Where are you going ?? There are very few places left in the world where it is a real problem.

I use Lifesystems tablets. I stash enough for about 20 litres. That would cover almost any eventuality between shops, petrol stations, hostels etc.

A rolling boil for two minutes will kill any bugs and parasites too.

It's only in contaminated water supplies that you really need to filter as there could be heavy metals in the water etc.

I used one of these last year and it was excellent. When the filters full, it doesnt flow, so you know ! Very handy whilst on the move with dubious water.

Pure Hydration Aquapure Traveller Bottle

The filters mentioed above are all excellent, but I'd ensure you clean everything out of the water if living "rough" and drawing from streams etc.

Iain

As far as I know you have to achieve a reasonable level of water clarity before chemical or light treatments will work effectively. Any small bits of crud will safely harbour the stuff you're trying to get rid of.

So its funny to me to see in the Miox chart on the previous page listing the fact it won't clog as a positive compared to filters.

The Miox won't work unless you either have clear water, or you use a seperate pre-filter to achieve that IMHO. I tried to find out the level of filtration required before they say it will work effectively, but I can't. Anyone got one, what do the instructions say?

What their website does show for a permanent installation under "periperal equipment" (!) is rather a lot of pre-treatment :)

Peripheral Equipment Mixed oxidants, On site Hypochlorite generation, Biofilm, Chlorination, Municipal Water disinfection treatment reuse

Water purification
 

Check this out too:

Water Purification - Fit For Travel

Water Treatment
 

I bought a LifeSaver 0,75 l. filter/bottle this summer for a backpacking trip to Rwanda and Ethiopia. Works perfectly. Used mostly tap water. Bottle water is available nearly everywhere, and you see the discarded plastic all over the place. Not good. How pukka the water you buy is an unknown, there have been organised swindels, but their profit margin must be tiny.
Downside, very risky trying to take it through airport security as handluggage, almost certain to be confiscated. We usually travel with only handluggage, except on return trip when my wife pulls out her "presents list" and loots the nearest market, everybody smiles at us for some reason.
Another downside, LifeSaver use TNT or DHL or whatever, and the bill they sent me for forewarding, customs processing, and lending me the VAT charge was nearly the same as the bottle.

Lifesaver Bottle - Water Purification Systems

I had a parasite infestation 40 years ago, and still live with the after effects. Never again, LifeSaver, or similar, is worth every penny for me.

Safe travels,

Peter, in Oslo

Lifesaver bottles can be had relatively cheaply on UK Ebay.

:)

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.

First Need XL Portable Water Purifier - Water Purifiers and Water Micro Filters - General Ecology

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.

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

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 !:thumbup1:

Doesn't do much for the taste of coffee though

I guess I'm desperate i can buy a coke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Fd8i3F0xY

Ah, but did it filter out all the harmful sugar from the coke?

Don't know, will try it mine before I replace the filter.

To answer my own question;

In the end I went for MSR MiniWorks. Amazing piece of equipment really, true a bit bulky but light enough and very, very reliable. I spent eighteen months in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, drinking from all sorts of water sources from hostel taps to stagnant pools of water and I never, ever got sick. I'll be buying another filter for it and out it'll go for another year with me! MSR make absolutely fantastic gear. Highly recommended.