If one day you find yourself at the summit of towering mountains, spending the entire day traversing vast forests, with your water supply exhausted and a painful thirst gnawing at you—surrounded by endless forest and no visible source of water—how will you use your wits to obtain the hydration you need? Most of you may have never had such an experience, but if you were in that situation, could you immediately find a water source?
Where Can Water Be Found?
Unless you're in a vast desert, finding water is generally not difficult, and plant-based water substitutes are abundant all around. As long as you have a deep understanding of plants and sharp powers of discrimination and observation, securing water can be quite straightforward. First, let’s talk about common sources of water from the team at Tansilu:
Groundwater: This includes snowmelt from high mountains, stream water, rainwater that has seeped underground, water accumulated in valley lowlands, and spring water flowing from rock crevices. All of these can be considered groundwater. Such water sources are relatively easy to access, but make sure to disinfect them before drinking.
Surface Water: This includes muddy water, rainwater, and dew. Here are methods for collecting it: Muddy Water: First, fashion a conical grass tool about a foot long from straw, pour the water into a filtering container, and collect it at the bottom. Filter it several times and then disinfect before drinking. Rainwater Collection: When it rains, make a hole in a large tree trunk, insert a bamboo tube, and let the rainwater flow down the tube into a container placed at the bottom. If you lack tools to make a hole, wrap a long cloth strip around the tree trunk, leaving about a foot inside the container, allowing the rainwater to be guided along the cloth into the container. Dew Collection: Place a metal sheet outdoors overnight; water droplets will condense on it and can be collected. Alternatively, dig a shallow pit about three feet in diameter on the ground, cover it with a tarp (or paper, clothing, taro leaves, etc.), then arrange rocks on top to form a V-shape about three inches high. The dew will flow down the rocks and accumulate on the tarp. The next day, remove the rocks to collect 3–5 cc of water, then disinfect and drink.
If both surface and groundwater sources are dry or the available water is unsafe to drink, you can find alternative water sources from plants. Methods for collecting such water are outlined below:
Water Trees: Trees that are thick-trunked, broad-leaved, and bear many fruits typically store ample water within. Using a sharp tool, make a hole in the trunk and water will flow out. However, make sure to make the hole after sunset when it's dusk to successfully obtain water.
Water Vines: Found near streams and in moist areas below 800 meters elevation. Cut a section of the vine, and water will gush out. Once it stops flowing, cut another section about a foot above the previous one, and water will flow again.
Cacti: Various types of cacti contain a lot of water. Cut off the top, and the liquid will flow from the cut. Then mash the fruit’s rind and pulp to suck out the juice using a straw. However, if the juice is milky white, do not drink it as it may be toxic. Wild Sugarcane: Just make a hole in the stalk, and water will come out. You can also cut off the leaves and drink directly from the cut, though it tastes a bit astringent. But if there are no other options, wild sugarcane is one of the best plant-based alternatives for water. Palm Trees: This method takes more time. Cut down the trunk, chop off the top, lay it diagonally on the ground, and catch the water at the base using a container. Every eight hours, cut off a section of the stem, and you can collect about five to eight cc of water per day.
Bamboo: Large varieties such as moso bamboo, ma bamboo, and mao zhu bamboo contain small amounts of water in their stems. Dry-cut bamboo stems contain even more water, especially if harvested after rain—but be sure to check whether the water inside the stem is clean.
Coconuts: Young, unripe coconuts are edible, while mature coconuts contain juice that is incredibly refreshing and thirst-quenching. It can also help treat constipation and indigestion.
Wild Luffa: Cut the stem and root, and collect the water in a container—or wrap the cut area with plastic and retrieve it the next day, yielding about five to six cc of water.
Another way to find water is by observing animals, as their presence often indicates a nearby water source. Also, pay attention to whether the water is clean. A common testing method is to spit into the water’s surface: if it quickly disperses, it’s likely safe to drink. If it forms a cohesive blob and doesn’t disperse, the water is not clean and must be disinfected before consumption.
Common Disinfection Methods:
Boiling Method.
Iodine Disinfection Method: Add iodine from a first aid kit at a ratio of 8.2% per 1000 cc of water.
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