Two-pronged approach to clean H20

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
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Hi, guys. I'm not here much so I'm not too sure if this is redundant or not, but I did a quick search and it somewhat seems like new ground to be covered.

Anyway, for the past five years or so I've been using only boiling and/or Katadyn Micropur chlorine dioxide tabs. Recently I've learned that I have the liver of a 65-year-old chronic alcoholic, which is a problem any way you cut it but especially since I'm only 32. So I'm looking to get away from as many chemicals as possible, regardless of how "safe" they've been deemed by the authorities. I've been sifting through all the available gizmos and have concluded that I want to achieve clean water by two means -- filtration and purification.

Within the filtration group we have things like the Katadyn Vario Microfilter, Katadyn Hiker Pro MF, MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter, MSR Hypeflow Microfilter, and MSR Microfilter Water Filter. I've left out the current champ, the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter, for cost reasons, and the gravity bag-type devices for larger yeilds because my parties are usually only 2-3 people in total.

For purification, I'm more limited to just a couple products, as far as I know: the various StriPEN models (don't forget, there is a pre-filter now available for a couple of them), and the MSR Miox Purifier.

To give you an idea of the kind of conditions and water I'm contending with, for those of you that know the area, my main stomping grounds are the interior of Ontario's Algonquin Park, usually in May, and then again from September to season's end. I refuse to camp, canoe and hike in the summer. For those unfamiliar with the area, it is situated in central Ontario and composed of thousands of interconnected cold, (relatively) clear lakes, rivers, and streams. Although many people drink directly from the lakes without any ill effects, Giardia is a growing concern. Of course, all the other usual nasties are also a possibility, depending on location and temperature.

I'm curious if anyone else uses a two-prong approach to cleaning their camp drinking water, what that approach entails, pros and cons, etc. Even if you don't "double-fist" it, I'd love to hear your opinions and suggestions on this approach and on any of the products I've listed (or others), either in isolation or combination. Many thanks. Sorry about the length of all this.:)
 
Nope.
The only time I filter water is if it has some kind of matter in it, and then it's through a bandana or something.

Other than that, boiling or treating with AquaMira is about all I do. I try not to use the chemical stuff if I can keep from it...dunno what long term exposure will do to a person.
 
Where I hike and camp, I don't have so much a need to purify water. I do though, at times, find myself running low on H2O.

In my pack are some coffee filters, which I use if the water I am accessing has a lot of particulate matter or 'green stuff' in it.

After letting it drip through a filter, I use a Katadyn HikerPro.
 
I've used my MSR mini-works water filter for much of Ontario. In clear water like you encounter in Algonquin it will work fine. Its a bit bulky but you can process 1L of water in about 3 minutes (a bit slower than they advertise). Very simple system of a ceramic filter and activated charcoal core. Also, one of the things I like about it is that it has a simple guage to check the filter element. Basically, when it starts to clog up, you take a green scrubby to the filter element to clean it up. When the filter element gets worn enough to fit into the wrench like plastic guage then the filter efficiency is lost and you need to replace the element. I've logged 100's of liters through mine on the original filter. I like how it integrates with a wide mouth nalgene. I never had any issues with it and use it without any other purification. In Ontario, giardia and crypto are the two big issues that I worry about it. So far no problem and I've been through some really beaver infested areas.

The unit is cheap, robust and pumps out plenty of water for cooking and washing. Its main disadvantage is that it is far bulkier than the small units that are out now days.
 
I use the Mini-Works and don't always hit the viruses where I go. I would pick up a steri-pen for that and you're set.
 
kgd said:
The unit is cheap, robust and pumps out plenty of water for cooking and washing. Its main disadvantage is that it is far bulkier than the small units that are out now days.
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I guess I should be more careful, as I never filter/purify water for cooking and cleaning dishes, and only rarely for brushing my teeth. I figure if it's gonna boil during cooking then it's fine. I'm probably wrong.;)

Anyway, thanks for the advice.
 
