How to Treat Water in the Backcountry – Foundry Outdoors

How to Treat Water in the Backcountry

One of the most essential things to think about when planning a backcountry excursion is your method of water treatment for drinking and cooking water. Taking the risk of contracting a waterborne illness from an untreated source can quickly ruin a trip, or worse. The symptoms of waterborne illnesses often include diarrhea and vomiting, which can bring you to a dangerous state of dehydration quickly. The good news is, you don’t have to! There are hundreds of different water treatment products available that will fit your needs.

Filter or Purification Device?

              The two main categories of water treatment options are filters and purification devices. Filters use a membrane designed to physically remove debris and larger organisms from the water. Filters will remove bacteria and protozoan organisms, which in North America cause the majority of waterborne illnesses.

              Purification devices, on the other hand, can remove disease-causing viruses from your water source. If you are traveling outside of North America, it would benefit you to use a purification device because you may encounter water sources containing viruses like norovirus or hepatitis A.

Different Kinds of Water Treatment Devices

  • Pump filter

My personal favorite kind of water filter is a pump filter. The model that I use has two hoses: an input hose that goes into your water source of choice, and an output hose, which goes from the filter directly to your water container. Mine even has a stopper made to fit the mouth of a Nalgene bottle, which I use for hiking.

Pump filters allow you to choose the volume of water you need, whether topping off a Nalgene at a creek crossing or filling everyone’s bottles at camp in the morning. Pump filters force water through a filter membrane and deliver it to your bottle sans-bacteria and protozoans.

  • Gravity filter

A gravity filter also removes bacteria and protozoans from your water. A gravity filter works by hanging a full bag of untreated water from a high spot where gravity pulls the water through a filter into your receptacle. It takes longer than a pump filter and you can’t be as specific about your desired volume of water. A gravity filter is a good choice for a group of people or for all your water needs at a campsite where a large volume of filtered water is needed.

  • Straw filter

A straw filter is a filter that you drink directly from. It attaches to a squeeze bag or other receptacle for untreated water, and the water is cleaned as it is sucked from the bag through the straw into your mouth. This is a quick and convenient way to drink filtered water, but it is difficult to use this water for anything other than drinking, such as cooking or washing.

  • UV purifier

A UV purifier uses the ultraviolet waves from a battery-powered light to modify the DNA of pathogens, rendering them unable to reproduce. Make sure to bring along extra batteries. Also keep in mind that the UV purifier does not remove dirt or debris particles from your water, so you will want to have a method of doing that. Not only will your water be free from dirt, but the UV light is not as effective as a purification method when pathogens can be shielded by debris in the water.

  • Chemical treatments

Chemical treatments like iodine tablets or chlorine dioxide tablets are a super easy, lightweight option for purifying water. I would recommend choosing a chlorine dioxide tablet over iodine because iodine does not kill Cryptosporidium, a protozoan species. You also run into the same need to remove dirt and debris from chemically treated water as you do with the UV light method. While a lot of people don’t love the taste of chemically treated water, these tablets are extremely lightweight and convenient for travel in the backcountry.

  • Boiling water

The old trusty system of water purification, boiling water, is another excellent option for treating water! You will need a fuel source and pot for boiling, such as a JetBoil or camp stove or similar. Water needs to boil for one to three minutes depending on your elevation. Consider how much fuel you may need for your water boiling needs and pack it.

              While any of these methods work great for treating most water you will encounter in the backcountry, there are a few additional considerations. Pay attention to the amount of wear and tear your filter has undergone. Most filters have a lifespan for their effectiveness.

              Also, try to use water from a clean-looking source in the first place. Flowing water is usually better than stagnant, and getting water from the surface will have fewer particles than sediment-laden water on the bottom of a stream. Avoid clear point pollution sources such as carcasses, animal manure, etc.  There are options for everyone when it comes to water treatment, so stay healthy and enjoy extended time outdoors!



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