[at-l] water purification

[ellen at clinic.net (ellen)]

I just drink without treatment or thought the water from springs I find along the high ridges. In farming country and near towns, I just fire up my Zip Stove each evening and boil a quart or two of water for use the next day. Like Orange Bug, I've yet to see evidence that water treatment does much to avoid sickness. Sometimes at shelters before taking time to fire my Zip Stove I'll add a slug of 180 grain alcohol to suspect drinking water. It certainly produces a pleasant drink mixed with a little lemonade powder or Tang. But does the alcohol kill harmful bugs? I don't have a clue. Anyone know what concentration of alcohol kills giardia cysts and how long does it take?

I'm convinced that personal cleanliness and avoiding contact with the food and the hands of other hikers does more to prevent sickness than does water treatment. But I'm pretty careless about these things also -- so far with no serious consequences.

Weary