Portable water purifiers or refillable water bottle filters of different kind are gaining increasing popularity

Portable water purifiers or refillable water bottle filters of different kinds are gaining increasing popularity due to the fear of unknown contaminants in water supplies. As we all know, water is very critical to human health. Around the globe, thousands of people are getting sick and hospitalized due to bacterial contamination in their drinking water. According to a Newsweek magazine article, it is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and nearly 6,000 people die each day of water borne diseases.

To alleviate possible health concerns, you can choose from different types of available portable water purifiers:

Water Cooler/Dispenser
Some portable water purifiers are designed as water bottles with dispensers that are suitable for offices, schools, and other institutions. The filtering media is fitted into the dispenser allowing contaminants to be removed prior to water consumption. The filter will have an inlet open to the bottle containing water to be filtered; the outlet opens to the dispenser. Water is filtered as users press a dispenser that is also equipped to refrigerate the filtered water. Filter life in this type of portable water filter will depend on the number of bottles dispensed.

Pump type
Pump connected to a filter with one tube being inserted in the contaminated water body and the second tube inserted into a container. The contaminated water is then drawn through filter media to the container. This type of pump may be suitable only for a group of hikers or campers due to the bulkiness and the added weight of the pump. It may require more than one person to operate.

Some portable water filters are designed similar to traditional plastic water bottles with removable caps and drinking straws protruding through the bottle caps. The difference between these two is that the straw in the water bottle filter include filtration media to purify contaminated water prior to drinking. Most designs come with mechanical filters at both ends of the straw, an activated carbon filter in the middle to remove contaminant odors and tastes. Contact time is critical in the effectiveness of a filter; this is how long contaminated water interacts with the filtering elements. The longer the contact time the more effective a filtration system will remove contaminants.

Ultraviolet (UV) water purifier
UV disinfection systems are typically used to purify water in a large water treatment plant. This is usually the final stage following a water filter in order obtain potable water prior to distribution. The UV water purifier system is installed in a flow-through chamber which may require electrical power source to pump the contaminated water pass through the UV lamp. In some cases, an ultraviolet disinfection is used as the last stage in a home water purifier.

For hiking, traveling, or outdoor enthusiasts, a portable UV water filter or water purifier may be just what is needed to treat contaminated water in those environments where the water quality is not known. This is especially important for anyone that intends to travel to foreign countries with known water quality problems. This will ensure that you consistently obtain safe and healthy drinking water.

One advantage of a portable UV water purifier over a portable water filter is that a water purifier with UV light will not leave a potentially harmful residual chlorine or iodine.

Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter Water Filter

The Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter Water Filter is the backpackers' favorite high-output microfilter. The removable filter protector extends cartridge life in challenging conditions. Very compact and lightweight with AntiClog pleated cartridge requires no maintenance which makes this Outdoor market's number-one-selling microfilter and also allows direct attachment to 1/4 drink tube of hydration packs - makes filling your hydration pack quick and easy! Other Features: Filter: Glass fibre with carbon core Gravity Flow: No Flow Rate: 1L per min Protection: bacteria, protozoa (including crypto and giardia), and particulate Height: 6.5 Weight: 11.0oz Field Maintenance: No Warranty: Lifetime Replaceable filter life: 198.13 gallons/ 750 liters Use: Backpacking, river trips, travel and hiking


Straws
Some of the filters look like straws – with built-in water filters – so that users can suck the water through these filters. One can scoop water into a glass or a jug and suck from it, or suck directly from the streams, ponds, or springs.

LifeStraw: About nine inches long tube. Inside are layers of fine mesh filters for blocking; iodine beads to kill any remaining bacteria, and activated carbon to remove taste and odor of the disinfectant. Iodine can leave an unpleasant taste if not removed Laboratory result of a tap water posted on the lifestraw.com website shows that iodine is substantially removed. It also claims to be effective against typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea which are very prevalent in poor countries, and can last up to year before replacement. This device is currently available in most underdeveloped countries but not yet in the United States.

Istraw: Is also lightweight with a special membrane which uses micro-filtration technology to purify contaminated water. The manufacture claims it’s effective against water borne bacteria and protozoa. The device does not use iodine so there is no need to be concerned about any residual iodine in the purified water.

The main consideration before selecting any portable water purifier is to look at the label if it has been tested and certified by NSF International Standard 53 or NSF Standard 58. Other countries may have different third party certification protocols.

More on portable water purifier needs
Drinking flavored bottled water and other beverages are no substitute for water. Natural water has its own unique place in our body that cannot be replaced by any other liquid. We need water to truly quench our thirsts.

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