Camping Water Filter And Camping Water Purifier

Even if you are camping in a location with a fresh mountain stream or a clear looking lake, the water still must be purified before it is consumed. This is because even the cleanest water contains bacteria that can be potentially harmful for human beings

You also never know what the wildlife has done to this water over the years and water is an extremely easy place for parasites to live.

A camping water filter can alleviate these concerns in an instant, making them an essential part of any camping trip.

Differences Between A Camping Water Filter And Camping Water Purifier

When purchasing one of these devices, it is extremely important that you know the difference's between camping water purifiers and camping water filters.

A purifier removes bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts from water, while a filter only removes bacteria and protozoan cysts. These viruses that can be found in this water vary, as does the method by which they are removed from the water.

The type of system that you end up with is highly dependent on the level of security that you desire. Camping water filters have proven highly effective in most areas of the United States and Canada, since many of the viruses that are found in water are not prevalent in these areas.

Since water filters are generally less expensive as well, they have become a viable option for frequent backcountry campers in these areas, as well as those who only go camping a couple of times per year.

Those who use a camping water purifier do so because it removes almost any harmful substance from the water. Viruses are too small to be trapped by a water filter, but a camping water purifier uses iodine or an electrostatic charge to kill the virus.

If you are attempting to make a distinction between the type of system that you will need for your next trip, however, there are a few different things that you can look at in order to come to an informed decision.

The first thing to look at is whether there is a good chance of human faeces being in the water. The further you get away from civilization, the lesser chance there is of this occurring. Therefore, you should be able to make an estimated guess of whether or not a water source is being used for sewage. In some cases, however, even a small village can be using a lake or river as a sewage deposit, so you can never be too careful when dealing with this issue.

If there is even a remote chance of there being faecal matter in the water, going with a camping water purifier is definitely a good idea.

Another situation where a camping water purifiers are a good idea is if you are travelling to a less developed part of the world. In North America, you are much more likely to run into bacteria or protozoan cysts than you are to come across a virus, which is why so many people go with a camping water filter. That is not to say that it is impossible to contract a virus in North America, but it is certainly less likely than if you were travelling around in South America or the Middle East.

A final thing to keep in mind regarding a camping water filter is the fact that it is recommended that you treat the water with a chlorine or iodine solution and let it sit at least 15 minutes before drinking it. This will improve your chances of completely cleaning the water and should remove most of the bacteria. With a camping water purifier, all of this is done for you automatically, which makes the entire process that must easier.

The type of water cleansing device that you end up with is completely up to you, but in the end, it usually better to be safe than sorry because you never know when a virus will completely ruin your camping trip.

Some Great Options For Buying Camping Water Filters Or Camping Water Purifiers