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What do you use for water treatment? What do you use for water treatment?
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  #1  
Old 21 Sep 2012
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What do you use for water treatment?
Howdy,

What do you use for water purification/treatment for drinking/cooking? The most convenient/lightweight seems to be the Platypus Gravity filter - however, it doesn't filter viruses out? The other thing I was looking at was the Steripen but seems to be a bit unreliable and I think it's need of batteries is neither convenient or environmentally friendly...

Any experiences?
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  #2  
Old 21 Sep 2012
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MSR Hyperflow and if necessary water sterilisation tablets
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Old 21 Sep 2012
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I once brought a water MSR miniworks half way through Africa and didn't use it once. I guess it is easier to find bottled water than puddles to treat most places... Now I leave it at home and stock up on bottled water and bring tablets in case of emergencies. Also, cooking water works well also.

I would only consider bringing it on a trip if I frequently was to stay away from hotels, restaurants, shops, fuel stations, etc, or clean tap water, for more than four days in a row. Any shorter and I would bring water in bottles/cans/bags.
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Old 22 Sep 2012
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along the westcoast there are many waterpumps from colunial times along the east coast camping places and shops so i hardly used my chlor tablets:

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Old 22 Sep 2012
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I use the Platypus gravity filter these days. No, it doesn't filter viruses, but I'm not convinced that water-borne virus diseases are very common (although there's no question they exist).

I don't like leaving a trail of non-recyclable plastic bottles behind me wherever I go. I'll buy them where I need to, but usually just filter tap water. It's easy, and the Platypus does three liters at once without any effort.

I used to have a pump filter with a bacterial filter, a charcoal stage and an iodine stage. It was rumored to take care of everything under the sun....but then it broke internally and I got amoebas before I figured out something wasn't right. There's no perfect solution.

Mark
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Old 22 Sep 2012
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Hi Mark,

Thanks - that was the one I was going to buy.

Ta-Rider - I'll be in S.America - how did you find the availability of tap water there?

Thanks,

7055.
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Old 15 May 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
I use the Platypus gravity filter these days. No, it doesn't filter viruses, but I'm not convinced that water-borne virus diseases are very common (although there's no question they exist).

I don't like leaving a trail of non-recyclable plastic bottles behind me wherever I go. I'll buy them where I need to, but usually just filter tap water. It's easy, and the Platypus does three liters at once without any effort.

I used to have a pump filter with a bacterial filter, a charcoal stage and an iodine stage. It was rumored to take care of everything under the sun....but then it broke internally and I got amoebas before I figured out something wasn't right. There's no perfect solution.

Mark
(Quoting myself from several years back.) I'm still using the gravity system, having replaced the filter at some point just for the hell of it and added a charcoal canister--easy as could be. No matter what sort of lodging, there's always a place to hang a couple of bags, one above the other; a single use gives enough clean water for a full day, 3+ liters. For shorter-term use I decant into a plastic bottle or Camelback.

The system is easy, broadly applicable, and cheap, which means that not only am I not leaving an endless trail of plastic bottles everywhere but I'm saving quite a lot of money, even on short trips.

Still not worried about viruses in my water, but still paying attention to the lessons I learned early about giardia and dysentery.

Mark
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Old 1 Dec 2012
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I consider "First Need" as a top water purifier, it's not a water filer but a purifier. EPA approved!
It's never let me down and cleans very easy. Some people comment that it doesn't flow well and that is usually because the water bottle is sealed when in place and this does not allow the air to escape. Simply twist the bottle and allow the air to escape now and again while pumping. I would feel fine pumping from a green icky pond with no worry's.

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Old 10 Aug 2015
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It's an old thread but still relevant.

I was asking the question about water filtration on a Bushcraft forum recently, when I came across the Water2go bottle. I bought one to try out before my trip as at £25 it seemed worth a go.

I've not come across anyone else using them and think they might be quite new on the market. All the testing credentials seem good, and it filters out everything you'd want to get rid of too.

Official testing results for Water-to-Go filtration

As well as that I'm considering taking some purification tablets with me. Can anyone recommend some?

Earlier in the thread someone mentioned that Lifesaver bottles were available cheap on ebay. I did a search and in deed they are. What's the deal with that? They are like a 1/3 of the price.

Finally on the subject of water filtration/purification, I'm wondering how safe it is when you see all these people in ride reports bathing in lakes, rivers, streams. seems like a good way to pick up something nasty.
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Old 11 Aug 2015
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Drops of iodine bought at a pharmacy for tap water/river water I do not trust. So far works well though takes some time.

2 hours per liter in cold water, 10 drops.

Alex
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Old 11 Aug 2015
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Funny that this old thread pops up, the same day I learned something new (to me)
According to an old Cottees chemist (cordial manufacturers in Aust) diet red cordial, kills water borne contaminents instantly, whereas iodine takes some time. Supposedly only needs one teaspoon per army issue water hip flask.
Reportedly, the Australian Army discontinued the iodine & handed out cordial instead.
This is a 2nd hand story & I am not aware of how much truth is in it, but let google be your friend !
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Old 11 Aug 2015
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Originally Posted by Bucket1960 View Post
Funny that this old thread pops up, the same day I learned something new (to me)
According to an old Cottees chemist (cordial manufacturers in Aust) diet red cordial, kills water borne contaminents instantly, whereas iodine takes some time. Supposedly only needs one teaspoon per army issue water hip flask.
Doesn't do much for the taste of coffee though
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Old 11 Aug 2015
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I guess I'm desperate i can buy a coke:

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Old 11 Aug 2015
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Ah, but did it filter out all the harmful sugar from the coke?
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Old 27 Mar 2016
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Silly but millbank bag and army puritabs worked form me in the army

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