Water quality @ Well 12 on the C.S.R.

Oh it hurts to read this, but I guess everyone to his or her own, so long as they get Outback. People taking 'good' water all the way from Perth sometimes....

Having hitched the CSR twice, 2010 and 2011, I relied on the Well water as my main source. When in doubt I did boil for a minimum of six minutes, but otherwise I found the water excellent, even when it was a different colour. My stomach is very sensitive and I experienced no upsets.

Gaynor you say each to their own, " I relied on the Well water as my main source." Thats up to you but why would you risk been sick or poisoned , as I said its not like you can nip off to the docs in 5 mins.

Hi Desray

I did meet people on the CSR who were wary of things they were not familiar with .... water that they had not bought from a store in a plastic bottle or filled up from a tap.

So many times I was told I could not drink CRS Well water only to find it crystal clear and refreshingly free of city chemicals. If there are signs of a dead animal busy rotting in it, with an oily scum on the surface and a smell, I will pass if I have an alternative, of course. This only happened twice to me in two years.

Why would I risk drinking water in the middle of the desert?
- Because it is often the cleanest water on earth.
- Carrying water for more than two days walking is incredibly difficult.
- Carrying water for 1-3 months walking is impossible.
- Boiling water, as you suggested, is quick and easy, if in doubt
- I love nature. I am used to drinking from it, therefore not as wary as some.

Risk assessment is part of Outback travel. We assess to our personal levels and travel within that envelope. That is why you will never get sick from drinking CSR water. Because you would never try it.

It is why I never got sick in two years. Because, when assessing each Well water, if in doubt, I boiled it...or walked two days to water I knew was clean.

I also carried a comprehensive medical kit which contained treatments for such situations. Traveling alone, I was prepared for self medication if I made a mistake. So far, risk assessment has been good.

Each to his of her own.