Water Purification and Camping

In a previous water purification post, I said this: “In the United States it is not safe to drink water in the wilderness without purifying it”, and I provided this reference.

My sweeping statement may not have been exactly accurate. Since then, while doing more research, I came across this REI water purification article that gives a more balanced view.

Let me summarize it. It aligns much better with what I have tended to believe about water purification systems while camping and outdoors in the past.

After all, when I hiked as a teenager, I always drank from Sierra streams with no ill effects. But, then, it must also be known that I am sometimes referred to as the cast-iron-stomach guy.

Water purification camping

Photograph Source: Uwe Hermann

MUCH AGREEMENT AND SOME DISAGREEMENT AMONG RESEARCHERS

Quite a number of medical experts and researchers are now saying that much of the water in the US wilderness is very pure and safe to drink.

You are likely to find such water at high elevations, over 7000 feet, away from campgrounds, pastures and high concentrations of human traffic.

There is variation in thinking among the experts. Most agree that much of the water in the wilderness is drinkable. But, some recommend more caution than others when applying the theories.

Some authorities recommend always purifying your water to be safe. Others insist there are circumstances where the chance of encountering waterborne pathogens is so small that drinking straight from a water source carries very very little risk.

ALWAYS CARRY WATER PURIFICATION EQUIPMENT

Most, if not all, experts agree that it is wise to carry some sort of water treatment equipment in case you’re not sure of your water source.

So, there are two approaches that you can take, depending on your temperament, your health and which set of experts your choose to listen to.

Approach 1 – Always Purify: The first is to always, without exception, purify the water that you drink in the wilderness. After all, even though it is very unlikely that you will die from drinking impure water, getting giardiasis is not a very comfortable experience.

Approach 2 – Sometimes Purify: The second approach is to carefully assess each situation and decided, based on evidence, whether or not to drink the water without treatment.

CRITERIA FOR DRINKING WITHOUT PURIFICATION

If you choose the second approach, the assessment approach, there are ways to evaluate the situation:

1. Determine that you are at a high elevation, above 7000 feet.

2. Make sure you are not near an area of high human activity like a campground or a densely traveled trail.

3. Make sure you are not near a pasture, a corral or some other area where domestic animals are kept. This means that, along the Appalachian Trail, which runs near many campgrounds, pastures and human habitations, it is probably prudent to always purify your water.

4. Be sure that the water is calm and clear. Now, I must admit that this is different from what I was taught. I always thought that rapidly flowing water was safer than calm water.

But here are some reasons that calm water is safer: pathogens like hard-shelled Giardia sink to the bottom of calm water (draw your water from near the surface); calm water contains less silt and sediment; finally, it has been exposed to UV radiation, a slayer of waterborne pathogens.

5. Check to see that the water isn’t stagnant. Stagnant water is always suspicious. Note: you cannot judge the biological purity of water by simply assessing its appearance.

6. Make sure there hasn’t been a recent heavy rain. Such a rain could wash a lot of junk into streams and lakes.

7. Assess your own health. If you have a weak or compromised immune system, it is best to always drink filtered or chemically treated water.

WASH YOUR HANDS – LIKE YOUR MAMA TOLD YOU TO!

Wash your hands. According to the REI article on water purity, the most common method of picking up nasty germs and microbes is not washing your hands properly. This is true in the cities and also true in the wilderness. So take along some soap and/or hand sanitizer and use them often. Make sure you wash your hands well away from sources of drinking water.

For your own safety and for the safety of others, perform these functions at least 200 feet from water sources: urinating, defecating, handwashing, bathing and cooking.

SUMMARY

So, while hiking or backpacking in the wilderness, you be the judge whether to always purify your water or to take a well-informed assessment approach and enjoying some of the best tasting water on the planet.

Just be safe and don’t forget to wash or sanitize your hands. Practice good hygiene for your own health and for that of other hikers and backpackers.

By considering water purification techniques for camping and outdoors, you’ve taken an important step towards keeping yourself safe in the great outdoors.

by Richard Davidian, Ph.D.

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