Emergency Water Filters & Purifiers

It is generally recommended that one gallon of water per person per day is sufficient for disaster preparedness. Depending on who you ask the ideal number of days ranges widely. For example on the low end of the spectrum the U.S. government recommends three days of water. No matter what your opinion on the ideal number of days having alternate methods of purifying water can help avoid going without water. Here are several inexpensive and portable options.

Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Filter – A simple backpacking water filter like this top rated water filter can make a lot of questionable water. It weights 11 ounces, removes protozoa and bacteria down to 0.3 microns in size, including giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidium and others. It takes 48 pumps to pump 1 liter in a minute. It costs about $75.

SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier with Solar Charging Case – Another way to clean water is to use ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light rays this purifier uses can safely sterilize by destroying 99.99% of protozoa (including giardia and cryptosporidium), bacteria and even viruses. This particular unit comes with a solar batter charger and lithium rechargable batteries. It costs about $140.

Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets – 20 Pack – Another way to treat water is with chemicals. Simply drop one tablet into a quart of water and the water will be drinkable within 4 hours. The chemical is Chlorine dioxide and is effective against viruses, bacteria, giardia and cryptosporidium. It is also the same proven method used in many municipal water supplies. These cost about $10 for enough tablets to purify five gallons of water.

There are pros and cons with all methods (filters, ultraviolet, and chemical) of purifying water but clean water is a necessity so trying a few different methods and then selecting the solution that works best for you should be something you do before disaster strikes. Be sure to consider the lifetime of the device and number of gallons per dollar the device can purify. For example ultraviolet devices might seem expensive at first but they will probably outlast the filter units and will most definitely out last a supply of chlorine tablets.