[Kartographer]

As for the water I assume the "ss thing that sits on the drain board" you reffer to is a Berky and so I am not sure what type of solution you are seeking. Most bucket type systems are pretty much the same, but in my estimation the basic Berky set-up it is the least complicated and best 'base camp' set-up. If you don't like the Stainless Steel Berkey container or donot wish the expense of one you can do as I did and build your own using food grade buckets and Berky filters like this: http://www.alpharubicon.com/kids/homemadeberkeydaire.htm There are other products that are less expensive, but when you comapare gallon for gallon and the wide range of contaminates both chemical and biological that a Berky removes they are hard to beat.

[Rannug]

Thanks for the info. Your suggested link shows exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this so valuable thread. Lots of good info.
By the way, ss = stainless steel. Lazy fingers. And I do remember the pitcher pump on the drain board at home when I was growing up. I also remember the wood fired kitchen cook stove, and the outhouse at the far end of the sidewalk. All points of progress are not beneficial. Folks did not need all the government “they need” today. Friends, family, and neighbors, were much more important then. Folks were more self sufficient. More comfortable with life and living. Enough rambling. Again, thank you for the good advice and thread.