Abstract:
A water treatment and conveyance apparatus that has a barrel with two ends, each with an indentation to accommodate a handle made of a heavy-duty material, two side members, a transverse grip member and two transverse support members that fit securely into the indentations of the barrel ends. One end of the barrel (the top) has at least one hole accommodating a removable cap, a removable inlet filter of mesh to screen out particles from entering water, and a removable outlet filter. In use, the handle is attached to both ends of the barrel in the indentations and the barrel is rolled and pulled to a water source and back to the puller&#39;s abode. After filling the barrel, a cleansing chemical such as a chlorine tablet is added to the water to help sterilize the water in transit.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to water purification methods and apparatuses, and more particularly to portable water purification apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Access to safe water is vitally important to the health, stability, and development of impoverished regions. Nearly half of the population of the developing world suffers from illnesses caused by a lack of access to safe water and sanitation. In rural communities with limited supplies of safe water, people suffer not only from waterborne illnesses but also from malnourishment caused by food shortages, because a lack of safe water inhibits the cultivation of healthy crops for food. 
     One factor behind the shortage of safe water in impoverished regions is a lack of infrastructure. Without reliable plumbing, electricity, and roads, it can be impossible to maintain a supply of clean water for everyday activities. Inhabitants of impoverished regions currently spend large amounts of time obtaining water. Because water is fairly heavy, a limited amount can be carried by an individual, usually a woman, in a single trip. Trips to fetch water can be several miles, and several trips may have to be made. This can be incredibly physically burdensome on the individual and also leaves little time for the individual to work in a job or care for family members. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water treatment and conveyance apparatus illustrated arranged according to the principle of the invention, including a rotating barrel, a handle, and caps applied to openings enclosing the barrel, and as used in the field; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the water treatment and conveyance apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an embodiment of an inlet filter applied to one of the openings; and 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the inlet filter of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  are selected top views of an alternate embodiment of the inlet filter of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the water treatment and conveyance apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an embodiment of an outlet filter applied to one of the openings; 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the outlet filter of  FIG. 4A  taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are views of an alternate embodiment of the outlet filter of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the handle of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 7A-7E  are views showing a sequence of operational steps of the water treatment and conveyance apparatus treating, conveying, and dispensing water; and  FIG. 7E  shows the bottom holes for dispensing water; and 
         FIG. 7F  is a sectional view of the outlet filter of  FIGS. 5A-5C  taken along the line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5A  illustrating the flow of water through the outlet filter. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one embodiment there is a water treatment and conveyance apparatus that includes a barrel with two ends, each with an indentation to accommodate a handle. The handle is a heavy-duty material and has two side members, a transverse grip member and two transverse support members that fit securely into the indentations of the barrel ends. One end of the barrel (the top) has at least one hole, the hole accommodating a removable cap, a removable inlet filter of mesh to screen out particles from entering water, or an outlet filter. With this treatment and conveyance apparatus, the handle is attached to both ends of the barrel in the indentations and the barrel is rolled and pulled to a water source and back to the puller&#39;s abode. 
     Optionally, the water treatment and conveyance apparatus has a barrel top with two holes, a first hole accommodating a removable cap or a removable inlet filter to screen out particles from the entering water, and a second hole accommodating a removable cap and an outlet filter. Optionally, the first and second holes are threaded. The cap in the second hole can be a buttress cap with an internal threaded hole and a threaded plug. The outlet filter has a housing, a threaded end for inserting into the second hole of the top, filtration material, and a spigot for dispensing water. The outlet filter filtration material can be nylon, cotton, woven material, knit material, ceramic, fabric, strings, chlorine, iodine, moringa, carbon or a combination thereof. 
