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Subject:
Best Water Purifier?
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bemore
Joined: 07/10/07
Outdoorzy Explorer
CanMore, AB
Posts: 10
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Posted: 07/14/07 11:11am |
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Any suggestions on the best water purifier you have used?
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Wade
Joined: 07/23/06
Outdoorzy Original
Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 860
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WildeGeek
Joined: 09/13/07
Outdoorzy Explorer
CA
Posts: 5
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Posted: 10/16/07 12:08pm |
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By far the best, as far as long-term servicability and reliability, has been my classic Katadyn Pocket Filter. I've had it for more than 15 years, and have taken it on over 250 nights-out. With a pore size of 0.2 microns, it'll filter everything biologically active except viruses (but no filter will stop those). That said, at a pound and a half by the time it's in a padded bag with it's maintenance kit, it's pretty heavy, and at over $200, also comparatively expensive.
I interviewed an expert on water quality in the Sierra Nevada backcountry for the WildeBeat #98, titled What's in Sierra Water. One very important thing he said was this:
Quote:
The commercially available treatments area widely variable in what they can do. Even when you use halogens, for instance, many of the bacteria - E.coli- are highly sensitive. Polio virus, which hasn't been found in the Sierra in a long time, is exquisitely sensitive. When you move into areas such as the protozoa, for example giardia or cryptosporidia, they're much more resistant to halogen treatments, and in fact, cryptosporidium is almost entirely resistant. The way around that, these are larger organisms, protozoa, and can be more easily filtered out. And so I think most filters available commercially are effective against the protozoa. One would have to read the fine print to determine how effective against the different sized bacteria they are.
(By "halogens", he means chemical treatments like chlorine or iodine.)
So the conclusion is, there is no best water purifier for every situation, but there might be a best one for the water conditions you'll experience in a particular watershed.
The WildeBeat "The audio journal about getting into the wilderness"
Download the MP3 programs or subscribe to the podcast at... www.wildebeat.net
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endercore
Joined: 02/18/07
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Lexington, KY
Posts: 155
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Posted: 10/16/07 2:43pm |
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that was a great post!
I've had deccent luck with the katadyne hiker pro. And by decent luck I mean i've broken the handle at least 4 times, and clogged filters more times than i can count. Thats what we used when I guided backpacking trips. We put a lot of use on them sure, purifying 30-40 liters a day, but they were always breaking or getting clogged or needing new filters.
I've heard good things about MSR filters, though never used them.
I'm personally a big fan of Iodine drops... or Aqua Mira.
but as the above poster mentioned, it depends on your situation.
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Enoch
Joined: 05/13/08
Outdoorzy Explorer
Berkeley, CA
Posts: 4
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Posted: 05/13/08 9:22pm |
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I use aqua mira but am thinking of getting a regular filter system for situations where water looks really gross. Backpacker mag gave the thumbs up to this one: MSR Hyperflow
This thing is advertised to pump 3 liters per minute!! or a liter every 20 pumps. I'll write a review after I buy it.
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Wade
Joined: 07/23/06
Outdoorzy Original
Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 860
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vikingschick80
Joined: 02/23/08
Outdoorzy Explorer
scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1
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Posted: 05/15/08 12:04am |
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from my reading, almost all filters will reach the pore size of .2 microns. it really just depends what your using is for...
a ceramic filter like the miniworks is easy to clean in the field and lasts about 2000 gallons...filter replacements are about 40.00.
a paper filter may not be as easy to clean, but is generally lighter weight...like the katadyn hiker or hiker pro.
like stated before though, i would be worried about the durability of the pumps on these. same worry would go for the msr sweetwater. i am careful with my gear, but sometimes people aren't, or a heavier weight pump handle might just hold up longer...msr miniworks, or the katadyn vario
the msr hyperflow seems pretty amazing...the only downfall may be the backflush cleaning in the field. although it would be second nature after a few times...if you lose one of those tiny pieces in the process...youre screwed.
i'm buyin the miniworks for my upcoming backpack, luckily i work somewhere i can test gear, or talk to tons of people that use these products!
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endercore
Joined: 02/18/07
Outdoorzy Adventurer
Lexington, KY
Posts: 155
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Posted: 05/15/08 9:39am |
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the hyperflow looks pretty sweet- 3 liters a minute?? that would be so nice!
not sure what you mean by backflush cleaning, though.
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