Water Purification Tablets

Water Purification Tablets

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Home Business Center Inc

If you are backpacking or camping out in the wilderness, you do not want to assume that the water from the nearby stream or lake is safe to drink. You may have brought bottled water on your trip, but do you want to carry a heavy load of water over several days of hiking? Or what if you run out of bottled water? It is best to be prepared with tools for disinfecting water.

Before you purify your water, you want to filter out as much of the sediment as you can. If you have a portable water filter, you can use that. You can also use a clean bandanna as a strainer by pouring water through it into a container. Another technique is to simply let the water sit for a period of time in a pot and let the sediment settle to the bottom.

Once you have cleared debris from your water, you are ready to start the disinfecting process. Here are three ways you can do this.

1. Water Purification Tablets

One way to disinfect water is to purchase water purification tablets and bring them with you. You can get a small bottle for under $10, and the bottle is easy to carry with you. You simply add the tablets to the water you intend to drink and wait 30 minutes before drinking.

Similar to purification tablets, you can get liquid iodine, which you also add to your water before you drink it. This liquid solution kills waterborne pathogens, including Giardia. Iodine generally has a longer shelf life than tablets, but the price is a little higher.

2. Boiling Water

You can boil water before you drink it to ensure that it is safe to drink. You do not have to buy special tablets or liquid, but you will need to bring cooking supplies, take the time to heat the water and let it cool. Make sure that you bring enough fuel and the proper equipment to boiling the amount of water you will need. Covering a pot of water will help it boil faster and use less fuel. If you plan to cook with water from the local water source, you do not need to boil it prior to cooking, as long as it reaches a boil during the cooking process.

3. UV Light Disinfection

Ultraviolet light can disinfect water as well. Only recently have devices come on the market that campers and backpackers can easily use to emit UV light and disinfect drinking water. UV light disinfection is a quick way of purifying water, but they do not work well in all types of water. Make sure you read the product packaging before you make your purchase. Also, these UV light tools usually require batteries, so make sure you have enough on hand to purify the amount of water that you need.

The water disinfection process best for you will depend on the time you want to spend purifying your water and the space available to carry your gear.

For discounted prices and product reviews, see water purification tablets and free camping checklist.

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