When hiking and camping, you need to stay hydrated. Sure, you can bring along your own water supply from home, but for longer excursions you want to lighten your load, and water is heavy. However, that clear-looking stream could hold hidden dangers. Even water from the campground spigot might not be as pure as you think. What can you do to make sure your drinking water, whatever the source, isn’t dangerous? Here are just a few ways you can stay hydrated safely in the outdoors.
Filters
There are a number of commercial filters available on the market. Water passes through a cartridge filter and removes bacteria and parasites, making it safe to drink. These are a lightweight and modern option for water filtering, stowing easily in your pack until needed. Filters do need periodic replacement, but the overall cost of a filter is low given how many uses you can get out of it. You can use them for hiking, camping, or even international travel. Filtered water is ready to drink right away and the taste will not be affected.
Related article: How to Create a DIY Water Filter
Boiling
The oldest and simplest method of water purification is boiling. There’s no cost other than having a pot or kettle in which to boil the water. The downsides are that water has to be heated in small batches, and you have to pour it into other vessels to cool before it can be consumed. It can be a lengthy process if there are multiple campers in your group, but it is a great option in a pinch if you find yourself out of water on the trail. Boiling also doesn’t affect the taste of the water.
Tablets
Purification tablets are another lightweight and simple option for making your drinking water safe. These tablets use chemicals, such as iodine, to kill bacteria. They work quickly but do tend to affect the taste of the water. As with boiling, water treated with tablets is not immediately drinkable. It has to settle for about 30 minutes. Also, people with thyroid problems and women who are pregnant should not consume iodine.
Remember, it’s not just your drinking water you need to worry about. Any water used for cooking or that will end up in your mouth (as in when brushing your teeth) should be purified. You don’t want the fun of your outdoor adventure ruined by a nasty parasite!
If you’re unable to stay hydrated safely, maybe check out: How to Handle Dehydration in the Wilderness
Featured Image from Bit Cloud/Unsplash
