I honestly don't understand why in 2015 there isn't a simple
   effective means of desalinating water.* afaik, SAND does a fine
   job of it and there's plenty of that, and a classic whole town
   filtration system is a large heap of dirt.* Water trickles
   through the massive amount of sand, and at the bottom, it's
   clean. Let it set in the sun for a day and UV takes care of the
   rest. And of course bleach.* hint: 1-2 drops per gallon and you
   only have to wait 30 seconds - 1 minute if I remember right.* 1
   drop for most times, 2 if you REALLY are uncertain about the
   quality (like, you know, someone pooped in it before you scooped
   i out). Best way to get a drop of bleach?* Pour a tiny bit in a
   cap.* Get a tiny strip of toilet paper.* One half in, the other
   half out.* Let the bleach wick through the toilet paper, and let
   1-2 drops fall into your gallon of water. Boom, drinkable, no
   aftertaste.* Proper proportions.