Hiking Water Filters and Purifiers—this is not meant to be a how-to-hike information but to highlight some of the benefits a hiker can get from different types of portable water treatment. It is assumed you have acquired the information necessary to prepare you for the challenges in the wilderness trail.
What’s the difference between a purifier and filter?
A water filter is composed of screen with many microscopic holes. Filters with smaller holes tend to remove contaminants better. According to EPA, “when considering filter size, look for an absolute (the largest hole), not a nominal (the average hole), rating. A water purifier is a treatment device capable of removing, killing, or inactivating all types of disease-causing organisms in water.
Sources of Drinking Water Quality Problems
Drinking water problems can come from human activities such as untreated sewage discharge, failed septic tanks, trash and chemical dumping. Highway de-icing - Ice and snow melt contaminated by de-icing chemicals from roads can be washed into nearby water bodies. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), stormwater runoffs from uncontrolled areas of construction activities, fertilizers and pesticides can each contribute to lack of available healthy water for hikers. Contaminants can also enter surface water from naturally occurring microorganisms, radionuclides, heavy metals, and fluoride.
Water quality reasons for a portable water treatment device
You cannot be sure on the type of drinkable water from streams, rivers, lakes, or ponds. EPA reported that 90% of the world's fresh water is not fit to drink. You cannot do without water and you cannot afford to drink from contaminated springs, streams, or lakes. No matter how pristine it looks, the waterbody may be contaminated by human and animal activities from upstream resulting in parasites and bacteria contamination. The fact that water looks pristine and sparkling does not guarantee it is drinkable. Also, dissolved substances which are not visible may contaminate the water surface water.
The Surface Water Treatment Rule applies to surface water under the jurisdiction of a water supply authority. The Rule requires compliance with a treatment technology that can bring the source water to an acceptable level of contaminants in the drinking water. EPA warns that "when you are away from the protection of approved water supplies during periods of traveling, camping, hunting, or fishing, you must take precautions to make sure that available water is safe for consumption."
Bottled water should not even be an option due to the environmental concerns of empty plastic water bottles. Study has shown that some bottled water are not healthy so the best option is the use a portable water treatment device. This is why a water fitler or purifier device is best to carry along to purify water during this adventure. So protect your health where the source of water is doubtful and don't allow the lack of drinkable water cause you to have a bad memory of your hiking experience.
Need for a handheld water filter or purifier
As you know, hiking takes a more energy than just walking and your body requires adequate liquid replenishment. It may take several hours of walking so you will need to carry with you everything you need to survive; this may include carrying bottled water, water filter, or water purifier to obtain clean water. One of the things that could make your hiking fun and pleasant is high quality water. For a short hiking adventure, you may pack bottled water—which could add more loads to your backpack. The weather condition may cause you to quickly exhaust all your bottled water so a portable water filter may be the best choice for healthy drinking water
