Water Purification

I have a SteriPEN it works by using ultraviolet light to kill all the bacteria in the water.
There are a number of different models and plenty of information in the internet it you Google 'SteriPEN'. The model I have cost around $70 plus you need Lithium Ion batteries for another $15 to $20.

I have found what I consider to be a better option which is the LifeStraw which costs around $30 and will safely treat and clear all sorts of water, including muddy water, but not sea water. The straw is good for 1000 litres of water and is very easy to carry. You should Google LifeStraw.

Note that I do not own Google, not am I a major shareholder.

The Lifestraw seems to be just a filter down to 2 microns which would get the lumps out but the Steripen units both filter and purify to stop the nasties like guardia etc being in the water.
Different units for different applications?

Hi Phill,
Have owned a steriPen for many years, use it mainly for hiking. Find it especially useful overseas and when we cannot get good quality drinking water on extended walks. It sterilises up to a litre of water at a time - not by killing the bacteria but by making any bacteria viruses or microbes in the water sterile or unable to reproduce - so when they die - they cause you no harm. This is a common method of treating water used by many authorities overseas.

The unit uses an ultraviolet light which is immersed into any suitably sized water container.(.5 or 1 litre) You choose the desired setting for the volume of water to be treated. Once the unit is activated - The light automatically turns on when immersed in water and turns off after a set period. The unit will flash green if the correct treatment time elapsed. It is best to ensure the water is moving within the container you are sterilising to ensure water furtherest from the UV light is fully sterilised

I find the customer service from the supplier to be excellent. The only issues I have had with one related to repeated operation of the unit in high humidity. The unit operates only when immersed in water (for safety reasons). In humid air, (SE Qld during summer) it may take a while for the sensors to dry out fully so you can reset the unit to sterilise a second litre of water. No problems otherwise.

Personally would not be without one as we do a fair bit of adventuring.
Hope this helps...

I use a B.E.S.T water filter for filling my water tanks.

B.E.S.T

Reaching way back for microbiology info learned for one purpose only!

Bad microbes:

Bacteria
Viruses
Prions
Protozoa
Yeasts

Ah well, googled as well. Who needs a memory if they've got a net connection ;-)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/germs/ID00002

That doesn't cover yeasts but it's poss to get an infection of the throat which is hard to treat.

So in terms of water treatment, the q to ask of any system is what does it cover?

In some cases you'll need two methods.

The SteriPen water purification use a kind of water UV light function to eliminate viruse which will not be eliminate by simple water filter. Which grade of water filter or purification you need, it depends on the water contaminated level. If you are along a heaviliy traveled trail, it is wiser to use high grade water purification.