BELOW-GROUND WATER STILL

To make a below-ground still, you need a digging tool  or stick, a container, a clear plastic sheet, a drinking tube and a rock.
Select a site where you believe the soil will contain moisture (such as a dry stream bed or a low spot where rain water has collected). The site should, of course, be east to dig, and sunlight must hit the site most of the day.
To Construct the Below-Ground Still:

• Dig a bowl-shaped hole about three feet across and two feet deep
• Dig a sump in the centre of the hole. The sumps depth and perimeter will depend on the size of the  container that you have to place in it. The bottom of the sump should allow the container to stand upright.
• Anchor the tubing to the containers bottom by forming a loose overhand knot in the tubing.
• Place the container upright in the sump.
• Extend the unanchored end of the tubing up, over, and beyond the lip of the hole.
• Place the plastic sheet over the hole,  covering it's edges with soil to hold in place.
• Place a rock in the centre of the plastic sheet
• Lower the plastic sheet into the hole until  it is about a foot and a half below ground level. It now should form an inverted cone with the rock as it's apex. Make sure that the cones apex is directly over your container. Also make sure the plastic cone does not touch the sides of the hole, because the earth would absorb the condensed water
• Put more soil on the edges of the plastic to hold it securely in place and to prevent the loss of moisture. Plug the tube when not in use so that the moisture will not evaporate.

You can drink water without disturbing the still by using the tube as a straw.
You may also want to use plants in the hole as a moisture source. If so dig out additional soil from the sides of the hole to form a slope on which to place the plants. Then proceed as above.

If polluted water is your only moisture source, dig a small trough outside the hole  about one foot from the stills lip. Dig the trough about ten inches deep and three or four inches wide. Pour the polluted water in the trough. Be sure you do not spill any polluted water around the rim of the hole where the plastic touches the soil. The trough holds the polluted water and the soil filters it as the still draws it. The water then condenses on the plastic and drains into the container. This process also works extremely well when your only water source is salt water.

Fortunately, in much of Canada and the rest of North America, water is plentiful (Canada owns 20% of the world's fresh water supply. In mountainous areas, just continue to walk downhill and you will eventually find water. Water obeys the laws of gravity quite well! Watch animals or follow their tracks. They will usually lead to water as well. Birds also tend to congregate near water-not to drink...for many do not actually drink...but because other birds, insects, plants, and other items on which they may feed are also usually more abundant near water. If you are getting water from streams or ponds, boil before drinking, or use water purification tablets. I you cannot boil it or have no purification tablets,  The ground itself makes for a great water filter. If you are near a water source that is less than clean, use the ground to filter it. Go about fifty feet from standing water, and dig. If your pit looks less than clean after you hit wate, give it a few minutes, or  continue scooping out water and discard until it cleans up. This same method works even for sea water. Tor sea water I suggest moving a little further inland....maybe fifty yards or more before digging. You should strike fresh water there. The further you can go without a significant increase in elevation, the better your  chances of getting a good fresh water supply.

In frigid areas do not eat snow...melt and purify,the water will only be as pure as the ice  or snow from which it came.Eating snow can reduce body temperature and will lead to more not less dehydration. Do not drink seawater without desalting
If possible, catch rain in tarps or in other water-holding materials or containers. If a tarp or water- holding material has become encrusted with salt, wash it in the sea before using (very little salt will remain on it).Sea ice that us gray in colour or opaque is salty. Do not use it without desalting Sea ice that is crystalline with a bluish cast has little salt in it.