BACKPACKING WATER TREATMENT - Options & Tips - There’s no easy way to tell whether or not that pristine-looking stream a few hundred yards away from your camp is harboring a gut-seeking microbe. If any animal, including humans, can reach an area, so can disease-causing microorganisms. You might find people who claim they’ve been happily drinking untreated backcountry water for years. Beyond mere good fortune, it’s possible they have especially robust immune systems. Such symptom-free people can, of course, still carry their microbiological secret with them to each and every new campsite. The best practice is to treat water from any source, which is what most savvy outdoor visitors do. Any water source on Earth could contain microscopic pathogens, a fluvial zoo spawned when that source became contaminated with human or animal feces. Ingesting as few as 10 disease-causing microorganisms is enough to produce diarrhea and other dehydration-inducing symptoms. Always carry a backup treatment system. A filter can be lost; batteries can drain; a device can get broken. Chemicals offer extra security with negligible weight. Boiling is a surefire backup option: Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, or for 3 minutes if you’re above 6,500 feet. Flowing water, especially in a stream or river is a good option because it isn’t conducive to the growth of algae or the accumulation of microorganisms. A bonus is that mosquitoes don’t lay eggs in fast-flowing water.

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Backpacking Water Treatment

Options & Tips

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Any water source on Earth could contain microscopic pathogens. Ingesting as few as 10 disease-causing microorganisms is enough to produce diarrhea and other dehydration-inducing symptoms. Always carry a backup treatment system. A filter can be lost; batteries can drain; a device can get broken. Chemicals offer extra security with negligible weight. Boiling is a surefire backup option.

Tim Bird 

This article is part of our series: How to Go Backpacking

 

Why all the fuss about water treatment outdoors?

The answer is that there’s no easy way to tell whether or not that pristine-looking stream a few hundred yards away from your camp is harboring a gut-seeking microbe.

If any animal, including humans, can reach an area, so can disease-causing microorganisms.

You might find people who claim they’ve been happily drinking untreated backcountry water for years.

Beyond mere good fortune, it’s possible they have especially robust immune systems.

Such symptom-free people can, of course, still carry their microbiological secret with them to each and every new campsite.

The best practice is to treat water from any source, which is what most savvy outdoor visitors do.

This article offers an overview and tips on outdoor water treatment. To learn about options for travel abroad, read Water Treatment for International Travel.

Primary Types of Waterborne Threats

Any water source on Earth could contain microscopic pathogens, a fluvial zoo spawned when that source became contaminated with human or animal feces.

Ingesting as few as 10 disease-causing microorganisms is enough to produce diarrhea and other dehydration-inducing symptoms.

Pathogens, some of which can survive for months outdoors, fall within three primary types:

Protozoa include Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. These have a hard outer cyst that protects them against certain chemicals. Their relatively large size, though, makes them easier to filter out of water.

Bacteria include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Campylobacter and many others. These midsize microorganisms can also be removed by water filters.

Viruses include Hepatitis A, rotavirus, and norovirus. Because they are smaller than protozoa and bacteria, they are difficult to filter out of water. Technically speaking, treating water by removing or neutralizing them is when you’re “purifying” water.

For a detailed look at your treatment options for all of these pathogens, read How to Choose a Filter or Purifier.

Tip: Always carry a backup treatment system. A filter can be lost; batteries can drain; a device can get broken. Chemicals offer extra security with negligible weight. Boiling is a surefire backup option: Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, or for 3 minutes if you’re above 6,500 feet.

Where to Gather Water

What to look for in a water source:

·      Flowing water, especially in a stream or river. This is a good option because it isn’t conducive to the growth of algae or the accumulation of microorganisms. A bonus is that mosquitoes don’t lay eggs in fast-flowing water.

·      If no clear flowing source is available, then look for calm water (a lake, a pool, a slow-moving stream) without a lot of sediment or silt. Clearer water passes through a filter more swiftly and reduces the chance of clogging.

·      A location that allows you to reach well away from the shore, where microorganisms tend to accumulate in higher concentrations.

Tip: After a heavy rain, wait before gathering water for treatment. When streams are on the rise, rain has washed surface material into them, as well as lakes and other water sources. This increases bacterial loads and muddies up gathered water.

Danger signs in a water source:

The following tipoffs suggest a much greater likelihood of contamination.

If you can choose another water source, do so. If not, then follow water treatment directions for your product carefully.

·      Water (particularly at lower elevations) near meadows or pastures where animals have grazed or near popular, established campsites.

·      Evidence of pack animal traffic or other domesticated animal activity.

·      Signs of sloppy human behavior or a prolonged human visit.

·      Excessive amounts of foam or brown scum, which can indicate algae blooms; though algae itself is rarely harmful, it indicates a nutrient-rich environment for microorganisms to grow.

·      Dirty snow, which indicates human visitors and impacts; also, don’t assume that even clean-looking snow is “safe” because bacteria can live for months in ice.

How to Gather Water

The most important thing when you gather water for treatment is to seek out the clearest possible water.

Leaves, algae and silt don’t pose a threat, but they do complicate the process of treating water when they’re present.

