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Clack Water Softener Review: Is It Worth Buying?

ABCwaters Clack Water Softener

It’s probably safe to say that most of us don’t appreciate how much we depend on having regular access to clean water. Of course we need it to drink, but it’s also crucial to our showers and toilets, dishwashers and washing machines, and everything from mopping the floors to watering the lawn. It’s also crucial for a lot of industries and commercial businesses. Hard water doesn’t perform the way we need it to, and water softeners are the answer to this problem. The Clack water softener valve makes your softener, and your water, work better for you.

[amazon box=”B00D56BE0G,B004N8ADBQ,B005YEOY9U,B000G6ZGV6,” template=”table”]

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is fresh water with lots of minerals in it; particularly calcium and magnesium. Hard water gets that way from absorbing these minerals in the aquifers it drains into after it falls as rain. Hard water can be a nightmare to deal with. It’s not unhealthy or dangerous, but it will cost you money, whether you need softened water for your home, commercial building, or industrial use.

What’s the Problem with Hard Water?

stream

Image via Pixabay 

Hard water is tough on appliances. The minerals in the water can gum up the works in a dishwasher, hot water heater, washing machine, or anything else that needs water, shortening the useful life of every machine that uses it.

Hard water also builds up in faucets and pipes. Water flow becomes restricted over time, making everything less efficient. You’ll need to replace all these pipes and fixtures more often if you have hard water.

Hard water also makes cleaning a pain. Anything you try to clean, wash, rinse, or wipe down with hard water never seems to come clean as it should. And hard water can make it impossible to use local water for industrial applications.

​The Solution

Having a water softener can protect you from all this. However, it may not always be necessary to have a water softener running day in and day out. In that case, having a metered valve like the Clack water softener valve allows you to get the most efficient use possible out of your softener, saving water and salt while still getting the softened water you need.

​​Replacing a Water Softener Valve

If you’ve just gotten a Clark water softener valve, here are the basic steps involved in replacing your old valve:

  • Shut off all water
  • Disconnect the old valve start with power, then brine tubing, then drain hose, and finally in and out water lines
  • Unscrew the old valve
  • Remove the distributer tube from the resin tank
  • Put a new distributer tube into the resin tank so it is touching the bottom
  • Glue the new tube and wait for it to dry
  • Twist your new tube into place on your new valve
  • Screw the new valve onto the resin tank
  • Attach a bypass yoke pipe
  • Reconnect water lines, then drain line, then brine line, then power
  • Turn the water on
  • Start up the valve
  • Set the valve to the correct date and time
  • Allow the system to regenerate for 10 to 15 minutes

What Is a Clack Water Softener?

Clack water softeners are a series of controls and valves that come in different units suitable for controlling water softeners in any type of application. You can get them small enough for an apartment or single family residence all the way up to sizes large enough for commercial buildings or even industrial applications.

Product Specs

[amazon fields=”B079VND4PS” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image=”1″]

Clack water softener meters let you automate control over water flow, calculate how much water you’re using, and run regeneration cycles so you can avoid wasting water and the salt used to soften your water.

Most models have self-diagnostic displays, which takes the guesswork out of troubleshooting if things aren’t working the way you want. Water softeners fitted with Clack water softener valves tend to use a lot less salt than other models. Once you’ve been softening your water for a while, the Clack “look ahead” feature helps you estimate how much salt you’ll need going forward and whether there are patterns to your usage that you can plan for in advance.

Finally, the Clack water softener valve has a backup power supply that keeps it running for two hours if the power goes out. It can retain the memory of your settings for several weeks even without power.

Pricing

Prices for water filtration systems are going to vary depending on how much you need or want to filter at once. You’ll pay anything from $200 to a couple thousand, depending on what volume of water you need to be able to soften. Most residential valves will run between $300 and $700.

How It Compares

In addition to the Clack water softener, we’ve taken a look at four other popular valve units:

  • Fleck 5600 Metered Water Softener
  • Fleck 9100sxt Digital Control Valve
  • 762 Logix Electronic Control Meter
  • Hankscraft Digital Metered Softener Valve

[amazon link=”B00D56BE0G ” title=”Clack Water Softener” /]

[amazon box=”B00D56BE0G”]

Ease of Use

Using the Clack water softener valve is nearly effortless. Once you automate it, the valve will regulate each filtration and softening cycle and can be set with nine different injector sizes with varying draw rates. This should manage nearly any filtration/softening job you need done.

Assembly Time

The Clack water softener valve is quite easy to install if you’re even just a bit handy. It’s also simple to repair, and finding replacement parts is not difficult.

Efficiency

The Clack water softener is one of the most efficient on the market; it uses less salt and wastes less water than nearly anything else you can get.

