Why not try drinking a little sunshine this summer?
Did you know the sun offers natural water filtration properties? Solar water traditionally combines cobalt blue with sunlight in order to alter the structure of the water molecules. Cobalt blue glass comes in a variety of forms. These 32 ounce glass cobalt blue bottles are available through Bottles and Foamers.
After filling each with tap or filtered water, place the bottles in direct sunlight for up to 6 hours. Recommendations vary from 1 hour to 6 hours. There’s no harm in leaving it longer.
(If using tap water it’s a good idea to leave the bottles uncapped overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate.)
Some suggest keeping the bottles uncapped after placing in the sun to avoid changes in pressurization. I cap mine loosely.
I conducted a taste test with family members, offering a glass of tap water and a glass of solar water.
The tap water is pictured on the left below, solar water on the right. The tap water had been sitting for 20 minutes. (I have written previously about contaminants in tap water in a post titled Water Quality.)
The vote was unanimous in favor of the solar water. Participants noted the solar water tasted “sweeter and lighter.”
(Note: I have not done any lab testing on this solar water, nor am I aware of any lab testing done on solar water.)
While I still rely primarily on our Berkey water filter, I’ve been using solar water for kombucha, water kefir, and other fermented beverages. The kids enjoy drinking it straight from the refrigerator.
These bottles would be perfect for traveling—a cheap, simple, reusable water bottle! You can easily leave it in a hot car and not worry about chemicals leaching into the water.
This filtration method would be excellent to use with water from a gravity-fed spring. Wondering about gravity-fed springs? There may be one near you. See this previous post.
What do you do to filter your water? Have you tried solar water?
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Sharing this, thank you!
Thanks for the encouragement, Amber!
This is SOOO cool! I don’t know why I don’t know more about this! I am now on a mission to learn more about solar water lol! Thanks so much for teaching me something new today!
<3
Thanks for stopping by, Christina 🙂
This is myth from the 1870’s. Blue glass does nothing to purify water. However leaving water to air for 24 hours to three days will let chlorine dissipate from your water. Blue is pretty though
I’m so going to try and find some of these bottles for the summer time here in Australia. Our family drinks so much bottle water this is such a great idea.
I loved reading this post 🙂 I have never heard of solar water before, I will be giving this a try.
Nice to hear from you, Roechelle!
What about fluoride?
I honestly don’t know when it comes to specific contaminants. I solarize my filtered water to give it a nice boost. It seems like it’s quite purifying but as I mentioned have not seen specific testing on this. If I had a choice between solar water and water in a plastic bottle I know that I would choose the solar water…but it’s hard to know isn’t it?
where can you purchase these bottles from?
A couple of possibilities: Amazon, Suburst Bottle, Freund Container Company. I bought the ones from Freund. I know there are other sites too.
Hi there, I started making solar water a couple of weeks ago, before reading this article. Is it necessary to use a blue bottle? I’ve used clear one litre glass bottles. I also have some brown glass bottles. I look forward to hearing any helpful responses.
As I understand it, it’s the cobalt blue properties that purify the water. I’m not sure about brown, but everything I have read suggests the blue is necessary. Let me know if you find out something different as there is not a lot written about it.
Aloha from Maui…googling around about Blue glass water bottles and found your site. I love all the topics you cover…fantastic. I thought you might be interested to check out http://www.bluebottlelove.com for a deeper appreciation and honoring of water…The cobalt blue glass is amazing for making the water taste sweeter as well as raising the oxygen content in the water. Solar Blue Water is a ho’oponopono tool for cleansing the energy from the water and from your body that does not serve you. At Blue Bottle Love, our bottles are sandblasted with positive intentions…making your water not only delicious, but also structured with the intention that you want your water to carry. Honor your water everyday…love your water and it will love you back!
Good to know another source for cobalt blue bottles. Thank you.
Hi Andrea,
I love the work that you and your husband do! Could you provide a little more info. on Berkey filters? Does testing prove that it is more effective than other filters? I have read many positive reviews about Berkey, but I haven’t really found any scientific evidence regarding effectiveness of any filters. We currently have a Brita filter, but are dissatisfied with the taste and quality. Thanks so much!
I’m not sure there is a perfect option out there, but I have a good gut feeling about the Berkey. I like the taste and it clearly reduces the level of contaminants. I came across this review of the Berkey. See what you think. They have tested numerous filters.
http://www.waterfilterlabs.com/Big-Berkey-gravity-water-filter-heavy-metals-lab-results.html
Thank you! We ended up buying the Berkey and I really like the taste.
Thanks for letting me know, Tiffany. I’m glad to hear.
I live in the Pacific NW and it’s rare to get numerous sunny days in a row in the winter time. What are your recommendations for making solar water on overcast days?
That’s an excellent question, Suzanne. There is so little written about this and of course, I have not done true lab testing on the topic. The question is do some of the beneficial rays still get through on overcast days. I suspect some do, but not as much as bright sun. I will continue to research this and if I come across something I will let you know.
Can you do this when your out to sea with salt water?
I know that I would not feel completely confident but I also would not hesitate to try this and would certainly prefer it over not filtering!
I am from India and where can I get Blue Bottle. Also if sunlight unavailable then the bottle needs to kept near bulb or in room where bulb is ON. Also I do forgiveness but unable to forgive past memories.
I’m not sure on the blue bottle purchase! Perhaps Amazon?
Nice
I m from india.
Its very old technique of purification of water.
Actually, in hindusim scripture, there are many healing technique on solar rays.
Every colour has own properties. If u fill water in blue bottle glass and remains for 8 hours in presence of sun rays then the water will change in medicine.
And its used in jaundice,headache, energising body, pain in joints, mc irregularities in women and in many more fatal diseases.
Thanks for the feedback, Vikas!
I live in Michigan. I am sure you heard about the water crisis in Flint. What are your thoughts on blue glass solar purification taking the lead out of the water?
I feel more confident in the Berkey water filter. But if I had to choose between tap water and solar water I would go with the blue purification. But since I haven’t tested it’s hard to know just how thorough it is. Berkey has done quite a bit of testing of their filters.
If you read up about Surya Chikitsa (Solar water therapy) in ancient Indian scriptures you will know that many color bottled can be used for specific healing purposes. Its been practiced in India by few now. Its part of the ancient healing methods.
I would like to introduce you and your readers to Blue Bottle Love blue glass water bottles..sandblasted with positive intentions and made with thick true blue Italian glass. These bottles are super durable and very beautiful….I would love for all of you to have the opportunity to check them out! I love reading other people’s interest in BLUE!
I didn’t know about these bottles! Thanks so much for letting me know. They look beautiful.
Hello, thank you for this informative post.
“Some suggest keeping the bottles uncapped after placing in the sun to avoid changes in pressurization. I cap mine loosely.”
Do you know why this affects the charging of the water? The best sun charged water I’ve had was when I left an open glass in the sun for a about an hour, and drank it right away. For 3 years, I was putting a gallon jug in the sun tightly capped, and it didn’t seem to have the same taste or charge. It seemed like there was a little improvement from from how it was originally, but never as good tasting as that first glass I had that was left in the sun.
Do you remember where you read about pressurization? Do you know any other good articles on sun charging water that have additional information on it? Thank you very much! I love your site. Those 10 lessons you’ve listed are so true! Wow! Thanks again 🙂
Unfortunately, I can’t help, Mark. If you learn anything specific I would be interested in hearing. Thanks for the encouragement.
I looked into purchasing this berkey on the link provided, but they no longer sell the system. It seems it must be purchased from other stores like this: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/