[at-l] Water filters...

[orangebug74@yahoo.com (Orange Bug)]

--- Mary Cameron <laughingmary@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I'm planning a thru-hike for next spring.  What do people have for
> recommendations regarding water filters?  MSR miniworks vs. MSR
> waterworks II vs. Pur guide filter vs. PUR hiker filter? And if it
> takes replacement filters, what kind of planning did you do there
> (how many extras)?
>

What a wonderful question!

The short skinny - whether you use a filter or not, you still have a
substantial risk of diarrhea from other contamination opportunities.
All filters do a good job of removing bugs down to a certain size, with
the big concern remaining rather large Giardia and Crypto cysts. The
use of iodine also works, with the added benefit of killing viruses -
but takes much longer to remove the cysts. The removal of viruses is
not usually very important in the US and North America - although the
Norwalk virus epidemic among cruise ship vacationers may change that
recommendation.

The chief issue among the filters you mentioned is cost, cost of the
filter replacement, easy of filtering, ease of field repair and
warranty repairs. However, the efficacy of filters, or any other water
treatment, is not well demonstrated regarding real world prevention of
GI events due to fecal oral transmission of bugs among hikers. This is
a product of the lack of sterility and difficulty of sanitation in the
back country. Marketing featuring pictures of defecating fowl and
livestock are still only marketing - not a promise that use of these
products will benefit you.

Choose the filter you like, but have a back up plan - such as a vial of
iodine tabs or Polar Pure - which can also supplement your first aid
kit for means of cleaning wounds and hands. Rarely do you need to bring
a replacement filter until you are near the lifespan of the filter -
conservatively guessed by planning on 2 gallons/8 quarts of water
treated each day and looking at the manufacturer's rating for cartridge
use.

Bill...

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