[at-l] Water filter alternatives

[m_factor@hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

I used Potable Aqua, the iodine tablets, for my entire thruhike.  Over the 
years, I've kind of gotten used to the taste so I don't bother with the 
"neutralizing tablets" (aka ascorbic acid, aka vitamin C) that you can get 
with Potable Aqua Plus.

Like with bleach, you do have to wait to give the tablets time to act.  If 
you are planning on adding any drink mixes, you should also wait to add 
those, too, as they often contain ascorbic acid which would otherwise halt 
the purifying action of the iodine.  If you previously had a drink mix in 
your water container, don't forget to rinse thoroughly before adding the 
tablets.  You don't want leftover stuff neutralizing the iodine before it 
can act.

You might also want to consider Polar Pure, an iodine solution.

There is also a relatively new option called Aqua Mira or Pristine 
(depending on where you find it - they are the same product.)  These 
products make use of chlorine dioxide and involve two chemicals to be mixed 
just prior to adding to the suspect water.  You can find some amazingly 
thorough reviews (both scientific and otherwise) of these products at the 
following site:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/Water%20Treatment/

Find reviews under both the Pristine and AquaMira folders.

Mara
Stitches, GAME99


>From: "Loren D. Mendelsohn" <lmend@ccny.cuny.edu>
>Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 17:25:19 -0500
>
>I'm planning a short (125 mile) section hike this summer and
>I'd appreciate some advice on alternatives to water filters....

_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com