If murky or silty water is unavoidable, consider these strategies:

·      Gather from the surface: Use the pot in your cookset and scoop water from near the surface of the least murky section of water you can locate. Let the pot sit so sediment sinks to the bottom. Take care not to disturb the sediment as you treat this now clearer water.

·      Use a prefilter. If you’re using a filter, its intake hose likely has one on the end. It keeps larger debris from clogging the internal filter element. Prefilters are even more essential for UV-treatment options, and are often sold as an accessory item. No prefilter? Strain water through a bandanna before treating.

Many illnesses attributed to bad water are actually caused by poor hygiene, so keep your hands clean. Pack hand sanitizer and use it often — each and every time you answer Nature’s call. It’s also good practice to sanitize before food prep, before water duty and after your hands have been in contact with a natural water source. 

Leave No Trace Practices

Good practices are required to keep water sources pristine. As more and more of us visit wild places, we need to rededicate ourselves to Leave No Trace principles. Below are some of the key principles related to preserving the quality of backcountry water:

·      Camp at least 200 feet away from water sources.

·      Properly dispose of human waste at least 200 feet away from water sources.

·      Carry water for cleaning at least 200 feet away from water sources.

·      Never use or toss soapy water directly into backcountry water sources. It can help spawn a population of microscopic pathogens in the water.

·      Dispose of soapy water by dispersing it on soil rather than rocks. Soil microorganisms help metabolize the pollutants.

https://youtu.be/Kb_6eXF8kVE

Tim Bird

Camping and Hiking Sales Manager Tim Bird (REI Knoxville, Tenn.), has treated backcountry water along the full length of the Appalachian Trail.

Expert Advice

Your go-to source for expert outdoor knowledge you can trust. All the information you need to learn new skills, choose and maintain gear, prep for your trips and have amazing adventures.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-howto.html

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The Leave No Trace Principles 

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ANTIOXIDANTS AND HARMFUL WATER CONTAMINANTS - Contaminants are ever present, even in seemingly clean water. Researchers suggest that antioxidants such as vitamin C and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help protect you from the harmful effects of hexavalent chromium, a contaminant commonly found in drinking water. Researchers from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois looked at human cells to determine whether antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity. They exposed two types of human cells to different concentrations of hexavalent chromium. They observed the chemical’s toxic effects on cells at concentrations of 200 parts per billion (ppb) or higher. Hexavalent chromium often leaches into water supply through industrial waste. This chemical is known to cause cancer, and studies revealed that it contaminates water supplies for more than 200 million people in the United States. The harmful effects of high hexavalent chromium concentrations could be completely blocked by adding vitamin C or EGCG. In additional experiments, the researchers investigated DNA mutations in bacteria exposed to 20 ppb or more of hexavalent chromium. Treating bacteria exposed to the chemical with vitamin C prevented the DNA mutations. The researchers concluded that an oxidative mechanism may be responsible for the contaminant’s toxicity, which could be prevented by treating water with antioxidants.

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Antioxidants and harmful water contaminants

Antioxidants also shield you from the harmful effects of water contaminants, according to study

By Melissa Smith

waterfilters.news

Contaminants are ever present, even in seemingly clean water.

Researchers suggest that antioxidants such as vitamin C and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help protect you from the harmful effects of hexavalent chromium, a contaminant commonly found in drinking water.

Researchers from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois looked at human cells to determine whether antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity.

They exposed two types of human cells to different concentrations of hexavalent chromium.

They observed the chemical’s toxic effects on cells at concentrations of 200 parts per billion (ppb) or higher.

Hexavalent chromium often leaches into water supply through industrial waste.

This chemical is known to cause cancer, and studies revealed that it contaminates water supplies for more than 200 million people in the United States.

The researchers found that the harmful effects of high hexavalent chromium concentrations could be completely blocked by adding vitamin C at 10 parts per million (ppm) or EGCG at 15 ppm.

In additional experiments, the researchers investigated DNA mutations in bacteria exposed to 20 ppb or more of hexavalent chromium.

The results showed that treating bacteria exposed to the chemical with 20 ppm of vitamin C prevented the DNA mutations.

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that an oxidative mechanism may be responsible for the contaminant’s toxicity, which could be prevented by treating water with antioxidants.

The team hopes that their study could help improve water quality monitoring and regulation, and could lead to treatment that reduces health risks from exposure to hexavalent chromium.

They presented their findings at the 2019 Experimental Biology meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Access to safe drinking water in the U.S. is not guaranteed, so putting in extra effort on keeping your water clean and safe for consumption is important.

Numerous studies have shown that there are hundreds of contaminants in the water supply.

Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act since 1974 only regulates about 90 contaminants.

The findings of the study highlight the importance of better regulation of these contaminants.

Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables, including berries, bell peppers, and citrus fruits. EGCG, on the other hand, is the main antioxidant found in green tea.

The researchers have yet to determine exactly how much protection you would get from increasing your intake of these antioxidants, but these compounds have already been linked to many other health benefits.

