Rivers, streams, ponds and lakes in the wilderness present opportunities for recreation and drinking. Unfortunately, most outdoor water sources are contaminated with pesticide runoff, pollution, and naturally occurring microscopic organisms that cause varying degrees of illness if ingested. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites lurk in even the cleanest-looking spring water in the great outdoors, making portable filtration equipment essential for nature lovers who want to keep this source of sustenance open while on a trip to the backcountry.
Safety of Wild Waters
Even when a river or lake has been known as safe in the past, drainage can introduce new contaminants at at any time. When sewers, septic tanks, and boat toilets are nearby, levels of bacteria can quickly become dangerous. Even without human sources of contamination, parasites such as giardia may be present. Although wild animals may be able to tolerate drinking directly from these sources without any problems, today’s metropolitan human digestive systems cannot do this safely.
Whenever thirst has to be satisfied from a natural source, it’s best to collect from waters that are moving rather than stagnant. In a stationary part of a lake or pond, heavy contamination by illness-inducing organisms is much more likely. A visual inspection should also be performed; if an abundance of dead plant matter and other debris is floating in the area, it’s not a suitable choice for drinking.
Filtration and Sterilization Options
A number of water filtration devices have been invented in recent years for use in the outdoors. With a series of ultra-fine filters, it’s possible to obtain a safely drinkable product from lakes, rivers or ponds. These filters normally last for a certain number of uses before they stop working, so users should carefully note their usage to avoid becoming ill.
Anyone can still take advantage of natural drinking sources in the outdoors without a modern filtration gadget. First, basic filtration must be performed to remove any larger solids. This can be accomplished by draining the water through a layer of sand inside a cloth bag, t-shirt or sweatshirt. Afterwards, the filtered product should be boiled for 15 minutes unless there is heavy cloudiness still present, in which case it should be boiled for half an hour.
When only recreation, and not drinking, is planned for a natural lake or river in the outdoors, care should be taken to avoid swallowing any water. Even the smallest amount may be enough to cause serious health problems. With the right precautions, recreation and drinking can be enjoyed in the outdoors safely.
Images via DFID – UK Department for International Development, marc_levy_marc_levy, ryochiji
