View Full Version : Water filters and their use!
Greetings,
For awhile now while hiking within my home state of PA and around jersey/ny i've never carried a filter or tablets ... I understand for longer periods of time, 2 weeks or more its a good idea .. but i'm curious how many actually use there's all the time, depending on water source, not at all or simply use tablets ...
I just don't think i can hold my luck forever and i'm interested in a microfilter ... this poll will tell me how many use there's vs drinking straight unfiltered water across the entire AT ... everyone will have a different home state/drinking area ...
Some of you gotta be like me and been taking the chance ... anyone gotten sick from it? ... all replies i'd like to hear about ...
Lone Wolf
06-04-2008, 13:59
i've never filtered or treated any water on the AT anywhere
warraghiyagey
06-04-2008, 14:03
Water filters are dumb.:)
It depends...Fast moving stream...NO. Pond...YES. Puddle...Yes. I should add if the stream runs through a cow pasture.....YES.
Appalachian Tater
06-04-2008, 14:48
It depends...Fast moving stream...NO. Pond...YES. Puddle...Yes. I should add if the stream runs through a cow pasture.....YES.This is a good example of why water treatment is necessary and how people misunderstand the need and misjudge risk. Water in the surface layer of a pond is cleaner than that in a moving stream all other things being equal because of UV radiation.
Millions (yes millions) of people die yearly because of contaminated water. If treating water wasn't necessary, municipalities wouldn't bother. Indeed, some, like NYC, don't have to treat all of their water--because they closely monitor it to ensure safety. Unless you have the ability to test the water you are drinking, you should treat it.
NorthCountryWoods
06-04-2008, 14:58
I don't filter. Had a little beaver fever once in CT/MA, but it goes away.
That which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.
This is a good example of why water treatment is necessary and how people misunderstand the need and misjudge risk. Water in the surface layer of a pond is cleaner than that in a moving stream all other things being equal because of UV radiation.
Millions (yes millions) of people die yearly because of contaminated water. If treating water wasn't necessary, municipalities wouldn't bother. Indeed, some, like NYC, don't have to treat all of their water--because they closely monitor it to ensure safety. Unless you have the ability to test the water you are drinking, you should treat it.
This post is why i'm considering the next buy to be a light microfilter next over the jetboil ... Safer than sorry .... and i've drop'd a ton of weight that a filter won't be noticed ... the poll was started to see just how others beyond "yes you must filter" really act on the trail ...
I use a water bottle with a filter in it called the Extreme. I have put water running off the trail in it and it came out clear.
warraghiyagey
06-04-2008, 15:17
Where use?:-?
Bear Cables
06-04-2008, 15:29
I use to pump but now I purify with micropur tablets. I also have a self filtering bottle.
Appalachian Tater
06-04-2008, 15:30
This is still a nice source of background info and intro to the subject:
http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml
No option for UV water treatment in the poll? :(
I sterilize water with a Steripen. For many years I did not treat my water. But I got older and wiser! ;) :p
Actually, if it were not for the Steripen technology, I probably still would not filter. I HATE pumping type filters. They are a pain . . . all of them.
Blissful
06-04-2008, 20:44
I used Aqua Mira throughout the hike, no problems.
4eyedbuzzard
06-04-2008, 21:50
No option for UV water treatment in the poll? :(
I sterilize water with a Steripen. For many years I did not treat my water. But I got older and wiser! ;) :p
Actually, if it were not for the Steripen technology, I probably still would not filter. I HATE pumping type filters. They are a pain . . . all of them.
Ditto :)
yeah, sorry guys ... totally wasn't thinking of the pen as an option ... but hey, its clearly more viable than boiling by poll results so far ... lmao .. with boiling having 0 ...
It depends...Fast moving stream...NO. Pond...YES. Puddle...Yes. I should add if the stream runs through a cow pasture.....YES.
Fast moving water holds more solids in suspension than slow moving water (including giardia and crypto cysts). I filter from the slower pools in a stream, and I always filter. I use less fuel because I only need to heat water to the temp. I need it, not necessarily to a boil (coffee and oatmeal, for instance). The filter weight stays the same, so I concentrate on saving fuel.