     In another embodiment, there is provided a method of treating and conveying water. In this method, there is provided a water treatment and conveyance apparatus having a barrel with two ends, each with an indentation to accommodate a handle. The handle is a heavy-duty material and has two side members, a transverse grip member and two transverse support members that fit securely into the indentations of the barrel ends. One end of the barrel (the top) has at least one hole, the hole accommodating a removable cap, a removable inlet filter of mesh to screen out particles from entering water, or an outlet filter. The next steps include a. capping the at least one hole; b. inserting the handle&#39;s two transverse support members into the indentations on both ends of the barrel; c. pulling the transverse grip member to roll the barrel to a water source; d. at the water source, removing the handle from the barrel; e. removing the cap of the hole; f. placing the mesh inlet filter into the hole; g. pouring water into the hole with inlet filter to fill the barrel; h. removing the mesh inlet filter; i. inserting a cleansing material; j. capping the hole; k. inserting the handle&#39;s two transverse support members into the indentations on both ends of the barrel; l. pulling the transverse grip member to roll the barrel to a user&#39;s site; m. at the user&#39;s site, removing the handle from the barrel; n. removing the cap of the second hole; o. inserting attaching the outlet filter; and p. turning the barrel on its side or upside down. 
     Optionally, the barrel top is provided with two holes, a first hole accommodating a removable cap or a removable inlet filter to screen out particles from the entering water, and a second hole accommodating a removable cap and an outlet filter. Optionally, the at least one hole is threaded, and capping and removing the cap also consist of threading and de-threading the cap. Alternately the cap in the second hole is a buttress cap with an internal threaded hole and a threaded plug. The outlet filter which is inserted and removed has a housing, a threaded end for inserting into the second hole of the top, filtration material, and a spigot for dispensing water. The outlet filter filtration material can be nylon, cotton, woven material, knit material, ceramic, fabric, strings, chlorine, iodine, moringa, carbon and a combination thereof. The cleansing chemical can be chlorine, iodine, Moringa (an African antibacterial), other anti-bacterials, antivirals, anti-parasitic chemicals or a combination thereof, and more preferably chlorine tablets. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One of the inventors traveled in Africa and noticed that not only do people not have clean drinking water, but they frequently have to walk a mile each way each day just to obtain that water. Besides a lack of plumbing, they lack a transportation system on which to carry heavy water jugs. The obtained water is usually not purified. Further there is little storage of water for human use, as it is too heavy to carry much at one time. 
     We attach a purification system to the transportation system. The inventive water apparatus can be made from readily available recyclable materials. Different mechanisms can be used to remove the handle so that the barrel can be turned on an end for filling and dispensing. 
     We devised a complete system for obtaining water in that more water can be obtained for the same effort and the water is purified by the time it reaches its home. 
     Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.  FIG. 1  illustrates a water treatment and conveyance apparatus  20 , which may alternately be referred to herein as “the apparatus”  20  for brevity. The apparatus  20  includes a barrel  21  mounted for rotation to a handle  22 . 
     The barrel  21  includes a top  23 , an opposed bottom  24 , and a continuous cylindrical sidewall  25  extending between the top  23  and bottom  24 . The top  23 , bottom  24 , and sidewall  25  have an outer surface  26  and an opposed inner surface  27 . The inner surface  27  of the barrel  21  bounds and defines a reservoir  30  within the barrel in which a fluid, such as water, is contained for treatment during conveyance over a distance to be traveled by a user dragging or pulling the apparatus  20 . The barrel  21  is constructed of a material or combination of materials having rigid, rugged, and durable material characteristics, and having a low weight, such as plastic or sheet metal, which provides the barrel  21  with a low moment of inertia as the barrel  21  rolls during conveyance. 
     The top  23  of the barrel  21  is formed with two identical circular openings  31  and  32 , although the openings need not be identical and alternately there is only one opening. The openings  31  and  32  extend through the top  23  of the barrel  21  from the outer surface  26  to the inner surface  27  and lead to and are in fluid communication with the reservoir  30 . Each of the openings  31  and  32  have threaded inner sidewalls so that the openings  31  and  32  are adapted to receive threaded accessories for coupling to the barrel  21 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , caps  33  and  34  are threadably secured to the openings  31  and  32 , respectively, to completely enclose and seal the reservoir  30 , although the openings need not be identical and alternately there is only one opening hole  35  through the center of the cap  34 , and a threaded plug  36  is threadably secured in the threaded hole  35  to define a continuous, fluid-impervious surface across the cap  34 . 
