Water Treatment requirements in the US

[uberhada]

I have been pouring over the threads for water treatment, trying to figure out what kind of gear to get, there's a lot of stuff out there.

What is really required here in the US, my current concern being streams/rivers/lakes of the western states, for treatment? Some folks believe in overkill, still others will say "Meh, throw some xxxx in there and call it good". So I never did find enough information to make an educated decision.

I found this table below, and theres quite a jump to removing Viruses from the water. What could you really expect to find in the water here vs a 3rd World Country, or does anyone know where I could find regional data like that?

Protozoa________Giardia, Cryptosporidium_______________5microns or larger_______Water filter___________1.0–4.0 microns
Bacteria_________Cholera, E. coli, Salmonella____________0.2–0.5 microns________Microfilter____________0.2–1.0 microns
Viruses__________Hepatitis A, rotavirus, Norwalk virus_____0.004 microns_________Water purifier__________to 0.004 microns

[Walterxr650l]

With bottled water available at every gas station and convenience store. There is really no need for a filter. But if you want to filter any of the good backpacking filters should do. I use the MSR mini works. I have never used it off the bike. I have carried it a lot. I have only used it backpacking.

Walter

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by uberhada

I have been pouring over the threads for water treatment, trying to figure out what kind of gear to get, there's a lot of stuff out there.

What is really required here in the US, my current concern being streams/rivers/lakes of the western states, for treatment? Some folks believe in overkill, still others will say "Meh, throw some xxxx in there and call it good". So I never did find enough information to make an educated decision.

What could you really expect to find in the water here vs a 3rd World Country, or does anyone know where I could find regional data like that?

You basically have three system types:

Filters: Most often pump, sometimes gravity (slower) and now some electrical or solar powered. For bikers lets stick to low volume systems (pumps).

In the filter group there are three basic types.

I. Pump Filters

A. Filters -- get most all living creatures, viruses excepted. This works in 99.9% of all cases. WIth clear moving water you only need to really worry about is bateria. (msr katadin etc)

B. Filter chemical combo -- Results in clear water with a moderate ammount of chemical treatment and kills viruses.

C. Pump Purifiers -- use charcoal systems to remove all living organisms and also trap the elements of any mixture (not solutions), these take out all kinds of things, even heavy metals (they can turn coke it into soda water) and all viruses. Disadvantage: can´t clean the filter so you sometimes need to carry spare canisters. Definatly the best for total protection (1st need).

II. Chemical treatment -- iodine/chlorine (tablet or liquid) kills all living things including viruses. Pros: cheap Cons: flavors water unhealthy over long term use.

III. UV Light -- kills all living things, done not clean the water. cons: Muddy water stays muddy. No removal of forieng chemicals. Require batteries. Advs: No pumping. Super lightweight (steri pen, Maeridian desins) .

[Sabre]

I've backpacked all over the country and travelled in the Amazon with a pump filter. Never had any problems at all...the peace of mind was well worth the small extra bulk/weight and effort. Sure beats the hell out of the purification tablets.

[longtallsally]

Wow, I learned a lot here. Thanks for the response. So it looks like for a bike trip, I.C. is the choice of champions. How long should one expect a filter of this sort to last?

Originally Posted by glasswave

You basically have three system types:

Filters: Most often pump, sometimes gravity (slower) and now some electrical or solar powered. For bikers lets stick to low volume systems (pumps).

In the filter group there are three basic types.

I. Pump Filters

A. Filters -- get most all living creatures, viruses excepted. This works in 99.9% of all cases. WIth clear moving water you only need to really worry about is bateria. (msr katadin etc)

B. Filter chemical combo -- Results in clear water with a moderate ammount of chemical treatment and kills viruses.

C. Pump Purifiers -- use charcoal systems to remove all living organisms and also trap the elements of any mixture (not solutions), these take out all kinds of things, even heavy metals (they can turn coke it into soda water) and all viruses. Disadvantage: can´t clean the filter so you sometimes need to carry spare canisters. Definatly the best for total protection (1st need).

II. Chemical treatment -- iodine/chlorine (tablet or liquid) kills all living things including viruses. Pros: cheap Cons: flavors water unhealthy over long term use.

III. UV Light -- kills all living things, done not clean the water. cons: Muddy water stays muddy. No removal of forieng chemicals. Require batteries. Advs: No pumping. Super lightweight (steri pen, Maeridian desins) .

[blown7.3lps]

wont some pump systems say on them how many gallons they can treat before u should replace the filter element?

[Jamie Z]

Originally Posted by Sabre

I'Sure beats the hell out of the purification tablets.

I'm pretty new to back-country camping... or at least inexperienced at it.

The only time I was out beyond a water source, I used iodine tablets with some sort of neutralizing tablets. I couldn't tell the difference between the bottled water I brought with me and water I got from a stream. Color, smell, and taste between the two were exactly the same to me.

For me, the tablets made the most sense. They came in a bottle about the size of my thumb, and for small-volume use, the cost was a no-brainer.

I'm not opposed to filters, but I didn't have a problem with iodine tablets. I couldn't have imagined anything easier.

Jamie

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by longtallsally

Wow, I learned a lot here. Thanks for the response. So it looks like for a bike trip, I.C. is the choice of champions. How long should one expect a filter of this sort to last?

I don´t know what you mean by I.C., but my basic designs filter (charcoal type), using clear water sources (or at least letting it settle) would last for a three month trip to India doing about 3 liters per day. You have little warning when you canister is about to clog so always bring an extra canister.

The other types of pumps (don´t get viruses) are servicable and last many, many years.

