Chemical Water Purification System Options for Hikers

The most common chemical water treatments used by hikers and backpackers for drinking water purification are some form of chlorine, iodine, or oxidizing agents. All of these chemical water purification options require time for the chemicals to do their job. As a general rule you should wait at least 20 minutes after adding the chemical treatment - longer for colder water since the chemicals work more slowly in colder temperatures. Remember to loosen the cap on your water container and slosh some of the treated water onto the threads of the cap and bottle to eliminate contaminates that may be trapped there.

Having to wait is probably the biggest drawback to this type of water purification. With a filter of some type you can arrive at a water source, filter, and drink immediately. With chemical water treatment when you arrive at a water source you first have to fill your container, add the treatment, wait 20 or more minutes - then you can drink. But because it is such a light weight solution to the almost universal problem of water purification, even if it is not used as the primary means of water treatment, carrying some form of chemical water purifier as a back up to a filter is a good idea for extra safety. A good item to carry on day hikes too even when you think you're carrying plenty of water just in case you end up staying out longer or get thirstier than you expected.

Chlorine

Probably the least effective, chlorine is somewhat unstable, adds some taste to the water, and leaves behind some chemical residue now associated with a small cancer risk.

Household Liquid Bleach that contains 5.25% sodium hypo chlorite can be used. Do not use scented, color-safe, or bleaches with added cleaners. Add about 3 to 6 drops of bleach per quart of water, mix thoroughly and allow to sit for approximately 20 minutes.

Iodine

More effective than chlorine, but deteriorates when exposed to sunlight, and leaves behind an unpleasant taste, iodine is another option. It may not be suitable for people with certain types of thyroid conditions. The unpleasant taste of iodine can be countered by adding ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to the treated water, but this should only be added after having waited the recommended amount of time for treatment because it neutralizes the effectiveness of the iodine as well as the taste.

There has been some concern about possible adverse effects from using iodine over prolonged periods, but medical studies including one where prisoners used iodine over a period of several years has not proven this to be the case.

Liquid Tincture of Iodine sold in pharmacies is one possible source. Add several drops per quart of water mix thoroughly and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes. More convenient for hikers are iodine tablets sold specifically for water treatment.

Oxidizers

Possibly the fastest acting chemical water purification option, oxidizers adds the least taste, and produce the least undesirable chemical residues, but they also generally more expensive than chlorine or iodine. This is the type of water treatment used by many municipal city water systems.

Hiking & Backpacking
Chemical Water Purification System Products

Aquamira Water Treatment Drops	$14.99
AQUA MIRA WATER TREATMENT:Brought to you by the makers of SEAM GRIP.Treats over 120 quarts of water.Mix 7 drops of the two bottles together, and let sit 5 minutes. Pour contents into 1 quart of water. Process takes approximately 20 minutes.Perfect for use washing fruits and vegetables. Bottle A Active Ingredients: 2% Chlorine Dioxide to Control Bacteria. Bottle B Active Ingredients: 5% food grade phosphoric acid. Each bottle contains 30 mL 1 oz..
Katadyn Micropur Purification 30 Tablets	$13.95
Ultralight Katadyn Micropur tablets provide fresh drinking water anywhere you go.The only disinfection system effective against viruses, bacteria, Giardia and cryptosporidium.Fresh tasting water-no unpleasant taste.Easy-to-use tablets.Meets EPA purification guidelines.Purification method: Chlorine Dioxide tablets.
Aquamira Purification Tablets 24 pack	$13.50
Lightweight but powerful, Aquamira Water Purifier Tablets provide all the benefits of our popular Water Treatment Drops in an easy to use solid format.Each tablet purifies one liter 32oz.of water and is conveniently sealed in an individual child resistant foil pouch.The individual tablet pouches are stored inside our re-sealable storage pouch that eliminates packaging waste and can be packed away almost anywhere.To use, simply drop one tablet into one liter of water and wait the required time.
Polar Pure Polar Pure Water Disinfectant	$12.95
Polar Pure Water Disinfectant uses pure crystallized iodine in a unique delivery system to destroy water-borne pathogens including giardia cysts and micro-organisms viruses that pass through filters.Simply add water to your Polar Pure bottle.Does not deteriorate with extremes in temperature.Has an indefinite shelf life.Is safe and fully effective to use as long as you can see iodine crystals at the bottom of the bottle.One bottle treats up to 2000 quarts of water.Dosage chart is printed on the bottle.Bottle cap is used to measure and decant solution -- no other equipment needed.Small size and light weight makes it convenient for backpacking and travel.Essential for emergency preparedness.
Katadyn Micropur Purification 20 Tablets	$9.95
New! Ultralight Katadyn Micropur tablets provide fresh drinking water anywhere you go.The only disinfection system effective against viruses, bacteria, Giardia and cryptosporidium.Fresh tasting water-no unpleasant taste.Easy-to-use tablets.Meets EPA purification guidelines.Purification method: Chlorine Dioxide tablets.
Potable Aqua Potable Aqua Plus	$9.95
A revolutionary two stage process that makes water bacteriologically safe to drink and taste good.After treating water with Potable Aqua, simply drop 1-2 tablets of the neutralizer into the water and wait 3-5 minutes for clear, great tasting water.It greatly reduces the iodine taste and the discoloration caused by the iodine.Packaged in a 50 count bottle along with a 50 count bottle of Potable Aqua on a blister card.REMINDER: Use Potable Aqua first to make the water safe to drink.The neutralizer will not eliminate harmful bacteria or viruses.
Aquamira Purification Tablets 12 pack	$7.95
Lightweight but powerful, Aquamira Water Purifier Tablets provide all the benefits of our popular Water Treatment Drops in an easy to use solid format.Each tablet purifies one liter 32oz.of water and is conveniently sealed in an individual child resistant foil pouch.The individual tablet pouches are stored inside our re-sealable storage pouch that eliminates packaging waste and can be packed away almost anywhere.To use, simply drop one tablet into one liter of water and wait the required time.
Potable Aqua Potable Aqua Tablets	$5.99
An iodine based tablet that works on all bacteriologically impure water.One bottle contains 50 tablets and will purify 25 to 50 quarts of water, depending on source of water.