silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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Quote:and - Just because you pull water from a well does not mean that it does not contain pollutants.
Absolutely correct!
That's why we minimized our potential for pollutants in aquifer by carefully selecting where we set up shop in the country-side (hydro-geological research; highly protected area nearly surrounding us up-slope; and establishing at critical proximity to a drinking water/reservoir watershed (the most protected of the protected areas) with no probability of anyone setting up up-slope of us on the mountain. Also important to check for current and past mining activity, arboreal spraying, and access for past/present illegal toxic waste clandestine off-loading. This is obviously beyond the capabilities of the common homesteader to undertake, however we're blessed with the backgrounds to be able to undertake such an analysis before settling on a life-long locale commitment "in the country-side"
....however, all the above doesn't preclude from testing the well water under the most hellacious standards imaginable for exhaustive variety of pathogens/pollutants/metals/compounds several times a year!
Even doing the above doesn't guarantee perfectly sanitized water free of metals/chemical compounds; when your number is up, its up.
*Caveat: I personally treated my drinking water over about a decade while living in Central America, with nary a negative health hick-up to speak of...
Cheers,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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dzzz
US
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Joined: 04/19/2009
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Well, I guess no more backpacking. Who knew the world was so dangerous?
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jimh425
Western WA
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Joined: 06/11/2006
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It's not like you can't carry a stove and pot to boil water.  For camping, I carry water from home or distilled/bottled water. For remote hiking, I carry a filter and pump the water, but you could boil too if you wanted.
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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Chuck and Di
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 09/28/2008
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woodhog wrote:Not sure if this is the right place but figure the TC bunch goes off the beaten path the most..
Has anyone had any experience with this water purifying system:
http://www.steripen.com/
The price looks cheap and not much gear to haul around.
or do you have experience with a different system to get good drinking water from brooks etc.
I have used the Steripen system on a 9 week trip to Central America. We always started with clear water and purified 4 or 5 liters per day for drinking. It takes about a minute per liter. We never got sick, so I'm assuming it works as advertised. It's nice and light, easy to use and carry, but I would not have wanted to try to sterilize much larger quantities. A set of batteries lasted about 2 weeks at this quantity, and they are not cheap (or easy to find in remote areas). Nevertheless, I would highly recommend the Steripen for drinking water if the water is clear to start. You might want to run it through a coffee filter first if there is any doubt.
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Chuck and Di
Ontario, Canada
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rickjo wrote:I couldn't imagine treating the small quantities of water that hiker filters are designed for. I have them but I don't normally use them while close to my TC. I wanted to treat ANY questionable water I put into my freshwater tank, particularly when I camp next to nice looking streams while boondocking. I'm aware that Giardia, etc. are prevalent in these clean looking sources, so I spent some bucks. Here is my my solution for filtering stream or lake water. It outperforms hiker filters in all respects.
I had an extra 12v pump after upgrading my stock flojet. I purchased a 3 filter system consisting of a prefilter for dirt and mud, a carbon filter for taste (or chlorine if present) and a ceramic filter for biological critters. I took a 12v plug and modified it to accept a 120v socket. Now I use a 50' extension cord to get the setup closer to the source. The system will fill a 5 gal bucket in around 2 minutes. I've used it successfully once while boondocking with relatively clean stream water. Peace of mind outcome.
Rick Johnson
That's a nice setup. I assume you are not worried about virus contamination?
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Padlin
W. Ma.
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Joined: 06/15/2006
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If you are really looking for a small backer type like the Steripen, this link may help. Backpacker Reviews
Personally I use an MSR, but that's for canoe camping.
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
04 GMC 1500 4X4, 5.3L
06 Starcraft 18SB
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cant spell
south east nh
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Joined: 12/03/2009
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The system you are looking at uses uv light to make ozone out of some of the o2 in the water.
This is how most major cities have cleaned there water for years. Ozone can kill all of the bugs/germs.IF you have the proper concentration of ozone for the proper amount of time.
Ozone ct value.
To get this you need to know the ozone demand in the water, the ozone light (generator) output (grams per hour)
. If you know the ozone load in the water and generator output you can calculate the CT needed (concentration and time) to kill all of the bugs in the water.
After all of that has been done you will still need to filter out all of the bad chemicals/minerals that ozone can’t remove.
Ozone is a wonderful thing when used properly. Sticking a light in a bottle of water is not properly.
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srschang
Western NY
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Rickjo, how do you clean the filters in between uses? I've always been paranoid that the wet filters sitting in the hot camper for days or weeks between uses would be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Scott
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Davis83
Goldsboro NC
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Joined: 06/26/2010
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Quote:Rickjo, how do you clean the filters in between uses? I've always been paranoid that the wet filters sitting in the hot camper for days or weeks between uses would be a breeding ground for bacteria.
and they can be - thats why when we get water samples, we cannot use any water tap downstream from a filter.
oh and YES! someone mentioned the almighty CT requirement!
I'm not against filters, I use a carbon filter to remove chlorine (my wife can't stand the smell/taste) - but I change the filter on a regular schedule and we only use point of use filters... ie just before the tap - that way the water in the rest of the system maintains a chlorine residual to protect against bacteria.
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rickjo
SW New Mexico
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Joined: 01/20/2007
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srschang wrote:Rickjo, how do you clean the filters in between uses? I've always been paranoid that the wet filters sitting in the hot camper for days or weeks between uses would be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Scott
I disassemble the individual cartridges and dry the containers thoroughly. I dry the cartridges as best as I can (it's normally very dry out here in the west anyway) and reassemble them some time later (hours, hopefully). When I get home I disassemble, clean, and sun dry the entire package.
I'm as careful as I feel I need to be but it certainly doesn't match the paranoia described by some in this thread. In fact, they remind me of folks who won't shake hands, touch doorknobs, or go to movies for fear of acquiring something. Ah well, we each have our own comfort level and I'm happy where I am.
In a related thought, I recently read of a woman who's diarrhea seemed incurable. Finally, one doc decided that her gut critters weren't right and performed a bowel contents "transplant" from her husband. She was better in one day. Seems that far more bacteria are necessary for our survival that the few that humble us. Also, it been proven that kids that grow up around pets (dogs) have far stronger immune systems than kids that grow up in a pet free environment.
Bring on the (good) critters.
Rick
2004 F-350 4WD Crew Cab Dually w/ Airlift air bags, Luverne brush guard, side steps and splash guards.
2007 LanceMax 1181 loaded, wider aftermarket custom mattress (driver's side locker omitted).
"Leave the trail a little better than you found it."
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