Water purification tablets

[Charlene]

I was wanting to get some of these to have on hand and also as a backup for camping. Where might I find them, how much do they cost and what's in them?

[Jimbo]

This is what the military uses. You can get 30 tablets for about 10 dollars:

Currently used by the US Military ( National Stock Number NSN 6850-01-352-6129), 30 tablets per box, eliminates Giardia, bacteria, viruses, removes sediment. Each 600 milligram tablet provides 1.4% available chlorine, and enough flocculating agent for the clarification and disinfection of 1 L (1.10 qts)of water from polluted sources at temperatures of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). At 41 degrees F (5 C) two 600 milligram tablets will provide 2.8% available chlorine for the same purpose. Intended for the clarification and disinfection of polluted/suspended water, to make it bacteriologically safe for drinking. Recommended for use during US military exercises. Can also be used for the general public where municipally treated water is not available or where available water is suspected of being polluted. Chlor-Floc contains a combination of flocculation and coagulation agents which promote rapid formation of sediment in treated water (sediment is easily removed by straining the water through a cloth). After clarification of the water the chlorine released by the active ingredients is then free to kill giardia lamblia cysts, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful micro-organisms which are not removed with the sediment. 30 tablets (treats 8 Gallons). Net Wt. 18 g.

This is the same product used by the U.S. Dept. of Defense, the International Red Cross and OXFAM.

77F (25C) - Add 1 Tablet - Wait 7 Minutes
58F (15C) - Add 1 Tablet - Wait 15 Minutes
50F (10C) - Add 1 Tablet - Wait 15 Minutes
41F (5C) - Add 2 Tablets - Wait 15 Minutes

More info. at campingsurvival.com

[WalkingMan]

I may have to order some of those. I don't like the iodine ones at all. I can barely tolerate the chlorine but the iodine ones are definitely not my cup of tea so to speak. I would rather have to boil it than to use the iodine.

[SmackontheWeb]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

This is what the military uses. You can get 30 tablets for about 10 dollars:

I got some from campingsurvival.com and have used them all summer with no problems. I will filter water through a bandana before using the tablets then filter it again into my drinking/holding containers. If you can let the water 'breathe' for a while before you drink it, the clorine taste will dissapate some.

[northernbushape]

I usually boil my water, but I also have a product called Aquatabs that I picked up the local MEC (similar to Cabelas). I have them more for emergencies. I think I paid around $25 for a pack of 50 and they leave almost no taste in the water. I have used a couple of tabs and they taste fine. Basically a tab for a liter of water, shake it up and let it sit for 30 minutes. I have them split up and stashed amongst my various kits.

I also have iodine tabs as a last resort, but they really do make the water taste weird. They are proven effective though and I can get over the taste in a pinch.

[CFlyer]

I've heard about Aquatabs but have not used it nor any other tablets. I guess I have a good constitution that I only need to boil the water if I'm not sure if the water is safe to drink.

[Michael]

They're not tablets, but I tried out my Aquamira drops this weekend.

It comes in two containers. One is a phosphoric acid activator, and the other is chlorine dioxide. You mix seven drops of each per liter (14 of each for cloudy water) and let them sit in a little cap for five minutes. Then you add them to the water and let them sit for fifteen.

The water I used was very clear already, and I'm not convinced I needed to use purification at all; it's very clean water. But I used it anyhow. Although it smelled slightly of chlorine, it didn't change the taste of the water at all. It was very fresh tasting, better than my tap water.

I have yet to try it with nasty water, so I'm withholding my unconditional support of the stuff. But it seems to work fine with clear water.

[jason]

You know I just read that early settlers used to put a little bit of whiskey in the water bottles they drank from. Those that did had less problems then those that did not. Seems like a waste of whiskey to me though.

[Newanderthal]

I've been using PotableAqua tablets for years and never had a problem.

[CFlyer]

Originally Posted by jason

You know I just read that early settlers used to put a little bit of whiskey in the water bottles they drank from. Those that did had less problems then those that did not. Seems like a waste of whiskey to me though.

I agree with you. Why not just drink the pure whiskey to clean the insides of the stomach. It is an alcohol anyway so it can disinfect the impurities that went inside our body.