Water Filtration kit

mauiblue

mauiblue

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Aug 1, 2006
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I'm slowly but surely acquiring survival gear for TEOTWAWKI or if the SHTF scenario. After the earthquake that hit the Hawaiian island chain a couple years ago, I wanted to get some survival gear together and one item I would want to have is a water filtration kit. I have a wife and a daughter and want something that could help us through any natural disaster or other scenario. I'm looking at a system that will be able to filter out contaminates and nasty bacteria, viruses, chemical taste, etc. I want something that is portable just in case we need to bug out but I am hoping that if my home stays intact and livable, I will just bug in. I'm willing to pay a premium for this system but not break the bank.
 
The Katadyn filter is a tried and tested item that has been on the market for a long time.

I would also suggest keeping a spare filter for it just in case. In addition as posted by bladefixation 2, keep some water purification tablets as backup. I would also suggest keeping something you can use to pre filter any water with to remove larger containiments before using the Katadyn filter.
 
One more recommendation for Katadyn. Just got back a day ago from working a national park. Did plenty of backcountry camping. Good times with Katadyns.
Zero
 
Katadyn ceramic filters are a world standard. Get one of the larger models (not the super compact hiker models) so you get enough water with a reasonable number of strokes. You also want to make sure it is a model your wife and daughter can pump without too much strain.
 
The only Katadyn that kills viruses is the (not so expensive) bottle filter. With all the other filters, you need either tablets or a steripen.

The only other filter I know of, that can handle viruses is the General Ecology First Need Deluxe.

But I can't tell you how good they are. I think I'm going for a Katadyn bottle filter for my dayhikes.
 
Given you live in a primarily saltwater environment, you may want a desalination unit - lots o'salt water over in the Islands, I hear! :eek: :D

Anyway, it's either the Sportsmans Guide or Cheaper-Than-Dirt that has a unit for around $700 that is a simple pump that uses reverse osmosis...

Otherwise, for freshwater, a Katydin as has been mentioned and a Steripen go with me at all times... along with Potaqua tablets for a last resort...
 
Read the specs on that desalination pump carefully. The one I've seen specs for would require hours of pumping to get a little fresh water.
 
TRy the base camp model, which is a no pump just hang it up and forget it model if you are dealing with a family situation. We have used ours on numerous back country trips and love it, a couple of gallons of water with no more effort than lifting it up to the hook or nail or what ever to hang it from.
 
Have you considered a solar still? The salt water boaters usually have a couple in the ditch bag. That may prove to be a cheaper and easier solution for you.
 
I got one of those water bottles that does the UV thing, do I still need a filter? I talked to a guy at REI that said just use a bandana.
 
Bought this today. Great for a short-term fix. Like when you are waiting 30 minutes for iodine tabs to be done working.

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PeACE
Dougo
 
MVF said:
I got one of those water bottles that does the UV thing, do I still need a filter? I talked to a guy at REI that said just use a bandana.
Click to expand...

The bandana will just filter out the larger debris but, it won't eliminate the critters in the water or chemicals, metals, pesticides, etc.

In a TEOTWAWKI or the SHTF scenario, think about New Orleans where you had oil, fuel, sewage, chemicals, etc. in the water. The filtration required is a lot different then just killing the little critters in your water like your average backcountry hiker does.
 
if you are on land, forced distillation may be a better bet for salt water, besides, if you can boil your water, it takes less time, and is cheaper. Just pre-filter it if it it is from a source that is a bit "chunky" with coffee filters, or if you want to go bigger, then a large lightly woven cloth and clean play sand. crushed clean charcoal (not BBQ stuff) can be used to remove some chemical contamination. for the price of a marine filter (reverse osmosis) you could get enough other stuff to build a water treatment set-up for several people.
in the New Orleans senario, I'd want some large tubs or buckets to settle the water first, then several stages of sand, and charcoal filtering, then distillation, that should remove everything. but that would only work in the "bug-in" situation, but if you are the only guy with drinkable water, you will have a lot of friends!
 
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