Sick after drinking filtered river water

[slowworm]

I thought this story might be of interest. It's a shame they don't give many details such as what the infection was and what filters the people used. Anyone know any more details?

Walkers sick after drinking river water on the West Highland Way

Two walkers on the long distance route fell severely ill after drinking from a burn despite using filters.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mrmike]

I thought this story might be of interest. It's a shame they don't give many details such as what the infection was and what filters the people used. Anyone know any more details?

Walkers sick after drinking river water on the West Highland Way

Two walkers on the long distance route fell severely ill after drinking from a burn despite using filters.

www.bbc.co.uk

The article says they were using "straw type" water filters.

 

[stonepark]

That's why it is recommended that you filter and then boil.........

 

[Wayne]

Filter is not purification. Unless it states clearly it’s a water purifier. Any ceramic filter when subject to a shock can fracture enough to allow viruses and bacteria through.

 

[slowworm]

I did see they used straw type filters but when I've looked at filters there was a difference between brands of what they filtered, hence wanting to know what the infection was and what filters were used.

I do boil water we filter but if you always need to boil why are the straw type filters and even the water bottle type sold?

 

[Falstaff]

Marketing and laziness/practicality!

I suppose the alternative to boiling might be the chlorine tabs, metabisulphate or even potasium permanganate ? Boiling say, 3ltrs a day, would use a lot of fuel. (and time)

Don't think it was the case here, but there are also individual's reactions to ingesting some things, irrespective of any bugs, virus etc.

 

[GreyCat]

Ceramic purification filters don't remove viruses. In fact, that's how they used to work out a cultured liquid was a virus not a bacteria causing infection- the viruses passed the ceramic filter.

Proper purification ceramic plus activated carbon will remove most bacteria and chemical/heavy metal residue- provided the filter is maintained and maintained as required. But not viruses. Oh, and proper purifying ceramic gravity filters are SLOW!

Filter, then boil.

GC

 

[Falstaff]

Someone I did a Nepal trip with had a thyroid condition due to using iodine water tablets during an extended (3-week?) trip in the Canadian back country. I've been wary of it ever since, although it's great for skin wounds.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Ceramic purification filters don't remove viruses. In fact, that's how they used to work out a cultured liquid was a virus not a bacteria causing infection- the viruses passed the ceramic filter.

Proper purification ceramic plus activated carbon will remove most bacteria and chemical/heavy metal residue- provided the filter is maintained and maintained as required. But not viruses. Oh, and proper purifying ceramic gravity filters are SLOW!

Filter, then boil.

GC

There are filtration systems that do remove viruses.

Independent Testing Reviews & Validation

Independent Reviews & Validation Pure Hydration products are independently tested against bacteria, viruses and harmful contaminants using internationally recognised standards. Testing conducted using internationally recognised NSF standards and independent laboratory validation procedures...

purehydration.com

Also
MSR Guardian
Grayl GeoPress

 

[Toddy]

There's a reason that worldwide armed forces use chlorine tablets.......and so do water boards.

 

[C_Claycomb]

There's a reason that worldwide armed forces use chlorine tablets.......and so do water boards.

They are cheap! Also simple….but, water companies use filters and flocculants to remove particles and turbidity in order for the chlorine to be effective.

Water companies also use UV. Which is a solution which is also available to backpackers.

 

[Toddy]

Strain through a mill bank bag, or even just a coffee filter, then add the puri-tab thing.

It doesn't taste wonderful, but it works, and if you do boil the water the chlorine pretty much boils off.

In the past people drank small ale....just brewed long enough to start to ferment, 1 or 2% alcohol. That pretty much made the water safe too.

 

[oldtimer]

Haven't iodine tablets been discontinued for some time?