The uv light style lasts a life time.

Basically, for international 3rd world travel (months on the road), purifying all your drinking water, a uv light is best (lightest also). Pumpiming every day is a pain. For very dirty sources (ie. blow mine tailing or chemical factories) charcoal is best, but still not 100%. Chemical/filter combo pumps just seem stupid to me. If you are going to use chemicals, why bother to pump?

Back up any system with a chemical treatment system. Cost only a couple of bucks and 3 oz.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by Walterxr650l

With bottled water available at every gas station and convenience store. There is really no need for a filter. But if you want to filter any of the good backpacking filters should do. I use the MSR mini works. I have never used it off the bike. I have carried it a lot. I have only used it backpacking.

IMO, buying bottled water is the states is a joke. If you are at a place with bottled water, then you can also find a tap and fill your own water jug. Bottled water is a total rip off and extremely damaging to the environment.

[longtallsally]

I. Pump Filters
C. Pump Purifiers

It was a quote from you. Thanks again for the info.

Originally Posted by glasswave

I don´t know what you mean by I.C., but my basic designs filter (charcoal type), using clear water sources (or at least letting it settle) would last for a three month trip to India doing about 3 liters per day. You have little warning when you canister is about to clog so always bring an extra canister.

The other types of pumps (don´t get viruses) are servicable and last many, many years.

The uv light style lasts a life time.

Basically, for international 3rd world travel (months on the road), purifying all your drinking water, a uv light is best (lightest also). Pumpiming every day is a pain. For very dirty sources (ie. blow mine tailing or chemical factories) charcoal is best, but still not 100%. Chemical/filter combo pumps just seem stupid to me. If you are going to use chemicals, why bother to pump?

Back up any system with a chemical treatment system. Cost only a couple of bucks and 3 oz.

[yosmitetom]

I recently completed a trip down the Mississippi River. I drank river water the whole way. I bought a Katadyn Pocket Filter and used it for a couple of days. Lota work, constant cleaning due to high silt content of water. I ended up mailin' it home.

You can treat water to make it safe to drink using household bleach, 8 drops/gallon for clear water, 16 drops/gallon cloudy water. Bleach is cheap and available anywhere. Iodine tablets are expensive and hard to find plus they are fragile and will turn to dust after a while on you motorcycle.

Interestingly, most cities/towns along the Mississippi also use river water for the pubic water supply. All they do is remove the mud/silt and add chlorine.

[dlh62c]

I made one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dhznlV08Y0

I just built this system but haven't tried it yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSYWo...eature=related

http://aquamira.com/military: Down side is its only good for about 50 gallons.

If the water came from some open source such as a lake or stream I would treat it first to kill the nasties. While some filters may stop them I can't help but think the little fuckers could be breeding inside the filter.

I'm no means an expert on this shit...but I'm reading this book which has alot of good information: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ght/00070.html

If I could just find the correct plastic bottles I would like to make this waterlite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1erGfGXpGI

daryl

[uberhada]

Originally Posted by glasswave

You basically have three system types:

Filters: Most often pump, sometimes gravity (slower) and now some electrical or solar powered. For bikers lets stick to low volume systems (pumps).

In the filter group there are three basic types.

I. Pump Filters

A. Filters -- get most all living creatures, viruses excepted. This works in 99.9% of all cases. WIth clear moving water you only need to really worry about is bateria. (msr katadin etc)

B. Filter chemical combo -- Results in clear water with a moderate ammount of chemical treatment and kills viruses.

C. Pump Purifiers -- use charcoal systems to remove all living organisms and also trap the elements of any mixture (not solutions), these take out all kinds of things, even heavy metals (they can turn coke it into soda water) and all viruses. Disadvantage: can´t clean the filter so you sometimes need to carry spare canisters. Definatly the best for total protection (1st need).

II. Chemical treatment -- iodine/chlorine (tablet or liquid) kills all living things including viruses. Pros: cheap Cons: flavors water unhealthy over long term use.

III. UV Light -- kills all living things, done not clean the water. cons: Muddy water stays muddy. No removal of forieng chemicals. Require batteries. Advs: No pumping. Super lightweight (steri pen, Maeridian desins) .

I did not know there was another UV product besides steripen, good news to me, I wanted a UV purifier but decided to pass on steriPen for it's reported reliability issues. Also did not know there were negative long-term effects from using the chemical treatments. Intersting information here, thanks for that!

Back up any system with a chemical treatment system. Cost only a couple of bucks and 3 oz

My thoughts too, I am ordering http://giardiaclub.com/aqua-mira.html as a backup.

[glasswave]

The auqua stars had some earlier reliabilty problems, but think now they´ve worked them out. I´ve a seven month and am now finishing a three month trip and going strong.

I like the design better than steripen.

http://www.uvaquastar.com/skins/2008....aspx?elid=102

[Jamie Z]

Originally Posted by glasswave

IMO, buying bottled water is the states is a joke. If you are at a place with bottled water, then you can also find a tap and fill your own water jug. Bottled water is a total rip off and extremely damaging to the environment.

Great catch. Completely true. People complain about the price of gasoline, and then buy bottled water for even more, when water can be had for free.

Originally Posted by yosmitetom

I recently completed a trip down the Mississippi River.

Interestingly, most cities/towns along the Mississippi also use river water for the pubic water supply. All they do is remove the mud/silt and add chlorine.

I'd like to hear more about your River trip.

Memphis has a ground water supply. Good stuff. It's said that it's purer coming out of the ground than it is after they're done "processing."

Jamie