Water Purification: Stay Healthy and Hydrated on Your Next Back Country Trip

MSR Ceramic Filter

Kettle

Life Straw Paper Based Filter

Paper Based Filter System

UV Light Purification System

Chemical Water Purification

Access to Clean Drinking Water is Essential:

Going on a multi-day hike or paddling trip gives us the unique opportunity to disconnect from daily life and immerse ourselves in nature. But survival in the wilderness hinges on one critical factor: access to clean drinking water. Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening, and drinking untreated water can expose us to harmful pathogens.

Understanding Water Sources:

Natural water sources such as rivers, lakes, streams, and springs may appear clean, but they can harbour harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which can cause serious illness. Therefore, purifying water before consumption is essential.

Methods of Water Filtrations & Purification:

There are several methods to ensure your water source is suitable for consumption, each with its own list of pros and cons.

1. Boiling:

   • Boiling your water each evening for the next day.

     • Pros:

       • Effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa;

       • Requires no additional equipment, beyond the stove you are likely already carrying;

       • Does not alter taste.

     • Cons:

       • Time-consuming;

       • Requires fuel;

       • Inconvenient;

       • Need to carry enough water to make it to your next camping site.

   
   

2. Traditional Filtration:

   • Ceramic Filters: See below link for an example of a filter system utilizing a ceramic filter.

     https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5044-433/msr-guardian-portable-water-purifier?colour=NO_COLOUR

   • Paper Filter: See below link for examples of filter systems utilizing paper-based filter.

     https://www.mec.ca/en/products/camping-and-hiking/camping-kitchen-and-hydration/water-filters-and-treatment/water-filters/inline-and-filter-water-bottles

     • Ceramic vs Paper:

       • Ceramic is heavier, but filter out more odour and tastes than a paper-based filter.

       • Ceramic filters tend to have a slower draw/filter rate that paper-based filter.

     • Pros (all filters):

       • Effective at killing bacteria and protozoa;

       • Can filter large volumes;

       • Does not alter water taste;

       • Lots of variety on the market to choose from including personal use and gravity bags for filtering larger volumes.

     • Cons (all filters):

       • Does not remove viruses;

       • Filters can clog requiring back flushing,

       • Can be bulky and add weight to your pack.

   
   

3. Chemical Treatment:

   See below link for an example of chemical treatment tabs.

   https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5035-754/pristine-water-purification-tabs-85mg

   • Pros:

     • Lightweight and easy to pack;

     • Kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa;

     • Minimal effort required.

   • Cons:

     • Takes time to work (must wait before you can drink);

     • Can leave an unpleasant taste;

     • Some maybe allergic to them;

     • Ineffective against particulates.

   
   

4. UV Light Purification:

   See below link for examples of UV light purification systems.

   https://www.mec.ca/en/search?q=uv%20water%20filters

   • Pros:

     • Fast and effective;

     • Kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

   • Cons:

     • Requires batteries or power;

     • Can be expensive;

     • Less effective in cloudy water;

     • Does not remove particulates.

       
       

Planning Your Water Needs:

Proper planning is essential to ensure you have enough clean drinking water throughout your hike/paddle. Research your route to identify reliable water sources along the route before you commence your trip. When packing, ensure you have enough water carrying capacity to meet your needs based on the distances between reliable water sources.

Aim to drink about half a liter of water per hour during moderate activity. In hot or dry conditions, or at high altitudes, increase your intake.

Trail reviews can be a great resource when you are planning your back country hiking trip. See the link below to Step it Up Adventure's Bruce Peninsula Trail Review, a great example of a trail review that can help with planning for your water needs on a multi-day hike.

https://www.stepitupadventures.ca/post/bruce-peninsula-trail-review

TIP: Have redundancy into your water purification abilities:

A few years ago I lost a rubber washer from my MSR Mini Works water filter, which left me with no ability to filter water. I now carry chemical treatment tabs as well, they are small, light weight and an effect back up water purification method.

Conclusion:

Ensuring access to clean drinking water is one of the most important aspects of planning a successful hiking or paddling trip. With a little preparation, you can remain hydrated and healthy making for safe and enjoyable back country adventure.