A build-it-yourself solar still is one of the best ways to obtain drinking water in areas where the liquid is not readily available．Developed by two doctors in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it's an excellent water collector. Unfortunately, you must carry the necessary equipment with you, since it's all but impossible to find natural substitutes. The only components required, though, are a 5'×5' sheet of clear or slightly milky plastic, six feet of plastic tube, and a container-perhaps just a drinking cup-to catch the water. These pieces can be folded into a neat little pack and fastened on your belt.
自行建造太阳能蒸馏器是在很难获得水的地区获取饮用水的最佳方法之一。这是一种出色的集水器，由美国农业部的两位博士研制。不好的是，你必须随身携带必要的设备，因为几乎不可能找到天然替代品。尽管需要的配件是一块5’×5’的透明或淡乳色塑料片、6英尺长的塑料管和一个容器（可能只是一个用来盛水的杯子）。这些配件可以折叠成整洁的小包装，系在腰带上。

To construct a working still, use a sharp stick or rock to dig a hole four feet across and three feet deep. Try to make the hole in a damp area to increase the water catcher's productivity. Place your cup in the deepest part of the hole. Then lay the tube in place so that one end rests all the way in the cup and the rest of the line runs up-and out-the side of the hole.
要建造蒸馏器，可以用锋利的木棍或石块挖一个四英尺宽、三英尺深的洞穴。在潮湿的地方挖洞，可以提高集水器的工作效率。将杯子放置在洞穴最深处，然后将管子放好，一头完全放入杯中，其余部分从洞穴中伸出。

Next, cover the hole with the plastic sheet, securing the edges of the plastic with dirt and weighting the sheet's center down with a rock. The plastic should now form a cone with 45-degree-angled sides. The low point of the sheet must be centered directly over, and no more than three inches above, the cup.
接下来，用塑料片盖住洞穴，用泥土固定塑料片边缘，并用石块压住塑料板中心。塑料片现在应该会形成一个45度角边的圆锥体。塑料片的低点必须位于杯子正上方中心位置，且不高于杯子上方三英寸。

The solar still works by creating a greenhouse under the plastic. Ground water evaporates and collects on the sheet until small drops of water form, run down the material, and fall off into the cup. When the container is full, you can suck the refreshment out through the tube, and won't have to break down the still every time you need a drink.
在塑料片下方形成一个温室，太阳能蒸馏器就开始工作了。地下水蒸发并聚集在塑料片上，直至形成小水滴，顺着材料流下来，落入杯中。当容器装满时，可以通过管子吸出淡水，不必每次需要喝水时都要拆除蒸馏器。