Therefore, upping your intake of vitamin C and EGCG is good for your overall health.

Making sure your water is safe to drink

Water is one of the basic needs of many living beings. It keeps you hydrated, aids in digestion, helps flush out toxins, and even aids in weight loss.

Ensuring that your drinking water is clean is also important to prevent disease and other harmful effects caused by contaminated water.

Here are some tips for making sure your water is safe:

·      Check your water quality – You can request a report from your city or contact your local water supplier to conduct water testing. Water suppliers are required by law to regulate and monitor the supply for contaminants and reduce them to safe levels determined by the EPA.

·      Invest in a water filter – Trace amounts of impurities can still be present in water even if it is monitored. These impurities can include lead that leaches from household plumbing. Exposure to very low levels of lead in drinking water can cause cognitive problems, particularly in children. Consider investing in a reverse osmosis carbon filter, which can be installed under the sink. (Related: How to Choose the Perfect Water Filter for Your Home)

·      Don’t rely on bottled water – Bottled water is not safe from contaminants, either. Consumer Reports reveal that some bottled water brands contain arsenic at unsafe levels. Drinking filtered water from your home filtration system is safe and eco-friendly, reducing your use of plastic bottles.

Learn more ways on how to keep your drinking water clean and safe at WaterPurifiers.news.

https://www.waterfilters.news/2019-11-25-antioxidants-protect-you-from-harmful-water-contaminants.html

WHAT MICRONS MEAN TO WATER FILTERS - A micron, as defined by dictionary.com is: “Also called micrometer. The millionth part of a meter. Symbol: μ, mu.” One millionth of a meter works out at 0.0001 cm or 0.001 mm. A human hair is around 0.0889 mm. Most filters can have their effectiveness at removing pollutants measured by how low their micron score is. For example, a water filter that protects down to 1 micron, will block any particles larger than this from passing through. Anything smaller than 1 micron may continue through and be part of your drinking water. Water pollutants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and by knowing exactly what you’re looking for, you stand a much greater chance of stopping it. For a water filter to protect against the smallest virus particles, it would need to have a filter capable of working down to below 0.004 microns. The micron rating is not the only thing to be considered when buying a home water filter.

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Microns

What They Mean to Water Filters

Jon Godfrey

Not all water filters were created equally. Find out what a micron is, and why they are so important to water filters.

Microns and Water Filters

A micron, as defined by dictionary.com is:

“Also called micrometer. The millionth part of a meter. Symbol: μ, mu.”

In slightly more understandable terms, one millionth of a meter works out at 0.0001 cm or 0.001 mm.

A human hair is around 0.0889 mm and there are 25,4000 microns in one inch.

You might ask what this little science lesson has to do with water filters?

Well most filters can have their effectiveness at removing pollutants measured by how low their micron score is.

For example, a water filter that protects down to 1 micron, will block any particles larger than this from passing through.

Anything smaller than 1 micron may continue through and be part of your drinking water.

Water pollutants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and by knowing exactly what you’re looking for, you stand a much greater chance of stopping it.

The table below shows some common water pollutants and their sizes in microns.

Water Pollutant   Particle Size (Microns)

Mold Spores        10 - 30

Asbestos             0.7 - 90

Insecticide          0.5 - 10

Bacteria              0.2 - 10

Lead                   0.1 - 0.7

Viruses               0.004 - 0.1

Note the size of virus particles. These include E-coli, hepatitis, and legionnaires disease.

For a water filter to protect against the smallest virus particles, it would need to have a filter capable of working down to below 0.004 microns.

Actually, to be guaranteed protection then an ultraviolet filter would be needed too.

The only methods of home water filtration that work on this scale are reverse osmosis, and distillation.

Now water distillation cannot be measured in microns, but reverse osmosis can.

An RO membrane can filter down to an amazing 0.0001 microns or 0.00000001 cm.

Compare this with the most effective whole house filter that I am aware of, the Aquasana Rhino, which fights water contaminants down to 0.35 microns, and a typical carbon filter which could work from anywhere between 0.5 – 20 microns.

Each system has it’s positive and negative aspects, and the micron rating is not the only thing to be considered when buying a home water filter.

For example, a problem with chlorine would not require such strict filtration. Be aware though, that just any old water filter will not be a solution to water pollution for every problem.

Certain contaminants will only be removed by certain water filter types.

Make sure you know exactly what is wrong with your water before you commit to buying a home water filter

My name is Jon Godfrey, and I am the creator of Water Filter Answers.

With the advent of fracking and the increasing threat of pollution encroaching further into our lives, it has never been more important to regulate our daily drinking water.

We provide information on the impact that water filters may have on your drinking water. By explaining the science and breaking down the terminology, we hope that we can help you make the most informed decisions for your health.

We recognize that there are many ways to filter drinking water, and we want to show you the best method for each situation and budget. Aside from our extensive reviews of water filter systems, we also regularly publish informative articles on water quality and pollution.

We can counteract the effects of water pollution, but more importantly, we should try to reduce our impact on the environment.

https://waterfilteranswers.com/microns-mean-filters/