I use a filter more often then boiling it (boiling does not improve the taste like a filter does) but I do boil it at times.
River Runner
06-04-2008, 23:38
I use a combination of KlearWater, Katadyn tablets, and boiling. If I am heating water for a meal anyway, it's not much more fuel to bring it to a complete boil. Otherwise, I chemcially treat.
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/WPD/CompareDevices.aspx
I used Aqua Mira previously, but switched to the steripen (not an option?) Also at risk of causing trouble, as Warraghiyagey hinted: it should be "their" as a plural possessive. "There" is somewhere else and "they're" is they are... "The Three Theres" are almost as confusing as the two "Its".
Now I'm totally confused! :D :p
Now I'm totally confused! :D :p
"Water Filters and There Use"...the title of this thread
It's the old English teacher in me...
Three "wheres": where - someplace, wear - to put on something, and ware - something
Three "theres": there - someplace else, their - belonging to them, and they're - they are
Two "its": its - belonging to it, and it's - it is
Anyway, these are some of the most misused words in English, and I spent a great deal of time TRYING to teach the difference to my students....
Yup, the grammer police caught me ..
4eyedbuzzard
06-06-2008, 15:11
Yup, the grammer police caught me ..
The spelin' police wil be next. :D
fiddlehead
06-07-2008, 11:48
What about an option of looking for good water and not filtering? The only no answer says you fear no bacteria. I think many of us would not drink anything but still do not filter.
THis is perhaps one of the problems with filters. FOlks who use them think it's ok to wash out their underwear or whatever in a spring/stream, not thinking about probably 1/3 to 1/2 who look for good water.
NOt even sure why i'm replying to this thread. THis thing has been beaten to death many many times on WB. I even remember once some girl asking if you need to filter your water to wash your clothes. I got a good kick out of that one. Hey filter away! Pur needs your money.
Rockhound
06-07-2008, 12:24
I use a filter more often then boiling it (boiling does not improve the taste like a filter does) but I do boil it at times.
i thought water was supposed to have no taste
SunnyWalker
06-07-2008, 14:51
I use a Sweetwater filter system. I might switch to Aqua Mira, but I do not think so. And I also try to pay attention to personal hygine. I think most beaver fever sicknesses and all are caused by that and not poor water quality. Just my opnion of course.
i've never filtered or treated any water on the AT anywhere
thats becuase he feeds on the blood of less experienced hikers along the way
Lone Wolf
06-07-2008, 16:17
thats becuase he feeds on the blood of less experienced hikers along the way
nah, it's cuz the water on most of the AT doesn't need treating or filtering. paranoia and marketing makes y'all buy them filters and chemicals
I think the reason (may be wrong) those who do not filter is that they weigh the additional weight and PITA of using pump filters against the odds of contracting gastronomical disorders. I was in that camp for many years (33). During the later years of that time I tried a pump filtering solution and found it a PITA.
Then came the Steripen solution, and it is so easy and effortless, I decided that it was worth the additional few ounces and since starting to use it about two years ago, have had zero gastronomical disorders on my hikes. My previous gastronomical disorders were not major, but eliminating the few that I had is worth carrying the Steripen.
Of coursse, HYOH certainly applies and if you do not experience any consequences by not filtering, then it is pointless to impress upon you to start using a solution to a non-problem, as it may well be that your digestive system is more tolerant than mine! ;)
Lone Wolf
06-07-2008, 23:45
I think the reason (may be wrong) those who do not filter is that they weigh the additional weight and PITA of using pump filters against the odds of contracting gastronomical disorders. I was in that camp for many years (33). During the later years of that time I tried a pump filtering solution and found it a PITA.
Then came the Steripen solution, and it is so easy and effortless, I decided that it was worth the additional few ounces and since starting to use it about two years ago, have had zero gastronomical disorders on my hikes. My previous gastronomical disorders were not major, but eliminating the few that I had is worth carrying the Steripen.
