you when you walk or camp
Learn how much water you use in a day when living simply

The more you do it, the more natural it becomes.

Soon you’ll feel yourself drawn toward clean water by instinct—not guesswork.

When You’ve Remembered Water

You’ll stop assuming taps are forever.

You’ll notice streambeds even when they’re dry.

You’ll feel a kind of peace just knowing that wherever you are, you can drink.

Because you know how to gather, clean, carry, and honour what gives life.

This is what it means to remember water.