Practical Prepping Podcast: “Don’t Drink That! Busting 12 Common Water Myths in Prepping”

Hosts: Mark & Krista Lawley
Date: November 10, 2025
Episode: #532

Episode Overview

In this no-nonsense episode, Mark and Krista Lawley break down 12 common myths about water that often circulate in the prepping community. They emphasize that while water is critical for preparedness, misinformation can lead to unsafe or impractical prepping habits. Their approach centers on realistic and family-friendly advice—no apocalypse required—drawing from their practical experience to help listeners confidently manage water safety in real-world emergencies.

Key Discussion Points & Myths Debunked

1. Myth: You Can Store Water Indefinitely

Reality:

Water itself may not expire, but containers can leach chemicals (especially when sitting on concrete) and allow contaminants in over time.
Advice: Rotate stored water periodically and sanitize containers before use.
Quote:
- “If you put your water container on concrete, it can leach. So...put it on a pallet...separate them from the concrete.” (A, 03:38)

2. Myth: Boiling Water Removes All Contaminants

Reality:

Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but does not remove chemical pollutants, heavy metals, or sediment.
Advice: Combine boiling with filtration or chemical treatments for full purification.
Quote:
- “Boiling kills biological contaminants ... but it won’t remove chemical pollutants, heavy metals, or sediment.” (A, 04:11)

3. Myth: Rainwater Is Always Safe to Drink

Reality:

Rainwater can contain atmospheric pollutants, dust, or microorganisms, and be further contaminated by roofs and gutters.
Advice: Always filter and purify rainwater before drinking.
Memorable Moment:
- “If your rainwater is collected from the roof, you know, birds have been pooping on that roof, squirrels have been pooping on that roof. Nasty stuff has been following that roof.” (B, 05:23)

4. Myth: All Water Filters Are the Same

Reality:

Different filters target different contaminants (e.g., carbon removes taste/odor, but not viruses/heavy metals).
Product Advice: Sawyer Mini or Sawyer Squeeze recommended for emergency kits.
Quote:
- “For the get home bags and for emergency use, we recommend the Sawyer Mini or Sawyer Squeeze. Even over the LifeStraw...” (A, 06:31)

5. Myth: You’ll Always Find a Natural Water Source

Reality:

Natural sources can be dry or contaminated, especially in urban/arid areas.
Advice: Don't rely solely on finding streams/creeks; always have treatment options.
Memorable Moment:
- “Think about getting water out of the creek...and I think back as a kid seeing the cows standing in the creek and doing other things.” (A, 07:14-07:39)

6. Myth: Bleach Is Completely Safe and Effective for Purification

Reality:

Only fresh, unscented bleach is safe and only kills bacteria/viruses—not chemicals/metals/sediment.
Expired/scented bleach is harmful.
Tip: Use correct dosages (resource to be shared in next week’s guide).
Quote:
- “Using scented or expired bleach can introduce harmful substances into the water you plan to drink.” (A, 08:26)

7. Myth: You Need a Huge Stockpile of Bottled Water

Reality:

Bottled water is convenient, but not space-efficient or sustainable.
Advice: Use bulk food-grade containers and filtration systems for better long-term prep.

8. Myth: Distilled Water Is Best for Long-Term Drinking

Reality:

Distilled water lacks minerals necessary for health; extended use may cause deficiencies.
Practical Tip: Save thick distilled water jugs for storage (non-drinking).
Quote:
- “Drinking distilled water exclusively for extended periods of time can lead to some mineral deficiencies in the body.” (B, 09:56)

9. Myth: You Can Rely Solely on Purification Tablets

Reality:

Tablets kill pathogens but don’t remove sediment, chemicals, or bad taste.
Advice: Use tablets in combination with filtration.

10. Myth: Clear Water Means Safe Water

Reality:

Dangerous contaminants (bacteria, chemicals) are often invisible.
Advice: Always treat or filter wild water, even if it looks clean.
Memorable Quote:
- “You can’t see the little boogers and they will mess up your tummy.” (A, 11:12)

11. Myth: Stored Water Alone Will Get You Through Any Emergency

Reality:

Emergencies may outlast your supplies; evacuation limits how much water you can carry.
Stat: 1 gallon = 8.3 lbs; physically hard to transport.
Advice: Have portable filtration or purification tools, not just stored water.
Quote:
- “I'm not carrying 24 pounds of water.” (A, 12:06)

12. Myth: Freezing Water Purifies It

Reality:

Freezing may kill some bacteria but does not eliminate chemical or physical contaminants.
Advice: Thawed water still needs treatment.