Of coursse, HYOH certainly applies and if you do not experience any consequences by not filtering, then it is pointless to impress upon you to start using a solution to a non-problem, as it may well be that your digestive system is more tolerant than mine! ;)
it ain't a weight issue. it's faith. somethin' you claim to know somethin' about?
i thought water was supposed to have no taste
Water does have a taste, it tastes like water. All you have top do to prove this is to put on a blindfold and have someone give you a few different drinks, you will easily tell what drink is water.
But to answer your question, I dont like to taste the other things that may be in the water, the filter removes them. Boiling the water will kill living organisms in the water, but does nothing to remove other impurities.
Be safe be sure filter all water. Don't need marketers to tell me what makes sense.
rcunigan
07-02-2008, 10:24
I have used Kathadin Pur filter since 1999 with no problems until this year. Picked up giardia near Erwin, so I guess my filter has a hole in it. Filtering is not a guarantee.
WATER TREATMENT METHOD
Addresses physical, chemical and, biological treatment for 1/2 pound including drinking container.
Parts:
1 liter soft-sided wide-mouth Nalgene canteen
..2.0 oz
GSI coffee filter with threads to match canteen
.
.1.7oz
6x6 piece of noseeum mosquito netting
..0.1oz
1 oz. charcoal (from Aquarium shop)
1.0oz
Steripen Adventurer (including batt. & case)
.3.6 oz
2 CR123 batteries for Steripen
.
0.0 oz
Chlorine Dioxide tablets (for back-up)
......
0.2 oz
Total Weight (includes drinking container)
.
8.6 oz
At home, sew a small bag from the noseeum netting about 1 cubic inch in size, to put the charcoal in.
In the field, screw the GSI coffee filter onto the wide-mouth canteen.
Place the net bag of charcoal in the filter.
Scoop up water.
Put your hand over the top and swish to increase contact with charcoal.
Remove GSI filter/charcoal.
Squeeze canteen to bring water to top rim of the mouth of the canteen.
Use Steripen Adventurer.
Note 1: if water source is turbid, place folded bandana over opening of the canteen when scooping water.
Note 2: If water source is opaque with tannins, etc. and will not filter out by means above, this method is not appropriate as UV light treatment relies on clear water.
billyboy
07-03-2008, 10:20
i've never filtered or treated any water on the AT anywhere
:-? Get giardia one time, and you will always treat your water :D Go to TRAILJOURNALS and look for "Butterfly Moon" and read about here tale of contacting giardia in the SNP a few days ago.
Darn right I treat my water by some method. For most folks who contact giardia, the Medication to treat it, will even make you feel like the devil.
Homer&Marje
07-13-2008, 19:34
Used an MSR waterworks for 13 years and just bought a new one. Never had a problem. Never intend to, but things happen. Ramen tastes really good with filtered water.
Lone Wolf
07-13-2008, 19:56
:-? Get giardia one time, and you will always treat your water :D Go to TRAILJOURNALS and look for "Butterfly Moon" and read about here tale of contacting giardia in the SNP a few days ago.
how does this butterfly person know for sure giardia was"gotten" in SNP? was it diagnosed? or speculation like most cases of "giardia"
shelterbuilder
07-13-2008, 20:01
i thought water was supposed to have no taste
Actually, if you drink distilled water, it tastes flat, bland. Pouring it between two containers will dissolve a bit of oxygen into it and make it taste better. "Good-tasting" water tastes good because of the dissolved elements that are present in it.
Not being allergic to iodine, I use Polar Pure. The taste of iodine has never bothered me on short trips (less than 2 weeks). However, if I'm drawing water from a spring, I rarely treat it. I tend to make the (irrational) assumption that all surface water is contaminated (and I treat this always), but spring water is not (and rarely treat this).
I've only come down with beaver fever once (in NJ, in 100*+ weather when water was scarce, by drinking scummy water that I normally would not have washed my boots in). That water was very turbid, and I probably didn't wait long enough (or use enough iodine) for the iodine to do a proper job.
shelterbuilder
07-13-2008, 20:06
how does this butterfly person know for sure giardia was"gotten" in SNP? was it diagnosed? or speculation like most cases of "giardia"
LW, I don't know this person, but if they had the explosive diahrrea, the cramps, and extremely foul-smelling gas that I had when I was diagnosed by my GP, then it's a good bet that they had it. BTW, my GP did his diagnosis based on my recent history (drinking dirty water) and the physical symptoms alone. His prescription worked, BTW.
