Water Treatment Q&A
Q: Why do I need to treat water in wilderness areas?
A: Regardless of how pure water may look, any water source on the planet could be contaminated with microscopic waterborne pathogens —invisible-disease-causing bugs that could cause all sorts of problems in your tummy. Severe diarrhea, cramps, vomiting and fever are the symptoms. Serious infections can last for weeks.
Recent research, suggests that wild water at higher elevations is cleaner than previously believed. Experts argue that treating backcountry water is often a waste of time and resources. The blame, they suggest, for intestinal infections is more often due to pre-existing conditions and poor sanitation (unwashed hands etc.).
Q: What's in wilderness water that can affect me?
A: Three groups of waterborne critters are most commonly linked to water-related illness:
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Protozoan cysts (Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia). Tiny (1 to 300 microns; 1 micron = one-millionth of a meter).
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Bacteria (Escherichia coli, or E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia entercolitica, Leptospira interrogans and many others). Very tiny (0.1 to 10 microns).
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Viruses (hepatitis A, rotavirus, enterovirus, norovirus, Norwalk virus). Exceptionally tiny (0.005 to 0.1 micron). Viruses are rarely found in North American wilderness waters. Only purifiers (not filters) eliminate viruses.
Q: How do these bugs get into the water?
A: Protozoa (parasites) and viruses are present in surface water contaminated by animal or human waste. Bacteria, including beneficial bacteria, naturally occur in water. Water contaminated by fecal material often results in a population of harmful bacteria such as E. coli.
Q: Are these bugs in ALL backcountry water sources?
A: Some scientists believe, yes. Yet recent studies conducted in California's Sierra Nevada suggest that remote rivers,creeks and springs in less-traveled, high-elevation regions are rarely contaminated.
Q: How can a I know if a water source is tainted?
A: Unless you carry testing materials, it's a roll of the dice. Over time, though, experienced wilderness travelers can learn to make reasonably educated evaluations. Yet even the most experienced outdoor explorer should choose to carry some method of water treatment for the possible situations where a water is under suspicion. We recomend that you always carry some method of water treatment when exploring.
Q: How do I remove or neutralize these waterborne pathogens?
A: The following chart outlines method effectiveness. For details on water treament methods see here.
