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Gear Review:
Water Treatment
Water Treatment
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Katadyn Pocket Filter
Is it possible to drink straight from backcountry streams and never become ill? Yes.
Is it possible to drive down a large city's main boulevard, ignore a few red lights and never have a
fender-bender? Yes.
Is either practice worth the accompanying risks? In my opinion, no.
Here's a brief overview to help clean up the confusion surrounding which type of water-treatment
system is right for you. Free-flowing mountain streams, for all their beauty and clarity, are not always the
fountains of purity we imagine them to be. Backcountry water sources — crystal-clear rivers, lakes and
streams — sometimes harbor microscopic pathogens (disease-causing agents) that are tough to
pronounce, difficult to spell and, for many people, awful to ingest. Giardia lamblia. Cryptosporidium.
Campylobacter jejuni. Hepatitis A. All are members of an invisible fluvial zoo that may be present in
pristine-looking backcountry water.
Is it possible to drink straight from backcountry streams and never become ill? Yes.
Is it possible to drive down a large city's main boulevard, ignore a few red lights and never have a
fender-bender? Yes.
Is either practice worth the accompanying risks? In my opinion, no.
Here's a brief overview to help clean up the confusion surrounding which type of water-treatment
system is right for you. Free-flowing mountain streams, for all their beauty and clarity, are not always the
fountains of purity we imagine them to be. Backcountry water sources — crystal-clear rivers, lakes and
streams — sometimes harbor microscopic pathogens (disease-causing agents) that are tough to
pronounce, difficult to spell and, for many people, awful to ingest. Giardia lamblia. Cryptosporidium.
Campylobacter jejuni. Hepatitis A. All are members of an invisible fluvial zoo that may be present in
pristine-looking backcountry water.
How do they get there? When water
becomes tainted by animal or human feces.
What impact could such microbes have?
They can leave you reeling with diarrhea,
abdominal cramps, nausea, weight loss and
fatigue. How long might these symptoms
last? Between 4 and 6 weeks. Maybe longer.
Ugh. Portable water filters and purifiers both
operate on the same mechanical principle.
Using a hand pump and intake hose, both
slurp up "raw" water from a lake or stream
and force it through an internal element (a
filtering "medium"). This medium traps
suspended elements — from fine sediment
to invisible microorganisms—before
dispensing clean water into a container of
your choice.
becomes tainted by animal or human feces.
What impact could such microbes have?
They can leave you reeling with diarrhea,
abdominal cramps, nausea, weight loss and
fatigue. How long might these symptoms
last? Between 4 and 6 weeks. Maybe longer.
Ugh. Portable water filters and purifiers both
operate on the same mechanical principle.
Using a hand pump and intake hose, both
slurp up "raw" water from a lake or stream
and force it through an internal element (a
filtering "medium"). This medium traps
suspended elements — from fine sediment
to invisible microorganisms—before
dispensing clean water into a container of
your choice.
What's the Difference? Some definitions: Water filter—A
microbiological device that removes bacteria (e.g.,
Campylobacter jejuni) and protozoan cysts (Giardia
lamblia, cryptosporidium) from contaminated water. Water
purifier—A microbiological device that removes bacteria,
protozoan cysts and viruses (e.g., hepatitis A) from
contaminated water. Viruses are infinitesimal organisms
too tiny to be trapped by a filter. Devices identified as
"purifiers" usually cause water to interact with iodine (often
in the form of iodine resins), which can render viruses
inactive. Another purifier uses a positive electrostatic
charge in its filter medium to capture viruses. Viruses: *
may exist in water wherever there is a reasonable chance
of human fecal contamination; * are believed to be less
prevalent in North American wilderness water sources
than protozoan cysts or bacteria, but may be a greater
threat in less developed countries. Over time, filters have
proven that they reliably protect wilderness travelers from
the most common waterborne pathogens found in the
North American backcountry: giardia and cryptosporidium.
Still, purifiers and their antiviral feature offer an elevated
level of security.
microbiological device that removes bacteria (e.g.,
Campylobacter jejuni) and protozoan cysts (Giardia
lamblia, cryptosporidium) from contaminated water. Water
purifier—A microbiological device that removes bacteria,
protozoan cysts and viruses (e.g., hepatitis A) from
contaminated water. Viruses are infinitesimal organisms
too tiny to be trapped by a filter. Devices identified as
"purifiers" usually cause water to interact with iodine (often
in the form of iodine resins), which can render viruses
inactive. Another purifier uses a positive electrostatic
charge in its filter medium to capture viruses. Viruses: *
may exist in water wherever there is a reasonable chance
of human fecal contamination; * are believed to be less
prevalent in North American wilderness water sources
than protozoan cysts or bacteria, but may be a greater
threat in less developed countries. Over time, filters have
proven that they reliably protect wilderness travelers from
the most common waterborne pathogens found in the
North American backcountry: giardia and cryptosporidium.
Still, purifiers and their antiviral feature offer an elevated
level of security.
There are a few basics that I look for in a water filter. The Katadyn is a mechanical, ceramic
micro filter and uses no chemicals (healthier). Filters down to 0.2 microns (will remove all
giardia, fungi, parasites, etc.) Built in pump produces about a quart a minute. Zippered carrying
pouch included. This filter has a few little extras that really make it nice, such as the pre-filter for
extended life of the main filter and the clip for attaching the ouput hose to your water bottle. I love
this filter and even though it is pretty darn expensive I think that it is well worth the money.
Specs:
* Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.
* Dimensions: 10 x 2 inches
* Filter medium: Ceramic micro-strainer
* Removes: Protozoa and bacteria
* Output: 0.86 liters per minute
* Pump force: 16.5 pounds
* Pump strokes per liter: 70
* Field cleanable: Yes
* Filter life: Up to 13,000 galons
* Price: $220
Pros:durable, dependable, lasts a lifetime
Cons: cost
micro filter and uses no chemicals (healthier). Filters down to 0.2 microns (will remove all
giardia, fungi, parasites, etc.) Built in pump produces about a quart a minute. Zippered carrying
pouch included. This filter has a few little extras that really make it nice, such as the pre-filter for
extended life of the main filter and the clip for attaching the ouput hose to your water bottle. I love
this filter and even though it is pretty darn expensive I think that it is well worth the money.
Specs:
* Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.
* Dimensions: 10 x 2 inches
* Filter medium: Ceramic micro-strainer
* Removes: Protozoa and bacteria
* Output: 0.86 liters per minute
* Pump force: 16.5 pounds
* Pump strokes per liter: 70
* Field cleanable: Yes
* Filter life: Up to 13,000 galons
* Price: $220
Pros:durable, dependable, lasts a lifetime
Cons: cost
Katadyn Pocket
Filter
Filter