     The apparatus  20  includes means for filtering water as water is applied to and dispensed from the barrel  21 . With reference now to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the opening  31  is adapted to receive an inlet filter  40 . The inlet filter  40  is a permeable cylindrical container or basket having an open top  41 , an opposed permeable bottom  42 , a permeable sidewall  43  extending between the top  41  and bottom  42 , and an annular flange  44  extending radially outward from the top  41 . The inlet filter  40  is constructed of a meshed plastic having a plurality of small openings  45  formed therethrough. The openings  45  allow water and materials smaller than the openings  45  to pass through the filter while retaining materials larger than the openings  45  in the inlet filter  40 . 
     An alternate, preferred embodiment of the inlet filter  40  is shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D  and is identified as inlet filter  50 . The inlet filter  50  includes two nested membranes  51  and  52 . The membranes  51  and  52  are each formed as tubes with open ends  53  and  54 , respectively, and opposed closed ends  55  and  56 , respectively, and are constructed of thin, flexible materials. The membrane  52  is a better filter than the membrane  51  and is placed outside of the membrane  51  so that the open ends  53  and  54  of the membranes  51  and  52  are co-located. A ring assembly  60  located at the open ends  53  and  54  of the membranes  51  and  52  couples the membranes  51  and  52  to each other and allows the inlet filter  50  to be coupled to the barrel  21 . The ring assembly  60  includes an inner ring  61  and an outer ring  62 . The inner ring  61  has an outer diameter A, and the outer ring  62  has an inner diameter B and an opposed outer diameter C, and the outer diameter A of the inner ring  61  is just less than the inner diameter B of the outer ring  62 . The inner ring  61  is severed with a slit  63  to allow the outer diameter A of the inner ring  61  to expand and contract slightly. The outer ring  62  has an annular, inwardly-directed lip  64  at the top of the outer ring  62 . In operation, the inner ring  61  is placed around the open ends  53  and  54  of the membranes  51  and  52 , encircling the membranes  51  and  52 . The openings are drawn over the inner ring  61  around the outer diameter A. The outer ring  62  is applied over the membranes  51  and  52  secured over the inner ring  61 , with the inwardly-directed lip  64  of the outer ring  62  opposed from the closed ends  55  and  56  of the membranes  51  and  52 . The outer ring  62  is applied over the membranes  51  and  52  on the inner ring  61  in a press-fit engagement to secure the membranes  51  and  52  in the ring assembly  60 . 
     The filter is constructed from a fabric or combination of fabrics having good filtering characteristics, such as cotton, nylon, and like materials. The fabric is woven or knit. In one embodiment there are multiple layers of media which remove contaminants. Each layer of media, consisting of one or more different materials removes different contaminants until the water to be dispensed in potable. These layers include but are not limited to ceramic, fabric, strings, chlorine, iodine, moringa, carbon and a combination thereof. Additionally, one having skill in the art will readily appreciate that although the inlet filter  50  has been described as including two membranes, there can be one or more membranes. 
     There are numerous possible embodiments of the inlet filter, the inlet filter includes one or more than two membranes, as needed in the situation depending on factors such as the dirtiness of the source water and the potential uses of the treated water. The inlet filter can include a ceramic filter (with a pore size of about 10 nm) to remove even the smallest contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. 
     In yet another embodiment, the inlet filter is not provided, nor is the outlet hole. In this embodiment, water can be filtered of leaves and other particles when being dispensed. In yet another embodiment, there is only one hole in the top of the barrel, in which case, the inlet filter is attached during barrel filling, and the outlet filter is attached to the same hole during dispensing water. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the opening  32  is adapted to receive an outlet filter  70 . The outlet filter  70  is a cylindrical housing  71  containing densely packed carbon grains or beads  72  each having a high surface area available to attract and receive heavy metals and other contaminants. The housing  71  has a permeable inner end  73  though which water may pass from the reservoir  30  to the outlet filter  70 , and a spigot  74  coupled to an opposed outer end  75  to dispense water. 
