Water?

[tomimcmillar]

Curious what everybody else does for a clean water supply.  I have some of the purification elixer stuff, Sweetwater from MSR, to clean up the nasties/make it safe to drink. 

Do ya'll feel it's necessary to use a filter when filling up from a stream, doesn't the filter just clean out particulate matter?  Is the chemical treatment alone enough to be safe?

thnx.

[FeloniousDunk]

Hey Tomi,

I used a filter for a long time and switched to Aqua Mira a few years ago.  I wouldn't go back.  Aqua Mira is lighter, smaller, cheaper, simpler and just as, if not more, effective.  The only time I'd pack a filter now is if I was going to be getting water from low farm land area rivers that are always muddy.  I don't travel in those parts any more though. 

~Shaun

[dave54]

Most of the creeks around here have cattle upstream (or sierra club groups, worse), so I filter all open water.  I'd rather be safe than sorry.  If you are right at the spring source it is probably OK.

Good filters will remove even microscopic organisms, not just visible particulates.  The more expensive ones will also removed some of the dissolved minerals.

[ScottM]

I almost always filter, even from springs.  I use a Katadyn hiker, or the water bottle version.

Chemical treatment works just as well at killing giardia and crypto, but often you're supposed to wait a long time for crypto coverage.

I'm used to having one or two none-too-clear sources of water, esp. here in AZ, so I've always leaned towards a filter. 

[tomimcmillar]

The sources I'm looking at this wknd are mtn stream headwaters, no farmland upstream, so not low lying pasture drainage type. So I guess I'll be leaving the filter gizmo at home this time, will be able to hit known sources at the state parks.  Just figuring out the Saturday morning refill, figure to be camping halfway between here and the first known 'good' source, factor in dinner and breakfast prep and I'll be needing to refill before rolling too far.  Saturday night I'll be close to the State Park again, so can fill up from the spicket. 

The MSR stuff is 5 drops per liter, wait 5 minutes.....with all sorts of toxic warnings about skin contact, so it must be strong stuff.

[Pivvay]

I use a combo depending on the trip. MP1 tablets (chlorine dioxide like aqua mira) and a steripen adventurer (fast but needs clearer water).

There are some times I would like a filter too but I don't own one and the MP1 with a sufficiently long contact time does the trick to kill everything.

[tomimcmillar]

hmmmmm, did some more research....looks like the Sweetwater treatment is just for virus killing....not the same as AquaMira or KlearWater treatments.   Soooooo, guess I'll throw my seldom used, older Pur (now Katadyn?) Guide into the kit.  Filter elements don't go bad with age, right?

If I end up shittin' my brains out Sunday/Monday, I'll let ya'll know.   

[ScottM]

That's right, viruses are really only a concern in third world countries--not in the backcountry.  The ones you need to get rid of are parasites like giardia and cryptosporidium.  AquaMira and other chemical ones will kill them, but they are also blocked by the filter elements.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a filter that's a few years old.  I replace the filter on my Hiker every year or so, depending on how much water I pump and how "bad" it is. 

Oh, and if you do get sick you won't know for a couple weeks...

[Pivvay]

hmmmmm, did some more research....looks like the Sweetwater treatment is just for virus killing....not the same as AquaMira or KlearWater treatments.   Soooooo, guess I'll throw my seldom used, older Pur (now Katadyn?) Guide into the kit.  Filter elements don't go bad with age, right?

If I end up shittin' my brains out Sunday/Monday, I'll let ya'll know.   

MP1 is sold at REI and most outdoor stores and it's not too expensive. Get the 30 tab pack and it will last you a while.

[Eric]

I'm a fan of Polar pure iodine crystals, it creates a solution that you use to treat. And a bottle basically lasts forever. I either loose it or break the bottle before I run out. Iodine tabs are lighter though. You cant buy polar pure in all states though since you can make Crystal meth with it. PM me if interested how.

just kidding.
But generally in the mountains if I don't think there are beavers upstream I just drink it.
Filters are worthless in Alaska due to the glacier sediment too.

[sean salach]

Tomi, if you want to save some water, avoid cooking. instant oatmeal can be soaked for ten minutes in cold water to get nearly the same creamy consistancy as cooked. i almost never cook while camping/bikepacking unless i'm in a spot for a couple of days and get a campfire going. saves the weight of stove/fuel and the extra water.

[AmyL]

Tomi,

Like Shaun, I formerly used a katadyn filter or Polar Pure iodine for a long time, and then switched to chlorine dioxide (Aqua Mira drops or KlearWater) several years ago.  Aqua Mira is lighter, smaller, cheaper, simpler and just as, if not more, effective than a filter. 
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/aquamira_mcnett.html

-Amy

[Pivvay]

Tomi,

Like Shaun, I formerly used a katadyn filter or Polar Pure iodine for a long time, and then switched to chlorine dioxide (Aqua Mira drops or KlearWater) several years ago.  Aqua Mira is lighter, smaller, cheaper, simpler and just as, if not more, effective than a filter. 
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/aquamira_mcnett.html

-Amy

Heh, not to repeat myself but for those who don't know MP1 is the same as aqua mira or clearwater but NO DROPS or liquid. Super duper light little foil packets, 1 tablet per liter at normal contact times. Half the dose, double the contact time (good over night useage). I just like them because they don't break or spill. Transporting liquids besides water (okay or coffee) is something I try not to do. Hence my heavy use of Esbit and MP1 tabs. Of course the Steripen Adeventurer (3.5oz) is still the fastest solution for normal mountain water for those who would prefer not taking a chance drinking directly. Bike bottle treated in 45-90 seconds depending on size.

[sherpaxc]

Tomi, if you want to save some water, avoid cooking. instant oatmeal can be soaked for ten minutes in cold water to get nearly the same creamy consistancy as cooked. i

How does this save water? 

[DaveC]

I've been an iodine user for 2 decades.  Filters are big and expensive, and take time.  Taste has never bothered me.

I do drink untreated water upon occasion.  I had "issues" after the KTR in 2007, but I think that might've been exercise/stress caused villi mass-die-off induced.  (I drank an unfiltered bottle from Hideout.)

[Slowerthensnot]

mp1 fan here

Steri pen broke after 3 trips.

If I'm staying for a bit hard to beat boil action over a little fire

[ferlyn388]

Water is a ubiquitous chemical substance that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for all known forms of life. So, people should drink water, a clear water. In order for us to protect ourselves, right?




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[daveB]

Water is a ubiquitous chemical substance that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for all known forms of life. So, people should drink water, a clear water. In order for us to protect ourselves, right?

Yes, but do beware... http://www.dhmo.org/

Another AquaMira fan here.  Used PolarPure and iodine tabs years ago but if you're out for months at a time, I doubt that iodine is super healthy.  Use an old Pur Hiker if there are poop floaties.

[chrisx]

read the fine print. 
Filters must be replaced after freezing.
Steri pen needs clear water to work well, microscopic organisms can survive in the shade of a tiny particle.
chemical treatment has a mountain of propaganda against it.
what are you going to do?

[paxton coyote]

 Been using an old Pur Hiker for years pumping out of the South Platte River 4 hours east of Denver, I'm still alive, though it's a little big & bulky.