Additional Tips, Resources & Notable Advice

Sawyer Mini/Squeeze vs. LifeStraw:
“We do have the LifeStraw as well, so not knocking them. But we do believe that the Sawyer has some advantages...it will screw onto the top of a regular water bottle so you can drink straight from that bottle.” (A, 13:54)
Free Resource:
Free one-page guide on choosing water storage containers is available at practicalprepping.info.
Next Week:
A new resource will include bleach dosage formulas for purification.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Water is the most crucial item that we can prepare for.” – Krista (A, 02:09)
“If I find it in the wild, it’s going through a filter, definitely.” – A, 11:25
“Stuff happens. Stay prepared.” – Show’s closing motto (A, 14:05; B, 14:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[02:54] Myth #1 – On storing water indefinitely
[04:02] Myth #2 – About boiling purifying everything
[05:01] Myth #3 – About rainwater’s safety
[06:01] Myth #4 – All filters are the same
[07:03] Myth #5 – Relying on natural sources
[08:14] Myth #6 – Bleach as a cure-all
[09:27] Myth #7 – Bottled water stockpiles
[09:56] Myth #8 – Distilled water for consumption
[10:41] Myth #9 – Purification tablets alone
[11:03] Myth #10 – Clear water = safe water
[11:44] Myth #11 – Depending only on stored water
[12:40] Myth #12 – Freezing purifies water
[13:54] – Filter recommendations & closing thoughts

Final Takeaways

Critical thinking and layering methods (storage, filtration, purification) are vital.
The right prepper mindset: “Knowledge over gear”—knowing what’s true can save your family far more readily than following internet myth.
Practical Prepping prioritizes do-able, real-world solutions over extreme scenarios.

Stuff happens. Stay prepared. And always question what you hear about water safety—your health may depend on it!

Practical Prepping Podcast: “Don’t Drink That! Busting 12 Common Water Myths in Prepping”

Hosts: Mark & Krista Lawley
Date: November 10, 2025
Episode: #532

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Myths Debunked

1. Myth: You Can Store Water Indefinitely

Reality:

Water itself may not expire, but containers can leach chemicals (especially when sitting on concrete) and allow contaminants in over time.
Advice: Rotate stored water periodically and sanitize containers before use.
Quote:
- “If you put your water container on concrete, it can leach. So...put it on a pallet...separate them from the concrete.” (A, 03:38)

2. Myth: Boiling Water Removes All Contaminants

Reality:

Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but does not remove chemical pollutants, heavy metals, or sediment.
Advice: Combine boiling with filtration or chemical treatments for full purification.
Quote:
- “Boiling kills biological contaminants ... but it won’t remove chemical pollutants, heavy metals, or sediment.” (A, 04:11)

3. Myth: Rainwater Is Always Safe to Drink

Reality:

Rainwater can contain atmospheric pollutants, dust, or microorganisms, and be further contaminated by roofs and gutters.
Advice: Always filter and purify rainwater before drinking.
Memorable Moment:
- “If your rainwater is collected from the roof, you know, birds have been pooping on that roof, squirrels have been pooping on that roof. Nasty stuff has been following that roof.” (B, 05:23)

4. Myth: All Water Filters Are the Same

Reality:

Different filters target different contaminants (e.g., carbon removes taste/odor, but not viruses/heavy metals).
Product Advice: Sawyer Mini or Sawyer Squeeze recommended for emergency kits.
Quote:
- “For the get home bags and for emergency use, we recommend the Sawyer Mini or Sawyer Squeeze. Even over the LifeStraw...” (A, 06:31)

5. Myth: You’ll Always Find a Natural Water Source

Reality:

Natural sources can be dry or contaminated, especially in urban/arid areas.
Advice: Don't rely solely on finding streams/creeks; always have treatment options.
Memorable Moment:
- “Think about getting water out of the creek...and I think back as a kid seeing the cows standing in the creek and doing other things.” (A, 07:14-07:39)

6. Myth: Bleach Is Completely Safe and Effective for Purification

Reality:

Only fresh, unscented bleach is safe and only kills bacteria/viruses—not chemicals/metals/sediment.
Expired/scented bleach is harmful.
Tip: Use correct dosages (resource to be shared in next week’s guide).
Quote:
- “Using scented or expired bleach can introduce harmful substances into the water you plan to drink.” (A, 08:26)

7. Myth: You Need a Huge Stockpile of Bottled Water

Reality:

Bottled water is convenient, but not space-efficient or sustainable.
Advice: Use bulk food-grade containers and filtration systems for better long-term prep.

8. Myth: Distilled Water Is Best for Long-Term Drinking

Reality:

Distilled water lacks minerals necessary for health; extended use may cause deficiencies.
Practical Tip: Save thick distilled water jugs for storage (non-drinking).
Quote:
- “Drinking distilled water exclusively for extended periods of time can lead to some mineral deficiencies in the body.” (B, 09:56)

9. Myth: You Can Rely Solely on Purification Tablets

Reality:

Tablets kill pathogens but don’t remove sediment, chemicals, or bad taste.
Advice: Use tablets in combination with filtration.

