Water Purification (In a small town)

[Rolo]

No outfitter here in Pawling, NY but need to get something for water purification as I am mailing home my pump filter. Is it possible to just use over the counter iodine and apply a few drops per liter? Any other suggestions? Much appreciated.

[bamboo bob]

That will work but you don't want to do it for too long. If you only use it for surface water and trust the springs you can do a long stretch without a problem.

[Rocket Jones]

Plain ol' bleach will work. I wouldn't want to do it long term (personal feelings, some do). Check the expiration date on the bottle too, bleach does 'expire'.

[swjohnsey]

Household bleach is easier to get, one drop per pint for clear water, two per pint cloudy water. Like Bamboo Bob said, why treat spring water.

[Feral Bill]

This has been discussed before. Bleach does not work on common pathogens (especially protists) found in water. Catch a train into NYC and get Aquamira there. It will be a change of pace from the trail.

[swjohnsey]

Worked for me not only on the AT but also on my voyage down the Mississippi.

[Feral Bill]

Worked for me not only on the AT but also on my voyage down the Mississippi.

Many people have not treating at all work for them. Actual controlled research shows Giardia and crypto are not killed by bleach. If you are not concerned, have a tough gut, or whatever, no problem. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drin...treatment.html

[swjohnsey]

Many people have not treating at all work for them. Actual controlled research shows Giardia and crypto are not killed by bleach. If you are not concerned, have a tough gut, or whatever, no problem. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drin...treatment.html

Interesting, CDC site says bleach is moderately effective. I would guess that Giardia is not a problem which is why everything seems to work.