     An alternate embodiment of the outlet filter  70  is shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C  and is identified as outlet filter  80 . The outlet filter  80  includes a housing  81 , a top  82 , and an opposed bottom  83 . The housing  81 , top  82 , and bottom  83  cooperate to define a fluid impervious chamber housing a cylindrical carbon filter membrane  84  supported on a coaxial central core  85 . The top  82  is an upstream end of the outlet filter  80  and carries a threaded stub  86  formed with an internal conduit  90  for the transmission of water into the outlet filter  80 . The bottom  83  is a downstream end of the outlet filter  80  and carries a drain valve  91  for the adjustable transmission of water out of the outlet filter  80  at an adjustable flow rate. The filter membrane  84  has opposed ends  92  and  93  and a permeable filter sidewall  94 . Gaskets  95  and  96  seal the ends  92  and  93  of the filter membrane  84 , so that water filling the outlet filter  80  passes into the central core  85  only through the sidewall  94  of the filter membrane  84 . The central core  85  is a rigid, open-ended tube with perforations  100  formed therein, coupled in fluid communication to the drain valve  91  at the bottom  83  of the outlet filter  80 . The open end of the central core  85  is threaded, when the filter membrane  84  is applied to the central core  85 , a threaded cap is threaded onto the open end, so as to axially tighten the filter membrane  84  on the central core  85 , and seal the gaskets  95  and  96  onto the ends  92  and  93  of the filter membrane  84 . The threaded cap is threadably secured to the central core  85  so that the filter membrane  84  may be periodically replaced. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the handle  22  is useful for dragging or pulling the apparatus  20  so that the barrel  21  rotates as the barrel  21  is pulled. The handle  22  is constructed from a material having stiff, rigid, rugged, and durable characteristics, such as tubular or solid steel. The handle  22  is a framework including opposed longitudinal side members  101  and  102 , a transverse grip member  103 , and a transverse support member  104  proximate to the barrel  21 . 
     We have experimented with numerous handles, including a rope handle. The rope was attached through the entire plastic welded tubing that is part of the barrel. Alternately we strung the rope through a piece of PVC pipe, tying a knot so that the PVC pipe did not move. Then the PVC pipe was gripped. 
     Another pulling method required a piece of metal that goes through the entire plastic welded tubing that is part of the barrel. The metal piece had an eyelet screw metal welded to each side. Then the rope was tied to each eyelet screw. A piece of PVC that has knots tied to prevent movement of the PVC pipe was also useful as a grip. Rather than a rope, a handle consists of three metal bars as to make a “C”. At each end a caliper is useful to allow the user to more easily attach and remove the handle. Additionally the user can use a pin system. 
     Another hand design involved using one solid handle without pins, etc. Essentially, it is the same shape as the other handles. However, rather than unclipping, the user pulls on a continuous piece that comes out of the barrel. 
     A cylindrical sleeve having opposed ends extends through the barrel  21  with one end of the sleeve formed integrally with the top  23  of the barrel and the other end formed integrally with the bottom  24  of the barrel  21 . In other embodiments, the ends of the cylindrical sleeve are welded or adhered to the top and bottom  23  and  24  so as to preserve the fluid-impervious character of the barrel  21 . The sleeve is adapted to receive the end of axle  105   a . The axle  105   a  is a short, elongate cylindrical member or pin, approximately four inches in length. The axle  105   a  fits into the barrel end in a loose engagement. 
     The end of axle  105   a  is coupled to the side member  101  so as to define an axis of rotation of the barrel  21 . With reference now to  FIG. 6 , which is a detailed view of a portion of the side member  101  and the axle  105   a , it can be seen that an annular plain bearing  110  is disposed at an end of the side member  101 , and the axle  105   a  extends through the plain bearing  110 . The axle  105   a  is formed with two through-holes  112  and  113  proximate to the plain bearing  110  on either side of the plain bearing  110 . Flat washers  114  and  115  are carried on the axle  105   a  on either side of the plain bearing  110  and held in place between the plain bearing  110  and the through-holes  112  and  113 , respectively, by pins  120  and  121  applied to the through-holes  112  and  113 . The pins  120  and  121  are roll pins, cotter pins, clevis pins, or like fasteners for releasably securing an item to a rotating shaft. Mounted in this way, the plain bearing  110  can rotate on the axle  105   a , and the axle  105   a  can rotate within the sleeve, to allow the barrel  21  to rotate as the barrel  21  is pulled. Rotation will occur at the less resistant coupling of the axle  105   a  and sleeve engagement and the axle  105   a  and plain bearing  110  engagement. In other embodiments, the axle  105   a  is replaced by a single solid axle extending across the barrel  21 . One having reasonable skill in the art will understand that another plain bearing similar to the plain bearing  110  is carried on the axle  105   a  on the other side of the handle  22  at side member  102  at the bottom  24  of the barrel  21 . 
