The Self-Reliance Library
Solar Still — Field Sheet · The Self-Reliance Library
SOLAR STILL
Water Security · Build Sheet
The Self-Reliance Library C01.S1.N09 selfreliancelibrary.com
The sun pulls clean water from damp soil or plants. A clever backup — not a main water source. Watch it work, drop by drop.
⚠ HONEST LIMITS. Makes only a few ounces to ~1 cup a day. Does NOT remove all chemicals — some fuels and solvents evaporate too. Never build over suspect soil. Keep a real water plan (stored water, boiling, filtering) as your primary.
1
Shallow sunny pit
safe soil only
2
Cup in center
plants/water around it
3
Seal plastic edges
no vapor escapes
4
Weight the center
cone over the cup

1 Solar Still Cutaway

damp soil / plants cup weight vapor rises plastic sheet
  • Sun warms the damp source → water becomes vapor.
  • Vapor hits the cooler plastic and condenses into droplets.
  • Salt, mud & microbes stay behind in the soil.
  • Droplets slide down the cone and drip into the cup.
  • It's a tiny rain machine — same cycle as real weather.

2 Collection Cup + Plastic Slope

gentle cone cup centered
SIDE VIEW · DRIP OVER CUP
cup below sealed edges
TOP VIEW · SEAL ALL EDGES

3 Do This / Not This — Setup

DO

  • Full direct sun all day
  • Edges sealed airtight
  • Weight directly over the cup
  • Gentle cone with a clear low point
  • Safe, clean soil source

NOT

  • Built in shade
  • Loose, leaky edges
  • Drip point off to the side
  • Sheet pulled flat & tight
  • Soil that may hold fuel/chemicals
FIX: no droplets → more sun + more damp material · missing the cup → recenter the weight stone. selfreliancelibrary.com · C01.S1.N09