Water purification

[bladefoolish]

I'm looking into buying a portable water purification filter -- somet hing that I can stick in daypack. Any suggestions?

 

[dextersp1]

For a dayhike you should be able to carry all the water you need. For emergency use take a look a iodine, boiling, chemical.
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml

 

[ROCK6]

I'm looking into buying a portable water purification filter -- somet hing that I can stick in daypack. Any suggestions?

I agree that you should be able to carry enough water for a day hike, but it really depends on the season, temps and your activities. It only took one day hike with the family where my wife was out of water and getting close to heat exhaustion that I always carry some method to filter/purify water to refill bottles and bladders.

For emergency use, I always have Katadyn Micropur tablets or iodine tablets (or the Polar Pure crystals which I personally prefer). My daughter has issues with her thyroid, so I make sure she carries the chlorine based tablets.

You still need a water bottle and some type of pre-filter (bandana/coffee filter) depending on your water source.

What I've found and really like for small kits and ease of use is the Frontier Pro filter. Coupled with a small Platypus collapsable bottle, it's a great design and the long tube can reach into tight crevises and holes.

On the high end, but still compact is my Katadyn Mini Filter. A typical day hike during summer months in Texas, we can go through a gallon of water per person and I've consumed close to two gallons depending on the activities.

ROCK6

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Small bottle of bleach.

4 drops per quart.

Let sit for 30 mins.

Weighs less, costs nothing, doesn't wear out and can purify several tens of gallons.

 

[hdglock]

Here is a thread I started about A purifier I ordered. Waiting for it to arrive

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=643531

 

[dextersp1]

Small bottle of bleach.

4 drops per quart.

Let sit for 30 mins.

Weighs less, costs nothing, doesn't wear out and can purify several tens of gallons.

Most recomendations are 2 drops per qt.

"Bleach does not work well in killing off Giardia or beaver fever or Cryptosporidium parasites. The amount of bleach needed to kill these parasites makes the water almost impossible to drink. If Cryptosporidium or Giardia are in your water, boiling is the best way to ensure safe drinking water."


http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Class...ater_Conservation/Purify_or_Filter_Water.html

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Chlorine is somewhat effective against giardia, but there are better alternatives.

I use 4 drops because it is more effective and still isn't concentrated enough to hurt me.

But boiling is my preferred method.

 

[ROCK6]

Chlorine is somewhat effective against giardia, but there are better alternatives.

I use 4 drops because it is more effective and still isn't concentrated enough to hurt me.

But boiling is my preferred method.

Chlorine bleach will work, but has a limited shelf life and is adversely affected by heat...not a bad choice and better than nothing, but make sure you change it out every six months or so. The Katadyn micro pure tablets are much more stable with better effects on giardia. Your area really dictates the methods that will work best...

ROCK6

 

[RescueRiley]

I boil all my water.. other methods are effective as well.. but that's just the way it works for me... No parts to break opr wear out, no filters to change.. simple and time proven.

 

[bladefoolish]

I agree, and do, carry enough water for the day, but the water purification filter would fit into the "worse case" scenero. I also carry bleach, and a small pot for boiling. I've never used a filter outdoors before, and though I'd give one a try.

The consensus here so far seems to be that they're not a particularly essential item?

 

[ROCK6]

The consensus here so far seems to be that they're not a particularly essential item?

Well, again it depends. Since there are "burn-bans" about 11 months out of the year in TX, I would have to carry a stove and fuel to boil water...I might as well carry a lighter weight filter; plus drinking water that's been boiled when it's already well over 100 degrees isn't any fun:barf:

ROCK6

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Yeah, I imagine boiling water when it is 98 degrees would probably suck a lot.

I used to carry the tablets, but they are not cheap and once you open them, they go bad pretty quick.

I normally boild my water, but I carry a small bottle of bleach with a dropper now. I fill it before every trip. Costs me about $ .50 every time. It is pretty rare that I use it, but there if I need it.

 

[PB Wilson]

I've used Aqua Mira drops for the last few years. Works well (no beaver fever for me) and doesn't leave an iodine taste to the water.

I hate boiling water because I do most of my backpacking in the summer. Once I had to boil some drinking water after my filter clogged up and I didn't have any backup. High 90 degree weather, borderline dehydration and hot water to quench my thirst was not my idea of satisfying.