Aquamira tabs question

[Joben]

I just got some Aquamira water purification tablets.

I read the back of the package and it says to allow it to work for 4 hours before drinking. Good grief!

I thought chlorine dioxide tabs took 30 minutes.

 

[udtjim]

That does seem like a long time, I have never tried those.

 

[theonew]

Iodine takes 30 minutes, but some people hate the taste. I don't mind it and my dog doesn't either.

 

[Joben]

I think i may have found an answer, the listing for katydyn micropur tablets (also chlorine dioxide) on REI says

Destroys viruses and bacteria in 15 min., Giardia in 30 min. and Cryptosporidium in 4 hrs.

While a 4 hr. wait time may be inconvenient, alternative disinfectants do not claim to destroy Cryptosporidium

 

[Calebklyne]

it should depend on how cold and dirty your water is most of the tablets ive had are 15mins for bacteria and viruses and in 20*c water 30mins for systs and spores or 4hrs in 5*c or dirty water for cysts and spores but i suppose that would also depend on the chemicals

 

[LupaWolf]

what Joben said...
the 4 hour wait time is where total purification is guaranteed by the manufacturer for dirty water. Since they and usually you have no way of knowing how nasty that water truly is or what is really in it, they say 4 hours for optimum effect since that is what their testing has shown.
Does iodine kill crypto in 30 min? Honestly, cuz i dont know.

 

[TheGame]

I have drank water after 40 minutes without after effects, but ... the water wasn't filthy. I was just making sure.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Nt........

 

[k_estela]

Iodine will not kill cryptosporidium and boiling water won't destroy the cysts in a roaring boil for minutes according to a Cornell U. study a few years ago. Go with the MP1 tablets and occupy your time making your shelter or other tasks while you wait. Remember though, water out can't exceed water in.

 

[beef]

Hi Kev, can you post the study showing that boiling water doesn't kill cysts?

As the temperature of the water drops, the wall of the cysts harden, meaning they are more impervious to chemicals like iodine, chlorine and chlorine dioxide penetrating the wall and destroying them.
Giardia can be killed by iodine if the water is warm enough.
Crypto isn't touched by chlorine or iodine. Chlorine dioxide does kill it, but may take a max of 4 hrs, depending on water temp, which is why the manufacturer gives that figure.
The turbidity of the water will also effect purification, as organic matter absorbs the chemicals.

UV knocks them all out in 90 seconds....

 

[k_estela]

Beef. Boiling water will kill cysts but they can live in that heat for minutes. That is why we recommend a 10 min boil to be certain water is safe. Also, it doesn't take a lot of fuel to keep it going for that long either and anyone that says you lose most of your water from evaporation doesn't boil water enough to notice you don't

I'll have to see about that report and where it can be found again. I'm sure Marty can track it down.

 

[PayetteRucker]

Boiling water at Sheep lake at 9,000 feet DOES evaporate a noticeable amount. that said I do it anyway-firewood is everywhere. I cannot stand Iodine tabs, to my digestive system it might as well be giardia. You can buy a 20 dollar aquamira bottle with a built in charcoal filter that is rated to filter both giardia and cryptosporidium, you just have to think bigger than your altoids can high horse. I never understood you guys that have to make everything fit in your back pocket... it's a water bottle for heavens' sake.