quote:Tablets, for the most part, are to be used as a last source alternative (not all that safe for ones body) and filtration should be your main source for water. Tablets in an emergency is what a survival class will tell you.
I would like to see the data showing that tablets/drops are not safe, and that filtration should be the main source. Most municipalities chlorinate water supplies.
In fact, our province still recommends the "four drops/litre" bleach method for water purification when water advisories are given.
-------------------- Less anger, more troubleshooting... Posts: 243 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Sep 2008
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http://www.glacier-national-park-travel-guide.com/katadyn-micropur-purification-tablets.html There are thousands of threads on the tablets, I have never seen anyone suggest using them as your main source for water, here is a thread mentioning water PH and temperature and tablet use http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml Do what you want, it's just my opinion and what I was taught. Clorine in municiple water supplies is monitored and tested, there is no testing after you drop a tablet into a container and wait 4 hours to drink it. Filtered water can be consumed immediately. Just trying to help out here.
Posts: 1152 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Mar 2009
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I have the Katadyn hiker and it works well. A word of caution: Be careful when removing the hose from the plastic outlet barb. I broke mine off on the first day of a 3 day backpacking trip but fortunately had iodine for an emergency back up. They have excellent customer service and replaced the damaged body of the unit very quickly free of charge.
Posts: 79 | From: East Waterford, PA | Registered: Oct 2007
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I use the steripen adventure and the tablets worked well for me last year so I will be using them again
Posts: 417 | From: Audobon Pa | Registered: Aug 2008
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Sweet-water for me, going on 20 years now. Pumps a lot of water in a short amount of time. Cleans easy. The only thing I don't like is the weight. But the trade off is a good one in my mind.
Posts: 24 | From: CO | Registered: Mar 2012
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I worked in water treatment for years inspecting municipal systems and pretty much do what is required for them. I filter (there are many good ones) and then add a couple drops of bleach (unscented of course, 2 drops per quart). I personally would never use the steripen or tablets alone.
-------------------- Colorado Traditional Archers Society Colorado Bowhunters Association Nebraska Bowhunters Association Grand Mesa Bowman Pope and Young Club TGMM Family of the Bow Posts: 1788 | From: Western Colorado | Registered: Oct 2005
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quote: Do what you want, it's just my opinion and what I was taught. Clorine in municiple water supplies is monitored and tested, there is no testing after you drop a tablet into a container and wait 4 hours to drink it. Filtered water can be consumed immediately. Just trying to help out here.
Rich, i was that annoying kid at the back of the class going "why?" and "why not?" all of the time. The curse of curiosity. When i hear a statment given as a fact, i always wonder the source. Clarifiying it as your opinion helps.
The new generation of water purification tabs take 1/2 hour to potability, and are not iodine based (no risk to thyroid).
My friend and his family used the tablets extensively in West Africa when they lived there for a year (he is an MD), and he was the one who pointed them out to me upon his return.
-------------------- Less anger, more troubleshooting... Posts: 243 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Sep 2008
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I camp next to creeks and boil much of the water I drink. I boil a lot in camp at night for my food, coffee, etc., and fill my canteen as well. Use iodine tablets when I have to pull water from a stream/seep to drink.
Posts: 5854 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Feb 2004
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I too worked in the water purification business for 37 years before retiring. There are several acceptable methods for making water potable.
Ultra-filtration works (especially reverse osmosis) as does Ultra-Violet disinfection and chemical disinfection.
The most common problem in the mountain west would probably be parasites (chrypto, giardia, etc.). While UV will not necessarily kill 100% of all parasites, it will render them unable to reproduce... effectively preventing illness from ingestion.
Most potable water plants (with either underground sources OR surface water sources) use "all of the above" methods.
Bottom line for me? I've used both the PUR filtering system (now Katadyn) AND tetraglycine hydroperiodide tablets. Coleman is one retailer of such tablets. They also sell a follow up treatment tablet that is basically ascorbic acid which neutralizes (removes the residual treatment chemical) the taste and smell of the disinfectant.
I prefer the tablets as I have more confidence in the chemical reaction than a physical filter.
In the streams I have used as a water supply, parasites are my only concern. I also add tang or gatorade powdered drink mix as I like the added flavor anyway.
Whichever method you use should suffice.
-------------------- 64" Toelke Whip 54@28 1 John 3:1 Posts: 769 | From: Rockport West Virginia | Registered: Jan 2009
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Good info here and an opportunity to research down to a procedure in which one has confidence. Thanks, all. We still carry much of our water and seldom go out for 3days without 50 gallons in the truck.
-------------------- goodness of woodness, Semper Fidelis. Molon labe Posts: 2025 | From: Nevada | Registered: Feb 2004
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