Strategic
07-13-2008, 20:15
I always filter, but I have issues with organisms that most people don't.
That said, I use a modified ULA Amigo gravity filter set-up. It's the old style Amigo with the down-tube filter cartridge. I replaced the cartridge with a Sawyer filter, very nice and light (2oz on my scale), though it is not a purifier. Sawyer makes one, but I have no idea of its weight, so I haven't tried it. I hook the clean end of the filter tube to my platys with a hydration tube fitting and can filter 2.5 liters in about five minutes. The bag can recover water from almost any pool without stirring up silt and is great at catching flows and falls. If you leave the filter and most of the tube in the stuff sack while you fill the bag it's pretty foolproof. My whole set-up; bag-and-filter unit, attachments, stuff sack, a pair of 2 liter platys and the "disposable" 20oz plastic sports bottle I drink from come to just over 10.5oz
By the way, one of the "attachments" I tend to carry is a small plastic sprinkler can head that threads on to the nylon valve under the water bag in place of the filter tube. It makes washing and washing up a breeze (it's easy to carry extra water away in) and feels really good as a shower-off on a hot day (and without getting you into the water yourself and risking contaminating it.) Nothing like a multi-function device.:D
sheepdog
07-13-2008, 20:18
Water filters are dumb.:)
My water filter is very smart. It is working on it's phd.
I think the title of the thread should be, Do you feel lucky punk!...... well, do you
hopefulhiker
07-14-2008, 01:57
I hiked with Butterfly Moon. I am sorry she got Giardia. I used Aqua Mira.. But when the water sources are going dry, I would consider a filter so I could pump the water out of mud puddles if I had too. I think it is always safer to treat but there were lots of times when I drank it straight from the source if it looked like it was clean out of the ground.
Homer&Marje
07-14-2008, 09:57
There is a simple methodology for diagnosing Giardia. "Said Hikers" who don't believe it is Giardia unless it is diagnosed also say things like "watches don't really keep time" and "Those watches don't work because the sun revolves around the Earth" So, with that in mind here's your diagnosis.
1. Left home to go hiking.
2. Drank untreated, unfiltered water.
3. Don't normally do this at home.
4. Bad cramps start followed by foul gas.
5. Explosive and severely crippling diahrea.
6. Don't normally do this at home.
7. Say to your hiking partner, " I have Giardia let's go home".
8. Hiking partner says " Ok ".
And that's how you self diagnose giardia.
trouthunter
07-27-2008, 16:35
MSR sweetwater purification system with Viral Stop.
Only weighs 14 oz. Better safe than sorry.
While it is true that a small amount of bacteria builds your immune system, they can multiply quickly once inside your body. Same is true of viruses, although not as big a threat on the AT.
Recent water samples have found protozoa throughout the Appalachians.
Just because you are not deathly ill, doesn't mean your body isn't working overtime to defend against the bacteria you have been pouring down your throat.
This robs your body of needed energy, and hurts your performance.
And don't forget the bacteria that can grow in your water bottles and containers.
And the mold that can grow in your hydration bladder. Both should be cleaned with a bleach and water solution at regular intervals, same is true of water filters.
minnesotasmith
07-27-2008, 16:43
I prefilter all nontown water with a coffee filter, then treat it with Aqua Mira.
how does this butterfly person know for sure giardia was"gotten" in SNP? was it diagnosed? or speculation like most cases of "giardia"
Yeah, that Bud Special gives me "giardia"
mister krabs
07-28-2008, 10:56
I haven't heard many people talk about treating with bleach, why not?
minnesotasmith
07-28-2008, 17:05
I haven't heard many people talk about treating with bleach, why not?
That's because it's obsolete. Hypochlorite (bleach) is less effective and has about 1000x as much undesirable aftertaste as does chlorine dioxide (ex.: Aqua Mira). Hyp also often does great damage if it spills in your pack. Yeah, hyp is cheaper. So? Work more/waste less so you can afford the good stuff. :)
trouthunter
07-29-2008, 16:56
I would second that.