Water Purification When Camping: 3 Ways To Ensure Water Safety

How can you tell if water is safe? You can’t. You can only estimate how clean it might be. Water that smells or looks stagnant or mucky is probably not good to drink.

But even water that is clear and fresh can contain Giardia or other organisms that can make you sick. (Clear water high in the mountains or deep in backcountry might be okay.)

If there are habitations of any sort (hiker’s hit, ranger stations, ranches) above the water source (check the map for these) or cattle or horses or signs of them in the area, treat the water if you have to use it.

The safest approach is to treat or boil all your water. No treatment method is foolproof, however so always take it from the cleanest source available.

credit: sebrenner

Some Preparations

When you treat water, do it properly or it’s a waste of time. Whichever water treatment method you use - filtration, chemical purification or boiling - it’s important that your hands are clean before you handle food or drinking containers.

Wash them thoroughly after going to the toilet and before you collect water or cook.

Failure to do this could nullify any water treatment. Keep water containers clean too. There’s no point dipping a clean bottle into a pool, treating the water in the bottle and then drinking from the bottle.

Use one bottle for collecting and treating water and then transfer the water to a clean container.

1) Filtration

Filter water instructions exactly. Don’t touch the filter unless your hands are clean. If your filter doesn’t have a pre-filter unit and the water has visible debris in it, it’s a good idea to tilter this out first through a bandanna or coffee filter; otherwise it may clog your water filter. All filters will clog eventually; on long hikes carry spare cartridge or pack a chemical treatment as a backup.

After use, clean and store filter according to the instructions. In the end, it can be difficult to maintain a filter properly on a long hike, and I would not want to rely on just one.

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter

The Katadyn Hiker is ideal for lightweight backpacking, and eliminates Giardia, Cryptosporidium and most bacteria.

Compact design and easy operation.
AntiClog pleated cartridge requires no maintenance.
Outdoor market’s number-one-selling microfilter.
Chosen the unrivaled best for field use in Backpacker Magazine’s water filter comparison.

Specifications:
Microfiltration Method: AntiClog technology: 107 square inches of pleated 0.3 micron glassfiber media
Output: Up to 1 quart (1 liter) per minute or 48 strokes per quart Cartridge
Capacity: Depends on water quality
Weight: 11 oz.
Height: 6.5″ Hose Length: 36″
Includes: Prefilter, EasyFill bottle adapter and carry bag

2) Chemical Treatment

Chemical treatments are much lighter to carry and easier to use than filter. Following the instructions is critical here too. Chemical treatments take time to work, so you will have to wait as long as instructions indicate before you can drink the water.

One disadvantage of iodine and chlorine is that they leave an unpleasant taste in the water.

You can remove the flavor by adding ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) but don’t do this until the treatment has had time to work. Chlorine dioxide treatments such as Aquamira or Pristine, don’t leave a taste.

Katadyn Micropur Tablets - 30 pack

The Only EPA Registered Purification Tablets on the Market - effective against Cryptosporidium, Giardia, bacteria, and viruses.

The only disinfection system effective against viruses, bacteria, cryptosporidium, and Giardia
Fresh tasting water - no unpleasant taste
Easy to use tablets
The same proven technology that is used in municipal water supplies
Lightweight and compact - ideal for traveling, lightweight backpacking, and emergency use
Purification Method: Chlorine Dioxide Tablets

Output: 1 tablet treats 1 quart (1 liter) of water
Capacity: 30 tablets

3) Boiling

Bringing water to a boil is the most effective way to purify it as all harmful organisms are killed before the water reaches the boiling point. There is no need to boil the water for any length. Boiling isn’t practical for all your water but it’s fine when you’re going to use it for cooking.

If you’re going to drink boiled water rather than cook in it, shake it or transfer it from one container to another to aerate it, which will keep it from tasting flat.

MSR Pocket Rocket Stove - Titan Kettle Kit

The award-winning PocketRocket has seen rave reviews for years. MSR has coupled the PocketRocket with the exceptional Titan Kettle for a lightweight way for you to create those culinary delights when you’re in the backcountry.

PocketRocket Stove

When it comes to canister-mounted stoves, MSR proves less is more. The PocketRocket is a favorite of BACKPACKER Magazine Tester Andy Dappen, who said, “This midget flamethrower is one of the lightest backpacking stoves available, and the best cartridge stove I’ve used.”

• Ultralight, Pocket-Sized - Weights just 3 oz. (86 g). Palm-size dimensions, 4×4x2 inches.
• Simple, Lightning Fast Operation - No need for priming, pressurizing or maintenance.
• Blazing Heat Output - Boils a liter of water in under 3.5 minutes.
• Simmer or Boil - Glove-friendly controls allow precise flame adjustment and stability.
• Windclip Windshield - Micro-burner, tri-sectional clip protects flame in light wind gusts.
• Burns MSR IsoPro Premium Fuel - Clean burning, ultimate performance from start to finish of canister life.

Weight: 3 oz. (86 g)

Titan Kettle

Versatile enough to be a pot, mug or bowl, this lightweight and strong titanium kettle complements the Titan Cookset perfectly. The Titan Kettle holds .85 liters of liquid and comes with a tight-fitting lid and drip-free spout for ease of pouring.

• Kettle and Cup nest for ease of packability
• Team with Titan Titanium Spoon for a bare-minimum “solo” cookware kit.

Weight: 4.2oz/118g

Finally if your filter fails or you run out of chemical treatments, don’t risk dehydration by not drinking untreated water. You need water to continue hiking and survive.

If it makes you sick, you can deal with that later. If you do get sick and it lasts more than a few days it’s best to hike out and get medical treatment. In the meantime drink plenty, especially if you have diarrhea.

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