The NetLizard

Water Purification Options
Now if you're a lizard, you don't worry about clean drinking water. But for humans, there are three basic ways to make water potable (that means drinkable, not portable):
  1. Filtering. By means of a mechanical pump. This is the quickest way to get drinking water. Compare different kinds to see how fine the filtering is. There is a difference between filtering and purifying type pumps. Filtering strains large particles, while purifying removes or kills virtually everything (like protozoa, bacteria, and impossible-to-strain-'cause-they're-too-small viruses) in the water. Always take along spare parts, or an alternate means of water purifying just in case something breaks. You may choose a pump that does coarse filtering, but also requires that the water be treated chemically or boiled. This works well where your only water source (besides what ya brung with ya) is one of a choice of scummy, muddy water puddles. Make sure that you remove as much of the scum without stirring up sediment before pumping.
  2. Chemical treatment. By means of iodine or chlorine (halazone) tablets. Iodine tablets typically have a longer shelf life than chlorine. Be sure to read all of the instructions before using. Improper use can result in poisoning! The colder the water temperature, the longer the chemicals have to sit before the water is safe to drink. If you just happen to find room to take liquid chlorine, use 1/4 teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Stir well and let it sit covered for 30 minutes. A slight chlorine odor should remain.
  3. Boiling. Make sure you carry along a metal pot for boiling water. Remember that water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes. I boil mine for about 5 minutes just to be safe. However, if you really watch the pot and let it boil for at least a minute once it gets going, all of the little creatures swimming around should be dead. This method does not work well while hiking on the trail since it is time consuming and requires that you carry extra fuel for your stove.

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Water Purification
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