How to Make a Water Maker

To make water where there apparently isn't any, like in a desert or camping in the woods with no streams or apparent water sources, is a fairly simple process involving condensation and solar energy. You need sun, a moist layer of underground and a few implements to create and capture condensation from the soil and available vegetation.

Instructions

1

In the desert sand or a sunny clearing in the woods, dig as many curved as you have containers and plastic sheeting to completely cover the holes. The size of the holes may vary, depending on how much plastic sheeting you have. Generally, they should be the same size around as deep, usually six inches to two or three feet.

In the desert you may have to dig deeper, depending on the depth at which you reach moist sub-soil. Feel around the inside of the hole--when it feels cool, you have dug deep enough. It's important in a desert that you do this at night or you will sweat as much water from your body as you may be able to collect. You want to conserve as much water in your body as possible to prevent dehydration.

2

Place the can, cup or other container in the center of the hole. If there is any vegetation in the vicinity, place the plants around the container but no higher than the depth of the hole.

3

Place the plastic sheeting over the hole so that it extends about 4-inches to 6-inches beyond the hole and thoroughly cover the edges of the plastic close to hole with mounds of sand or rocks. Don't leave any gaps around the hole for moisture to escape.

4

Place a small to medium stone or a handful of sand in the center of the plastic to create a dimple in the plastic, bringing the plastic to a point at which any condensation can drip into the container. Make certain the rock or sand hasn't created any openings on the plastic around the edge of the hole. If it has, either use a smaller rock or less sand in the middle. In either event, re-cover any part of the plastic that has lost its airtight seal.

5

Repeat steps 1 through 4 for as many containers as you have to capture the water. The sun will do the rest. The heat from the sun will cause condensation to form on the plastic and run on the underside of the plastic to the dimpled point of the plastic and drip into the container. Once a hole has run dry and no more water condenses on the plastic, repeat the process digging more holes using the same plastic and container in the dry hole.