Joe,
Yes you can make a tabletop water distiller, all you need is 2 beakers, a heat source, a stand, a condensor, a small network of tubing and a supply of cool running water for the condensor. Of course the cost of all those things, plus the cost to run it would prolly cost you more than buying a cheap RO filter at Home Depot.
As for the evaporative water purifier, yes that also works, but then you need to consider the volume of water you will get from that. Unless you plan on tenting your swimming pool, I doubt you are going to be able to force enough clean water to adequately water a CP collection with that. Best to keep that info for when you are stranded alone on a desert island somewhere. It will provide enough water to keep you alive in an emergency.
Cheers
Steve