How to Build your Own Gravity Fed Water Filter System

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Jane Baldwin

Preparedness

Water filtration systems are expensive, there’s no doubt about that. I once wrote an article about a purchased filtration system that I had to put together myself, that wasn’t that hard to do. It was just slick because it was in a stainless steel housing, which is great if you don’t want to worry about plastics. It’s also on the expensive side because of the housing. But if you’re looking for a budget way to have this same type of filtration system, while using the same filters that give awesome filtration, you can do it yourself for just a fraction of the cost of a name brand system. Some estimates are from around $60-$130 including the filters. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on what equipment or kits you choose to use, etc.

There are a few ways to accomplish this, so I’ll list them so that you can go off and read. While I’ve never built one of these from scratch as I had a full kit, these folks have done it and use it, so I want to connect you to them so that you can learn.

How to make your own water filtration system

Watch the video to see it happen

For most of the DIY projects, you need to have 2 5-gallon buckets. You can get them through Home Depot or Lowes or any other place you can get them. While they aren’t technically food grade, the buckets from Lowes & Home Depot will work for this project 😉 However, you can usually get food grade buckets for free or cheap from restaurants, donut shops and grocery stores, just be sure that the lids are with the buckets and aren’t damaged. Can’t hurt to ask!

What you’ll need

  • 2 Food Grade Buckets – You can get them through Home Depot or Lowes or any other place you can get them. While they aren’t technically food grade, the buckets from Lowes & Home Depot will work for this project 😉 However, you can usually get food grade buckets for free or cheap from restaurants, donut shops and grocery stores, just be sure that the lids are with the buckets and aren’t damaged. Can’t hurt to ask!
  • Water Filter -you can go with a dome filter or 2-4 candle filters, each come with the rubber gaskets you’ll need.  You can use replacment filters form the big names, or you can go with alternatives that work as well if not better
    *See this chart for some comparisons)
  • Spigot
  • Drill and paddle drill bit This is to drill the holes in the top bucket to mount your filters to, plus a hole in the front of the bottom bucket to mount the spigot onto
  • Time – this is a project that shouldn’t take more than two hours to complete.

When choosing a filter, understand that the more filter you have, the faster them system will feed through as it’s gravity driven. You can use just one filter, but it will take a little longer than if you use 2 or even 4. The candle style filters fit 4 easily into the space of the bucket, but a ceramic dome filter will just fit the one which is a little bigger on its own.

Which Filter do you choose?

Well, that’s a personal choice. I like the ProPur brand, but there are quite a few really good filters out there  made just for this, that all filter just about the same way. Some filter out flouride, others don’t but they have a companion filter to add to it that will. I am partial to ProPur ceramics, myself.

Just Water Water filter kit (which is also sold through Cheaper Than Dirt though out of stock at this time)- this kit comes with all the pieces you’ll need to put your system together. You only need to purchase the buckets. (This link shows you a couple of photos of the system put in place using some of the clear liquid drink containers you can get from Walmart or Target.) (thanks to Joe for giving me the tip about this kit).

Read how Geek Prepper built his own unit .

Of course, if you’d prefer to just buy it, the Waterdrop is a popular option. Or go with a Berkey. It’s a great system and if you have the money for it, then it’s a great investment. I love that the stainless steel housing is available from both companies because it’s important to me, but they also have plastic models available which are a little more affordable.

However, if money is tight, you can have a system for around $60-$150 (depending on the filters that you purchase), build it in an hour or two, and begin providing your family with healthier water and a way to purify water in cases of emergency. It’s a win-win!

Have you built your own system? How did it work for you?

7 thoughts on “How to Build your Own Gravity Fed Water Filter System”

  1. This is valuable information. I had some plumbing issues, and the water was cloudy for a day. It was gross, and I bought distilled water to hold me over until the issue was fixed. If I’m in a situation where I can’t purchase distilled water, I know I have methods of filtration that I can do myself. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. You did great on this post, Jane! I once tried to build my own system but sadly it didn’t turned out so well, because, as expected from plastics, they don’t last that much in terms of storing water. I mean, I’m just not quite sure if the water in it is still safe for drinking after months of using those containers. So I ended up with Berkey’s stainless steel housing. :) Anyway, this information is mostly valuable when shtf though. Thanks for a good read!

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    • Well, the systems like this make your own or the Berkey aren’t for storing. I also wouldn’t rely solely on having a purification system without also having a water storage backup because water won’t always be available. Layered preparations are a must!

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