Cleaning Water in the Backcountry

WHY ALL WATER SHOULD BE TREATED

It is a good rule of thumb to assume that any water source need to be purified. If a stream or water way can be accessible to humans or animals there is a good chance the water could be tainted and need to be purified before consumption. Waterborne pathogens like diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and exhaustion can be present in even the clearest mountain stream. There are so many purifying techniques available that it is silly not to take the time to clean your water.

THE BAD STUFF

There are different levels of harmful "stuff" in you water. Viruses like the hepatitis A and B are the smallest things in the water and the hardest of all destroy. Boiling water, using chemicals, or good filters are the only way to eliminate them. Salmonella and other bacteria are of average size is fairly simple to eliminate. Protozoa are the largest threat and very easy to be filtered out by any purifying technique.

WAYS TO PURIFY YOUR WATER

Filters and Purifiers-are a must have when you plan visits to third world countries. Viruses are in high numbers here and most tourist get sick from drinking the water in a matter of days. Don't let this ruin your trip. The filters will trap things like protozoa and bacteria. Purifiers, on the other hand will handle viruses since most of these are too tiny for filters.

Personal Tip: If you don't have a purifier you can use a filter and chemicals to effectively treat the water.

Boiling- is probably the most effective method for treating tainted water. There are some drawbacks that are indirectly associated with this method though. The main one being that you have to carry extra gear. To boil water you will need to carry extra fuel and large supply. It also takes longer and requires much more work than any method.

Chemical Treatment- is an inexpensive and very light way to keep your drinking water clean. Iodine and chlorine work great against viruses but the will not protect you from cryptosporidia. These methods add a chemical taste to the water. Some people say it's an acquired taste.

Personal Tip: If your ultra light hiker you can store your chemicals in empty contact solution style bottles. These can be found at most outfitting stores. Also, if you can't stand the taste of the chemical solution try carrying around some Gatorade powder to mix with the water. This should eliminate or at least mask the taste and replenish your electrolytes at the same time.

Oxidant purifiers- are a relatively new method of treating tainted water. This method is much quicker that other chemical methods and much more effective. Unlike iodine and chlorine, oxidant purifiers can't protect against cryptosporidia. These are still new methods and relatively hard to come across.

Ultraviolet Light-is a method that utilizes a steri-pen to irradiate the water. In doing so it then neutralizes pathogens of all shapes and sizes.

PERSONAL TIPS

- Don't drink the first few pumps from a water filter. There is old water and debris in the pump and hoses. These first few pumps will be stale tasting.
- Take your cooking pot and dip it in to the water. Use your filter to filter
water from the pot instead of the stream. By filtering from the water you can help dirt and mud settle to the bottom and avoid skimming debris from the top of the water.

Even if you have a top of the line water filter you should always carry a back up method. You never know when your filter may break or become lost. Chemical solutions are the best backup method because they are so small.