I have one of these Pitman. Tried it out a couple of times with tap water.
I'm told the main uses for it are for when a person is travelling and the water
where they are staying is suspect. I've just used it for treating water out of
the kitchen tap (not much of a test). The only problem that I can see, is that
your ability to process the water is limited to a liter at a time.

It's made for clear water, so pre-filtering is needed if the water has junk in
it. According to the literature, the UV is supposed to kill everything, and I
guess it does. Still would boil as well, just to make sure.


I think this would be the way to go, unless you have an allergy to chlorine or
something like that.

I don't have experience with this system but it looks really interesting for large volume (household) purification.

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/SP180.htm

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/SP190.htm

Great thread. I know that I am thinking about picking up a couple different styles and looking into the "how to" of making my own stationary filter system just in case the need ever arises.

Keep 'em coming.

Anyone tried the Sulis PPD yet?
It caught my eye since it seems works on a typical plastic bottle. I would think it would be good to use along with the usual drops or tabs after a pre-screening with a paper filter to prolong its life.

I have had good luck with this guy from Katadyn. I have mainly used it to pull water from lakes. We have to carry so much water when we go out in to the desert and at about 8 pounds a gallon, the weight adds up. I wish there were more oppotunities for me to purify water out here, but hey it's the desert.

http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-prod...adyn-vario-usa/

the best purifier is a cook pot over a fire. SOLID STATE, SIMPLE, and CHEAP (not filters to go bad or replace).

nuff said1

Except that doesn't help against heavy metal poisoning or pesticides...

Just to mention as I think many forget,
You have a 50 gallon or more supply of water
in the hot water tank.
If water service is disrupted and gets shut off,
you first need to turn the gas off to the hot water tank (or electric)
and then to access the water,use a hose on the bottom
drain valve. Its clean water,maybe a little rich with rust
if you have an antique heater.

I have never had any problems with any water from remote areas that I know of, but I've always used chemical treatment, filter, purifier/filter, SteriPen, or some combination. I boil treated water for food prep purposes instead of water treatment.

SteriPen FAQ
http://www.steripen.com/faq.html

Filters I own, use, and recommend:
MSR WaterWorks EX, MiniWorks EX, and HyperFlow
Katadyn Pocket and Expedition
Katadyn Base Camp and MSR AutoFlow
Katadyn Exstream Virustat bottles/kits

I own and have used others which have either been discontinued or I just don’t use any more.

If prepping water for use at night, I like to use a lightweight “bucket” to let the particulates settle before filtering. I add the chemicals while it is settling.

Before storing or when backflushing on extended trips, I like to treat the “clean” water with chlorine before the backflush.

Coffee filters are excellent prefilters.

You might think I spend excessive time, money, weight, and physical energy to make sure the water I drink is safe, but there are too many unknowns to risk it IMO. Anyway, the time to do this is relatively minor in comparison to some other backcountry activities.

FGW, good reminder.

I need to think about this a little more seriously.

I spent 7 days last year in the backcounty of Yellowstone and the only water I had was from the nearest river. I used two types of water purifiers...both by Katydyn and never had a moment's problem. The water does taste of iodine but it's a very simple system to use.

I think someone has already posted a link to the Katydyn Exstream but we used the Katydyn Base Camp model once we made camp each night as well. I like to carry some sort of flavored drink powder to add to cover the iodine taste but I understand that that may not always be possible.