Water Purification
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that 90% of the world’s water is contaminated in some way. The water might look clear, but chances are that there are microscopic dangers, lurking unseen. There are three basic methods of water purification: boiling, filtering, and using chemical additives. All have pros and cons.
Boiling is the age-old method, which always has proven effective. Bringing water to a boil kills whatever is living inside of it. However, boiling water takes time. You’ll need a device to boil the water, and it probably will be a hassle. On a hot day, who would want to drink warm water over the cool water from the stream? Boiling is safe, and might be ideal for hot drinks such as coffee or tea, but might not be worth the effort.
Mountain Safety Research has a variety of water purifier options. The MIOX purifier is a pocket-sized, easy-to-use, battery-powered device that quickly kills protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. With a battery life good for approximately 200 liters, it really packs a punch. It was recognized by Popular Science as the 2003 winner in “The Best of What’s New.”
Water filters need to do more than just take out the sediment in water, especially if you want to take care of the culprits that give water an odd odor or taste. Filtration is more expensive than boiling, but is very easy and portable. The filters can be very ergonomic; click here to see an example, and they often remove the taste that chemical purifiers can create.
Chemical purifiers use either chlorine or iodine as the major disinfectant. Chlorine tablets are very compact, but many have short life spans. After collecting the water and adding the tablets, the chemicals should be allowed at least a half hour to work. Tablets often cause a bad taste; the taste can be improved by adding salt or other flavoring such as a lemonade mix. The chemical are more effective in warmer water.
You should choose your purification methods based on your needs, and never choose the risk of not purifying the water you drink.
