Water Filters, water source?

[Lark Bunting]

Just to rest my mind, I want to know what I should be looking for when it comes to a water source in the back country. I have a Platypus Gravity works filter. I was camping a couple weeks ago and we had a creek running behind camp. I was going to filter some water mainly for the novelty, but as I came to the creek there were numerous piles of moose crap, in the water. I walked the stream for quite a ways but every 20-40 yards were more and more moose crap, and it was in the creek. Is that safe to filter and drink?!

I ended up not filtering any water since I brought 11 gallons with me to drink with and cook with.

Educate me please!

 

[Ucsdryder]

Don\'t know anything about that filter. I use a sawyer. 18 bucks on Amazon and filters down to .01 microns or something ridiculous. I have no problem drinking out of a toilet with that thing. Only issue is virus but apparently that\'s basically a non issue in the states.

 

[Deertick]

I love my platypus gravity filter. I\'d sure drink out of that moose toilet. (Hell, I\'d probably drink it non-filtered.)

Third-world water, with viral diseases, would make me a little nervous and get me to reading on the Platypus to remind me of the level of filtration, but some moose apples wouldn\'t worry me.

 

[midwest]

Fish poop in it, too. You\'re safe with a good filter.

 

[Zpd307]

Fish poop in it, too. You\'re safe with a good filter.

and everything else

 

[Lark Bunting]

Awesome, good to know!

 

[sn.outdoors]

With proper filtration and treatment, I wouldn\'t worry about the water quality in any mountian stream in North America.

Gravity Works filters are great for a couple reasons. First, they filter dirty water very well. Second, they\'re relatively lightweight and very easy to use. Third, and my favorite reason I use them, they can still disinfect your water through Solar Disinfection, even if the filter is clogged. Most people don\'t know how easy it is to disinfect water.

Here are some links that explain the process and just how effective it is:
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Since we\'re typically purifying mountain stream water, the quality is pretty good and its usually very clear. If it\'s not clear, usually a few passes through a tshirt will get it clear enough. Then all you do is sit the water bag or clear bottle in direct sunlight for at least 6 hrs. That\'ll magically kill the cryptosporidium, giardia, and whatever else may ail you. I used this technique to purify surface water in the middle east. I have not noticed any ill effects. I\'ve also had my students filter and purify water out of an elk wallow just to prove to them they can treat any water source (except those with toxic chemicals of course,) as far as I know, all of my students are still alive today.

I think you don\'t hear about this very often since its not marketable for outdoor equipment companies and all you need is a clear container less then 3 liters.