Is there an easy/cheap way to check if water is salty/brackish before filtering

[p220c]

Is there a simple, cheap and effective means to determine if water is too salty or brackish to drink (once filtered).

I went on a 4.5 mile hike with the wife and kids over the weekend. I carry my 3,000 ml camelbak bladder, and what I consider the bare minimum of safety gear and FAK supplies (it's a fair amount of gear).

My wife carries a 1,000 ml nalgene and a 24 oz. camelbak bottle in her pack.

Instead of buying the kids a bunch of camelbaks, or the like I would like to spend that money on a water filter (Katadyn Combi or Pocket).

Problem is, this new favorite spot is very close to the gulf shore. I would imaging that some of the water is going to be very salty or at least brackish. Is there a test to determine if the water is too salty, or should I just pump some through and taste test it?

 

[dougo83]

I would buy a $10 Aqua Mira Frontier Filter and try that first. It's a straw, so just draw some water in a cup or something and see how it tastes after that.

 

[p220c]

I would buy a $10 Aqua Mira Frontier Filter and try that first. It's a straw, so just draw some water in a cup or something and see how it tastes after that.

I like the cup idea.

At first I was picturing sticking my head through the railing of the pier and sucking water diectly from the pond through the straw.

We saw this little lady by the peir on Sunday, who might really like to see me try such a stunt.