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I've studied this quite a bit and done some interesting math. What you need is a "gravity fed" water filter that not only "filters", but "purifies" the water ("purify" is a legally-defined term that cannot be used lightly).

There are many filters that fit this description, with the Berkey filters being one of the most well-known. Others are significantly cheaper, but when you do the math on the cost of replaceable filter elements and their life expectancy, the Berkey starts to look like the best choice.

Alternatives to consider (in my mind) are: 1) Doulton, 2) Ceragrav, 3) Low cost ceramic water filter elements you can buy on eBay that can be attached to 5-gallon buckets.

I have the "Big Berkey" model at home and use it to filter all my drinking water.

Just don't be fooled by filters that require you to change the elements frequently - it drives the cost WAY up.

Also, I highly recommend that you research the use of calcium hypochlorite for chemical water purification. Just a few pounds of this can purify a family's water supply *FOR YEARS*. However, be aware that this is a volatile chemical that must be stored in appropriate containers and in appropriate locations away from food and other chemicals with which it may react.

We were not far from the epicenter for the Kobe earthquake of January 17, 1995. Lost gas service and water service for a fairly long time.

Interesting observations:

Japanese were very orderly, took their turns and waited in line patiently for the water buffalos. Only noise and shoving were some elderly people being moved to the front of the line against their insistence that they could wait their turn.
Electricity was only off for a matter of hours. Their generating infrastructure is very, very well designed (with certain exceptions as the 2011 Tohoku quake showed). Phone service restoration for international calls was even quicker and for domestic calls only a little longer.
Before the emergency services kicked into gear, we boiled water (with canned gas) for meals, then used that water to make tea and wash the dishes, then used what was leftover from dish washing to flush the loo. My wife and kids all got a very quick lesson in how much water could be recycled.
What limited looting occurred in the hardest hit areas was quickly ended by vigilante patrols who used plumbing pipes from ruined homes, kitchen knives and whatever they could find to enforce their neighborhood patrols. And being called a vigilante under those circumstances was considered an honor, not an insult.

What about building your own water system? A 55-gal plastic drum with charcoal and sand fed from cistern/gutter system?

I mean, if the SHTF time comes, you may not be able to get filters. Seems like their ought to be a natural resources alternative afa as filtering.

As I’m telling everyone who posts about Berkeys, get a Douton. Berkey sold way too many defective filters to ever be trusted. I bought a Roupyal Berkey which came with 2 filter candles, and 8 spares. All 10 of mine failed.

Please google ‘defective Berkey’ and spend some time reading about all the unhappy folks who bought them, and wound up drinking unfiltered water because the defect allows water to bypass the filter element. I’m one of them.