A Scout’s Campfire

Water Treatment Options - Revisited

May 2nd, 2007 spryken

Previously, I had posted a series of 5 articles on Water Treatment. Since that time, I have discovered (thanks to Glenn at Scoutmaster Blog) the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine a site where they review commercially available water treatment options. They tested for bacteria, viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium using both mechanical (filtration) and chemical options.

Based on their findings, I need to review and update my recommendations.

First, let’s look at the Chemical options.

The only chemical treatment option that effectively treated all 4 pathogens was the Katadyn Micropur tablets. All of the other chemical options had trouble with Crypto and Giardia. One of the treatment options that I was thinking of getting was the Steripen UV treatment, it rated lowest for all 4 pathogens. The other “new” technology that I was looking at was the MSR MIOX purifier. It did well for bacteria, viruses and Giardia but not Crypto. Based on cost ,ease of use and effectiveness, the Katadyn Micropur tablets get my nod for the recommended chemical treatment option. We used them on our Philmont trek in 2005 and I noticed no chemical taste. Prefiltering is recommended to remove the “floaties”.

Now let’s look at the filters. The only filter tested that equaled the Katadyn Micropur tablets in effectiveness was the MSR Sweetwater Purifier. There were other MSR filters that did not do as well, be sure you look for the Purifier. The MSR Sweetwater Microfilter failed for viruses.

Katadyn had 2 filters that were effective against bacteria, viruses and Giardia and were also acceptable against Crypto: The Exstream Water Bottle and the Exstream XR Water Bottle.

HTI and GenCol had several filters that were acceptable for all 4, see the website for details

From my previous posts, the issue I have with filters is that you have to keep them cleaned and maintained properly in order to get optimal results. Once contaminated on a trek, you have no water treatment options other than boiling unless you carry additional weight and treatment options.

My recommendation:

For price and effectiveness - Katadyn Micropur tablets

Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Gear