You guys with the mini-works, have you read the reviews of all the people cracking the element? Does this seem like a real possibility or just some people trying to jam sewage through it at a gallon a minute?
 
mmmmm...forbidden chemicals. If you're concerned about the chemical aspect you could always filter then use a half-dose of the chemical. The chems are designed to disinfect the whole thing, and if you filter out the bulk of it you can add chems at a lower dose.
 
remmmm said:
You guys with the mini-works, have you read the reviews of all the people cracking the element? Does this seem like a real possibility or just some people trying to jam sewage through it at a gallon a minute?
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I haven't had a problem with this. I suppose it is possible in the winter as a result of freezing. In the winter I drink boiled snow and don't carry the filter.

Worrying about human borne viruses in Algonquin isn't something you seriously need to consider. As for cleaning and brushing teeth ect., it is just that processing the water in bulk is so easy to do there is plenty of water to be had. But in thinking about it, I don't really clean my dishes in treated water. They just get a wipe down after they are cleaned.
 
I use a Katadyn Vario and a Steripen. Never had a problem with water from canals, puddles, and sloughs.
 
For where you are going, I would not worry about viruses. I have been canoeing in Quetico, which I assume is similar to the areas you describe (very nice, I might add). Viruses are, for the most part, species specific, so you will only get ill from viruses from other people, not animals. In a very low human impact area like you describe, I would not worry. A good water filter will remove approaching 98% of the viruses anyway, since they are not normally free floating, and are captured by the filter.

Giardia, on the other hand...there are beavers, among other animals, that use the water there.

I have a Katadyn Pocket and an MSR Miniworks. Both are very good quality, and will do a better job of removing water nasties than most things out there. Use them, and you shouldn't have to worry about a two-pronged approach. The Miniworks weighs about the same as a half liter of water, and is about the same size. When I do the math, a filter is the lightest option for me. I am never all that far from a water source. I can filter what I need to drink, plus a liter or so, and in a couple of hours stop and refill myself and the bottle. That way I carry maybe a liter plus the filter. Chlorine dioxide tablets sound lighter on the face of it, but with the long contact time I would have to carry a lot more water while it is disinfecting, so the total carry weight is actually more. Steripen...well, that would be lighter than a filter, but I prefer to carry somthing I can trust with all water sources, not just the clear ones.

My scout troop has the Katadyn Hiker, which is faster and easier to use than either of the above filters, and would do fine in the areas you describe, although I would prefer the ceramic filters for more challenging water.

I have never had an issue with cracking the element. Just don't drop it on the rocks when you are cleaning it. Pump it dry if you are out in sub-freezing conditions. And alternate between using a toothbrush (cut short, of course) and the green scrubby pad. The element will last longer.

And finally, campers get sick from poor hygiene on the part of their buddies far more often than from the water.

Article:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727774
 
WolfTracker said:
I use a Katadyn Vario and a Steripen. Never had a problem with water from canals, puddles, and sloughs.
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I use the same setup all the time. I have never been sick since.
we have a huge concern in california with giardia and virus filled water. so better safe than sorry. plus I hate drinking boiled water when it is still warm.
 
I avoid the MSR ceramic filters (or any ceramic filter) because I've destroyed so many of them. They're great for how long they last, but they're very fragile and I've destroyed a few of them jumping out of airplanes in the Army and a few of them cracked from freezing during the winter. I also used to run an outdoor store and a lot of the MSR filters would get broken in the store from being dropped.
 
kage said:
I avoid the MSR ceramic filters (or any ceramic filter) because I've destroyed so many of them. They're great for how long they last, but they're very fragile and I've destroyed a few of them jumping out of airplanes in the Army and a few of them cracked from freezing during the winter. I also used to run an outdoor store and a lot of the MSR filters would get broken in the store from being dropped.
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Yeah, you probably shouldn't juggle them either ;)
 
Yeah, you probably shouldn't juggle them either
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Very true!

I like the idea of the ceramic filters, but I don't like having to be that careful with them. I would hate to be in a survival situation out in the middle of nowhere and have one break on me. Murphy's always watching!

Never had any problems with a Katadyn Hiker and I've logged over a thousand miles with my current one. Paper filters don't last nearly as long as ceramic though.
 
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