     Operation of the apparatus  20  will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus  20 . The apparatus  20  is rolled from a person&#39;s home to a water source and back. The apparatus  20  is useful for conveying water and simultaneously treating and purifying the water. To use, the apparatus  20  is pulled, such as by hand, by animal, or behind a vehicle (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) from a starting location to a water source, such as a well or river. The caps  33  and  34  are threadably secured in the openings  31  and  32 , respectively, to prevent the ingress of dirt or other material into the reservoir  30  while the apparatus  20  is being pulled. Once the apparatus  20  is brought to the water source, the handle  22  is disconnected from the axle  105   a  by removing the pins  120  and  121  and freeing the plain bearing  110  from the end of axle  105   a . The barrel  21 , free of the handle  22 , is then tilted into an upright position with the bottom  24  resting on the ground and the top  23  directed upwards, as shown in  FIG. 7A . The cap  33  is removed from the opening  31  and the inlet filter  50  is placed into the opening  31 . The outer diameter C of the outer ring  62  of the ring assembly  60  of the inlet filter  50  is greater than the internal diameter of the opening  31  so that the inlet filter  50  is supported at the top  23  of the barrel  21  in the opening  31  and prevented from falling into the reservoir  30 . Because the openings  31  and  32  are identical, one having reasonable skill in the art will readily appreciate that, although the above description refers to the inlet filter  50  being applied to the opening  31 , the inlet filter  50  may also be applied to the opening  32 . Moreover, one having reasonable skill in the art will readily appreciate that two inlet filters  50  may be applied to each of the openings  31  and  32  so that two inlet filters  50  depend from the top  23  of the barrel  21 . In this way, more water can be poured into the barrel  21 . This description, however, refers to only a single inlet filter  50  applied to the opening  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , with the barrel  21  upright, water  122  from the water source is poured into the inlet filter  50  by a bucket  123  or other similar means. The inlet filter  50  accommodates a high flow rate of water  122  so as to allow a large amount of water  122  to be poured into the barrel  21 , filling the reservoir  30 . The water  122  being poured into the inlet filter  50  passes through the inlet filter  50  without delay and without backing up. As water  122  passes through the inlet filter  50 , the inlet filter  50  traps and holds material which is larger than the pores in the membranes  51  and  52  in the inlet filter  50 , so as to filter out larger material from entering the reservoir  30 . Exemplary filtered materials are dirt, leaves and rocks. The membrane  51  filters approximately sand sized material, and the membrane  52  removes smaller material. Only very fine material is able to pass through the inlet filter  50  into the reservoir  30 . 
     When a desired amount of water  122  has been added to the barrel  21 , the inlet filter  50  is removed. A cleansing chemical is then added to the water  122  in the barrel  21  through the opening  31 . A preferred cleansing chemical is chlorine-based activated tablets  124 , as depicted in  FIG. 7B , but alternately includes another cleansing agent for killing disease-causing contaminants that is also safe to consume in appropriate dosages. Other useful chemicals include but are not limited to iodine, Moringa (an African antibacterial), other anti-bacterials, antivirals, anti-parasitic chemicals or a combination thereof. After the appropriate quantity of chemicals tablets  124  are added to the water  122 , the cap  33  is threadably secured to the opening  31 . The barrel  21  is then tipped over on its side so that the sidewall  25  is on the ground and the axle  105   a  is parallel to the ground, as shown in  FIG. 7B . The handle  22  is coupled to the axle  105   a , and the apparatus  20  is then pulled back to the starting location. As the apparatus  20  is pulled, the barrel  21  rotates about the axle  105   a . The sidewall  25  of the barrel  21  rolls along the ground, and may include a protective sleeve or other layer for protection of the sidewall  25  from the ground or for enhanced traction with the ground. As the barrel  21  rotates about the axle  105   a , the tablets  124  in the barrel  21  roll and disperse throughout the reservoir  30 , dissolving and releasing the active chemical and cleaning the water  122  in the barrel  21 , as shown in  FIG. 7B . On a typical water-seeking journey, there is enough time for the chemicals to kill the disease-causing contaminants. 
