Water Filtration

A portable water purifier can come in handy many times, including the aftermath of a natural disaster or while camping. There is, however something that you need to keep in mind when considering having fresh, clean drinking water and that is there is a difference between filtered water and purified water. All filtered water may not be safe for human consumption and even when using a portable water purifier the water can still hold floating contaminants that can alter the appearance and taste of the water.

No matter the reason or the amount of water required, there will be a portable water purifier to meet your needs. From small units that fit into the top of a water bottle to much larger ones, big enough to supply purified water to hundreds of people in a short period, a portable water purifier can turn some of the worst types of water into potable water for drinking and cooking. Although purified water is usually safe for drinking, unless many of the floating particles in the water have been removed, it may not taste or smell very good.

In order to be safe a purification unit is necessary, even though filtering will remove many of the smallest particulate matter, including metals and some bacteria. Even a portable water purifier can kill all the bacteria and germs living in the water to prevent them from causing disease when ingested.

On The Camping Trail Portable Units Handy

Having a portable water purifier, especially for campers, allows them to have a continuous supply of clean water while on the trail without having to carry large amounts of water with them. Before passing the dirty water through a portable water purifier to completely clean it of dirt, smell and bacteria, first run the water through portable water filters to remove any sediment.

There are different methods of purifying water, including the use of chlorine and iodine, but these chemicals often leave an unpleasant odor in the water and despite it being safe to drink, water from a chemical portable water purifier may not be acceptable to some users. Ultraviolet purifiers use the power of the sun to create heat to kill bacteria and some others use an electrical charge to kill any living things in the water. Using membrane filters small enough to capture bacteria are also popular types of portable water purifiers, but require pressure to force the water through the filter.

There are also in recent years a few disaster use water filters that can provide pure, safe water without the use of power or high pressure. These filters are a favorite with RV and boat owners, as well. Just make sure that no matter which filter you go with you don’t trade quality for cost, especially if it’s to be used in an emergency. 

An Ezine Article

When you consume water, there are minerals and bacteria that can be harmful to your body in the long term (or even short term), which can be avoided by using a simple water filter. Many people have taken to using a water filter in their homes, but few realize there are portable water filters for taking on camping trips, easily transferring for offices, or other scenarios including disasters.

Many people often have trouble deciding which type of water filter is the best, and they are often told to buy the one that is most affordable. There are, however, other things to consider such as the particular application for which the water filter is to be used, as well as who will be using it that will also influence the choice of a water filter.

Some Portable Water Filters Last a Few Days, Others Can Last Years

In the case of the portable water filter, as opposed to a permanently attached water filter, there are two main categories: emergency-use portable water filters, and those that are used for survival purposes. The emergency situation requires using a portable water filter for a short term before normalcy returns (typically within 72 hours). The survival situation is a long term condition that may last for anywhere between a few months to a couple years.

You can choose between many different models of portable water filters, though Katadyn and LivingWaters are the most well-known. Katadyn is used by the Red Cross, Peace Corps, the United Nations and the World Health Organization. On the other hand, LivingWaters RV and disaster relief products are relatively inexpensive and mostly designed to be used by campers and other outdoor enthusiasts, although they are also excellent for use when folks find themselves in dire straits following an emergency situation.

The Katadyn Pocket Filter is probably the best available that does not allow harmful bacteria in your body and it eliminates harmful microorganisms. Though this model of portable water filter is pretty expensive, it still does an effective job.

LivingWaters, an innovative company, makes high-quality, economical portable water filters, and it tries to set high standards for water filters and purifiers. It can totally purify disease-ridden waterborne bacteria from the water, and helps in guarding against cryptosporidium bacteria as well as giardia…all without the use of electricity.

The full flow RV and Disaster Relief water filter system from LivingWaters is a relatively inexpensive system that has good filtering capabilities, and is great for short term emergencies and regular outdoor usage.

An Ezine Article

ACCORDING TO THE EPA IN AN EMERGENCY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU USE ONLY WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK OR FOR BRUSHING TEETH.

1. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
2. If you don’t have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
3. If you can’t boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
4. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.
5. Use of a water filtration system should only be considered if the unit filters the water by a process known as reverse osmosis and only after you have either boiled or treated the water with bleach as previously mentioned.

(U.S. federal agencies and the Red Cross recommend these steps to disinfect drinking water in an emergency. For more important details about disinfection, visit www.epa.gov.

A water filter specifically designed for use in emergencies and natural disasters will soon be available to the masses.
The filter, called NEERI-ZAR and developed by researchers Subhash Andey, Prakash Kalker and Madan Nanoti, differs from conventional designs. It consists of two plastic containers placed at differing elevations to manage the flow of water coming through. The top container stores raw water with an oxidizing chemical mixed in, such as potassium permanganate. Filtration is performed when water seeps in to the lower container, which consists of a sand filter and a fixture.

The filtered water then falls into a third container, which disinfects it. The water is then ready for consumption.With NEERI-ZAR, up to 100 liters of water can be treated and made ready for drinking in eight hours’ time. The disaster-use water filter’s designers say this makes it ideal for having in a natural disaster, especially when aid isn’t readily available. It can also function without electricity, and is entirely operated by gravity.