Which water purification?

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Outdoors

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May 24, 2001
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I'm updating by bug out gear with respect to water purification. I typically use a filter in the backcountry, and I carry iodine tablets as a backup. Polar Pure (iodine crystals) is very popular among many of my backpacker friends, but I'd recently learned that it isn't effective against cryptosporidia (sp?). Aqua Mira (chlorine) is supposed to be effective against everything that iodine works on (parasites, bacteria, viruses) including crypto and some chemicals.

What are all of you using? Filters? Chemicals? Boiling? What method do you choose and why?

Thanks for your opinions,
Patrick
 
When I am camping or backpacking, I like boiling. I would rather not taste or ingest the chemicals. However, I have burned myself several times pouring the hot water into a hydration pak. It takes some practice.

If at home, I might use chlorine because it is quicker and easier. You can purify and then let the water stand in an open pitcher for a day or two while the chlorine evaporates.
 
We're working with a company at the moment on bringing chlorine tablets to the market. Already have the one tablet to 5 gallons of water that is approved by FDA. The new product will be one tablet to one quart of water. These tablets will be in a blister pack. This product is waiting on FDA approval. This should solve a lot of problems with water purification. Also testing a product that will capture suspended particles in real dirty water, such as tannic acid and other nasties in waters like we're used to in the Amazon. What this will do is make a semi-solid out of everything that is suspended, then it falls to the bottom of the container and you filter off the remaining water, or pour it off and then use a tablet to purify it. Due to the chemical compound of this latter process I'm doubting any FDA approval. Will keep you posted.

Jeff
 
I use calcium hypochlorite in conjunction with this inline filter and also bottles from Safe Water Anywhere .

I get the calcium hypochlorite at work, I'm not certain where you can pick it up, but it is great stuff! 1/2 of a MRE spoonfull of it will treat 50gal of water to 5ppm. The NSN is 6810-00-255-0471 and the unit cost is $1.32 for a 6oz bottle of powder (and man -- that treats a lot of water!)

Hope this helps

Dan
 
Jeff,

we are using chloroflox (not 100% on the spelling) tabs right now, works like a charm! All the nasty stuff in the water clumps up and sinks -- then all you do is strain the water and treat to kill any viruses. Civilians will love it when you market it.

Was funny as hell watching one guy treat his water and them drink/chew it (a little dirt never hurt anyone :D)

Dan
 
Since many years I use with great success the "Katadyn" Combi filter. It is a combination filter that works with two independent filters, a ceramic element (0.0002mm) and a charcoal element. the filters can be used separately or in combination. Depending on the water and the expected (or known) contamination (bacteria/viruses/chemicals/...)you can use either one or the other or both together in a one-step-filtering process and you have ABSOLUTE SAFE WATER!!! And, unless other filters this one works really perfect, it it miles away even from the legendary MSR water filters! And it lasts forever! With one filter element you can get 300000 liters of absoute safe drinking water! For water storage I use a 10 liters "MSR dromedar water bag" and silver ions ("Micropur"-tabs), which give you save water for 6 months without re-contamination!

Greetings,
Gerry
 
I like the PUR line of filters. They are convenient to use, work, and hold up through years of use. (Change filter as necessary, of course.)
 
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