10. Myth: Clear Water Means Safe Water

Reality:

Dangerous contaminants (bacteria, chemicals) are often invisible.
Advice: Always treat or filter wild water, even if it looks clean.
Memorable Quote:
- “You can’t see the little boogers and they will mess up your tummy.” (A, 11:12)

11. Myth: Stored Water Alone Will Get You Through Any Emergency

Reality:

Emergencies may outlast your supplies; evacuation limits how much water you can carry.
Stat: 1 gallon = 8.3 lbs; physically hard to transport.
Advice: Have portable filtration or purification tools, not just stored water.
Quote:
- “I'm not carrying 24 pounds of water.” (A, 12:06)

12. Myth: Freezing Water Purifies It

Reality:

Freezing may kill some bacteria but does not eliminate chemical or physical contaminants.
Advice: Thawed water still needs treatment.

Additional Tips, Resources & Notable Advice

Sawyer Mini/Squeeze vs. LifeStraw:
“We do have the LifeStraw as well, so not knocking them. But we do believe that the Sawyer has some advantages...it will screw onto the top of a regular water bottle so you can drink straight from that bottle.” (A, 13:54)
Free Resource:
Free one-page guide on choosing water storage containers is available at practicalprepping.info.
Next Week:
A new resource will include bleach dosage formulas for purification.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Water is the most crucial item that we can prepare for.” – Krista (A, 02:09)
“If I find it in the wild, it’s going through a filter, definitely.” – A, 11:25
“Stuff happens. Stay prepared.” – Show’s closing motto (A, 14:05; B, 14:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[02:54] Myth #1 – On storing water indefinitely
[04:02] Myth #2 – About boiling purifying everything
[05:01] Myth #3 – About rainwater’s safety
[06:01] Myth #4 – All filters are the same
[07:03] Myth #5 – Relying on natural sources
[08:14] Myth #6 – Bleach as a cure-all
[09:27] Myth #7 – Bottled water stockpiles
[09:56] Myth #8 – Distilled water for consumption
[10:41] Myth #9 – Purification tablets alone
[11:03] Myth #10 – Clear water = safe water
[11:44] Myth #11 – Depending only on stored water
[12:40] Myth #12 – Freezing purifies water
[13:54] – Filter recommendations & closing thoughts

Final Takeaways

Critical thinking and layering methods (storage, filtration, purification) are vital.
The right prepper mindset: “Knowledge over gear”—knowing what’s true can save your family far more readily than following internet myth.
Practical Prepping prioritizes do-able, real-world solutions over extreme scenarios.

Stuff happens. Stay prepared. And always question what you hear about water safety—your health may depend on it!

Don’t Drink That! Busting 12 Common Water Myths in Prepping

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Summary

Practical Prepping Podcast: “Don’t Drink That! Busting 12 Common Water Myths in Prepping”

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Myths Debunked

1. Myth: You Can Store Water Indefinitely

2. Myth: Boiling Water Removes All Contaminants

3. Myth: Rainwater Is Always Safe to Drink

4. Myth: All Water Filters Are the Same

5. Myth: You’ll Always Find a Natural Water Source

6. Myth: Bleach Is Completely Safe and Effective for Purification

7. Myth: You Need a Huge Stockpile of Bottled Water

8. Myth: Distilled Water Is Best for Long-Term Drinking

9. Myth: You Can Rely Solely on Purification Tablets

10. Myth: Clear Water Means Safe Water

11. Myth: Stored Water Alone Will Get You Through Any Emergency

12. Myth: Freezing Water Purifies It

Additional Tips, Resources & Notable Advice

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Final Takeaways

Summary

Practical Prepping Podcast: “Don’t Drink That! Busting 12 Common Water Myths in Prepping”

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Myths Debunked

1. Myth: You Can Store Water Indefinitely

2. Myth: Boiling Water Removes All Contaminants

3. Myth: Rainwater Is Always Safe to Drink

4. Myth: All Water Filters Are the Same

5. Myth: You’ll Always Find a Natural Water Source

6. Myth: Bleach Is Completely Safe and Effective for Purification

7. Myth: You Need a Huge Stockpile of Bottled Water

8. Myth: Distilled Water Is Best for Long-Term Drinking

9. Myth: You Can Rely Solely on Purification Tablets

10. Myth: Clear Water Means Safe Water

11. Myth: Stored Water Alone Will Get You Through Any Emergency

12. Myth: Freezing Water Purifies It

Additional Tips, Resources & Notable Advice

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Final Takeaways