A camping water filter may make the difference - between good memories versus a trip to the hospital - for you and your friends and
family while taking a hiking trip or going camping. Even when it comes from
a spigot, water at a campground is rarely safe to drink. Bacteria are
constantly present in the water from lakes, rivers and springs, even if it
looks crystal clear. Therefore, the only way to ensure your health will not
be threatened during your trip is to purify the water you and your
companions are going to drink while camping out.
Purification Methods:
Among the several purification methods available to campers, water filtering
is definitely the easiest, most effective one. While boiling can come across
as cheaper, it consumes a lot of fuel and time. Chemical tablets, on the
other side, are very cheap, but their shelf life is very limited (six months),
their use can have unpleasant effects on the taste of water, and their are
ineffective against certain types of protozoa. This is why camping water
filters are becoming increasingly popular. All the newest modes also come
with iodine filters that can kill viruses as well as bacteria, which can be
a real life-saver if you'll soon travel through third world countries or if
you suspect the water you'll be drinking may be contaminated with sewage.
Filter's Purposes
A filter's purpose is to strain out microscopic contaminants depending on
the size of the filter's pores. Filters with a pore-size of one micron or
less will remove protozoa, parasitic eggs and larvae. Those with a pore-size
efficiency smaller that 0.4 microns will completely remove bacteria. Filters
that incorporate chemicals (specifically iodine tablets) to remove viruses
also remove the iodine with a carbon-based process once the filtering
process is done, which makes them the best camping after filters in the
market. As we are talking about your health, we strongly suggest you invest
enough to ensure your filter will tackle common diseases in the area you
will visit. At least, buy a camping water filter that
removes protozoa and
bacteria.
Cost:
The innovation and increasing competition in the handheld filter industry
are making camping water filters lighter, cheaper and increasingly easy to
use. Although the cheapest filters can cost you just $25, most of them are
built to satisfy very basic needs (filtering water that is clear and can be
classified as potable). Filters that provide more protection and with great
durability and versatility will cost you from $50 to $300. So there really
is no excuse for camping without a water filter. Some companies like
Katadyn specialize in hiking and
camping water filters, providing models that weigh
less that 20 ounces and are easy to carry and grasp, besides performing with
great efficiency and durability in the filtering process.
Clean your camping water filter after a camping or kiking trip
