In my Favorite Things post I had mentioned some water filtration tools I was thinking of purchasing. I have been looking on sportsman store websites for reviews and information as well as blogs and online reviews by outdoorsmen who have actually tried these and similar products out/used them extensively. So, I thought I'd share what I have decided to do for water filtration based on my research. I really want the Katadyn Combi Microfilter, but living where I do, I most likely wouldn't even have any water source to pump out of in an emergency so I can't justify this purchase. FYI, if you are interested in it though, Shelf Reliance sells this for the best price of anyone I've seen in my research.
Personally, I am going to go with a combination of cheaper items that I think will do the same job, with just a little more effort. I think they will work just fine for ensuring my water storage is safe to drink when the time comes.
First of all, I am in love with this cool Frontier Water Filter Straw:
If you find a decent water source, or if you just have a water bottle that is sort of old and questionable, you can drink right out of it through this nifty straw and it will be filtered as you drink. I love it because you can carry it in your pocket and it's so affordable. Much less expensive than a replacement filter for a water purification system.
Next, I think that for purifying larger quantities of water that I'm not hoping to drink right away or if I want to carry some with me on a hike or camp out, this water bottle will do just fine.
You can get it from Shelf Reliance or you can also find a different version of these on at the LDS Online Store. I am also keeping a good stock of Britta filters for my filter pitcher because that seems like it would work just fine as well for times that I don't need to be carrying the water.
My final and favorite item is the Steripen Emergency.
Water filters can only get rid of so much, and if I am going to drink out of a questionable water source, I want to know that all the bacteria, viruses, protozoa, etc. are taken care of. The Steripen uses UV purification. This technology is over 100 years old and is used to help major US cities as well as bottled water producers purify their water. The UV radiation destroys the DNA of microbes so they can't reproduce. And if they can't reproduce they can't make you sick. Sounds good to me! There is also a fancier Steripen Journey, which I looked into. That model has a digital read out to tell you how pure the water is. However, in my research I have learned that the cheaper Emergency model is more reliable as far as potential for product failure goes and does the job just as well since the actual UV technology is the same. Also, the Emergency model takes AA lithium batteries, which are much cheaper and more accessible than the fancy batteries that the Journey model requires. In case you're wondering why I don't just buy this and call it good, it doesn't actually filter the water, so if you want to remove dirt particles and stuff like that you need some sort of filter as well.
If anyone out there has additional ideas I'd love to hear them. If you are interested in buying these from Shelf Reliance, just let me know through the comment section or by email at mythrivehive@gmail.com. Remember, the current party, with the Surprise Host Giveaway is still going on as well. Order by May 5 to qualify for that. If you are interested in a larger order or a group order, contact me as well and I can help you get the party prices as well as the host benefits for your large/group order.