     Upon returning to the starting location, the handle  22  is again decoupled from the axle  105   a . The barrel  21  is moved to the upright position with the bottom  24  resting on the ground and the top  23  directed upwards. The threaded plug  36  is removed from the cap  34 , and the outlet filter  80  is applied to the threaded hole  35 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . The threaded stub  86  at the top  82  of the outlet filter  80  is threadably secured to the threaded hole  35 , coupling the outlet filter  80  to the barrel  21  in fluid communication with the reservoir  30 . The outlet filter  80  projects outwardly away from the top  23  of the barrel  21  or optionally inward for greater protection in use. 
     With the outlet filter  80  secured in the top  23  of the barrel  21 , the barrel  21  is then laid back down with the sidewall  25  in contact with the ground. A stand  140  is placed adjacent to the barrel  21 . The stand, shown in  FIGS. 7D and 7E , is a framework including a lower ring member  141 , an upper ring member  142 , a plurality of vertical members  143  extending between the lower and upper ring members  141  and  142 , and a band  144  of reinforcing material wrapped around and encircling the vertical members  143  at a location generally intermediate to the lower and upper ring members  141  and  142 . The upper ring member  142  is sized and shaped to be received against the top  23  of the barrel  21 , just inside a projecting lip  145  formed around the perimeter of the top  23 . On the ground, the upper ring member  142  is placed against the top  23  of the barrel  21  and a strap  146  is placed around the barrel  21  and the stand  140 . The strap  146  extends vertically over the bottom  24  of the barrel  21 , down the sidewall  25 , and around the top  23  of the barrel  21  and the upper ring member  142 , binding the barrel  21  to the stand  140 . The barrel  21  and stand  140  are then moved together so that the barrel is in an elevated position in which the bottom  24  is above the top  23  and the top  23  is spaced above the ground, as shown in  FIGS. 7D and 7E . In this position, when the drain valve  91  is opened, water  122  in the reservoir  30  passes in a gravity-feed arrangement through the threaded hole  35  into the threaded stub  86  and into the housing  81  of the outlet filter  80 . The water  122  entering the outlet filter  80  includes only very fine material, the larger material having been removed from the water earlier by the inlet filter  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7F , water  122  passes into the outlet filter  80  through the threaded stub  86  at the top  82 . The water  122  follows a path of travel through the outlet filter  80  as generally indicated with the lines D in  FIG. 7F . The water  122  passes into the top  82  of the outlet filter  80  and flows through the outlet filter  80  between the housing  81  and the cylindrical carbon filter membrane  84 . The water  122  passes through the sidewall  94  of the filter membrane  84  and into a space defined between the filter membrane  84  and the central core  85 . As the water  122  passes through the filter membrane  84 , the water  122  is further purified of heavy metals. The water  122  then passes through the perforations  100 , down the central core  85  toward the bottom  83 , and out the drain valve  91 . The water  122  dispensed from the drain valve  91  is potable. 
     When the water  122  in the reservoir is depleted, the barrel  21  is lowered to an upright position, the outlet filter  80  is removed from the opening  32 , and the threaded plug  36  is threadably secured in the cap  34  in the opening  32 . The barrel  21  is then moved so that the sidewall  25  is on the ground, the handle  22  is coupled to the axle  105   a , and the apparatus  20  is ready to be pulled back to a water source for repeated use. 
     Optionally there is supplied a capped air intake hole (not shown) on the end of the barrel away from the outlet. The air intake hole is optionally filtered. 
     Another method of dispensing water utilizes a hand or foot pump. In this embodiment, the barrel stays on its side. The pump is either attached to the other opening in the barrel, or to an air hole in the top of the barrel, such that it is above the water level. As the user pumps, the internal pressure increases and increases the rate of water flow out of the system. When water is emptied from this embodiment, the user screws back on all lids and caps and then attaches the handle and once more pushes or pulls the barrel back to the water source. 
     Alternately, our system can be used to obtain water even if an inlet filter, outlet filter or both filters are not available. 
     The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.