Warranty

You get a 5-year warranty on all Clack softener and filter controls. This covers material and workmanship under normal use. This warranty is fine, but you can get better with other units.

Pros

  • Very efficient
  • Easy to control
  • Ideal for regulating your filter use
  • Programmable

Cons

  • Can be hard to find replacement parts
  • Expensive

[amazon link=”B004N8ADBQ ” title=”Fleck 5600 Metered” /]

[amazon box=”B004N8ADBQ”]

Fleck is another big name in the water softener valve world. They have been around a long time and have earned their reputation for dependable quality. This unit can handle 48,000 grains, has a flow rate of 12 GPM, and weighs just under 100 pounds. The LCD display has two days of backup power, and you can choose from four different operational modes or continuous flow.

Ease of Use

This is as easy to use as anything you could buy. Once it is fitted to your system, it’s not something you need to think about. There’s very little maintenance required, and what is required is simple to do.

Assembly Time

This one is fairly easy to do by yourself. With a bit of skill, you should be able to do it in two hours or less. It has its own bypass valve, which saves you at least one expense in installation.

Efficiency

This is one of the most efficient systems on the market for a medium sized household or smaller business operation.

Warranty

Fleck offers a 10-year warranty on their tanks and a 5-year warranty on their control heads, which is one of the best offers you’ll get in the industry.

Pros

  • Quality materials
  • Easy to install and program
  • Durable

Cons

  • Bit bulky and heavy
  • Must constantly replace salt pellets

[amazon link=”B005YEOY9U ” title=”Fleck 9100sxt” /]

[amazon box=”B005YEOY9U”]

This is a Fleck unit that will work for larger water volumes and is made to run night and day, if necessary. The advanced micro-processor in the control valve has a 48-hour backup power supply in case you lose power. This one can be a bit more complicated to program than some other units, and for best results in programming it, you’ll need to know the precise details of what’s in your water.

Ease of Use

Once it’s up and running, this is easy to use; but programming takes some time and knowledge that you might not have. You’ll also need to keep on top of when to rinse and refresh it.

Assembly Time

On the one hand, installation isn’t really hard for the generally handy person. You don’t need specialized plumbing knowledge to do it. On the other hand, you’ll need to get some extra parts in order to finish installation, which is a bit of a pain.

Efficiency

You’ll get plenty of use out of this machine, and it can handle between 10 and 25 gallons per minute with very little waste.

Warranty

Fleck offers a 10-year warranty on their tanks and a 5-year warranty on their control heads, which is one of the best offers you’ll get in the industry.

Pros

  • Durable
  • High-capacity
  • Easy to program
  • Regenerates as needed

Cons

  • Very heavy
  • May need extra parts for installation

[amazon link=”B000G6ZGV6 ” title=”762 Logix Electronic” /]

[amazon box=”B000G6ZGV6″]

This meter comes with a distributer, bypass adaptor, distributor piping, an elbow joint, and a barb elbow to make installation easy. It can be used both indoors or outdoors, and the single motor means you don’t need solenoids to run it.

This one has a rather unique design with no dynamic seals. That means there’s very little that can wear out and start leaking. You can adjust it to run five or eight cycles, and it features excellent precision sensors so you can know exactly what’s going on and plan for the future.

Ease of Use

Many people love their Autotrol because it’s fairly easy to use: but most of all because it’s easy to fix. It has more moving parts than the Fleck, which means things can go wrong. But it also is a lot simpler and cheaper to repair.

Assembly Time

The Autotrol are pretty standard and easy to install.

Efficiency

Autotrol does the job, but with more moving parts it’s more likely to give you a problem at some point than some of the other brands we’ve considered.

Warranty

You get just a one-year warranty against defects under normal use with this product.

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • High capacity flow
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Very heavy
  • Short warranty
  • More moving parts than some

[amazon link=”B018A39EIW” title=”Fleck 5600″ /]

[amazon box=”B018A39EIW”]

Hankscraft’s design offers metered demand control and programmable cycle times. It will default to the typical industry standards, but you can easily program any and every detail to get the performance you want from it.

This unit is lighter than other units with comparable flow rates and is exceptionally easy to program. It has auto reset, a 72-hour battery backup, and a special quick disconnect drain. It is highly energy efficient.

Ease of Use

This is a very simple design that offers complete control over your softener and every setting. The controls are intuitive but will also give you excellent performance even if you don’t adjust them.

Assembly Time

This is a simple set to install, and since the company has been around a while it’s pretty easy to find replacement parts.

Efficiency

This unit doesn’t work quite as efficiently as some of the others. It doesn’t have the same sensors as the Fleck or Clack that ensure you’re never wasting water or salt.

Warranty

You get a 5-year warranty on this unit and all its parts.

Pros

  • Very inexpensive
  • Programmable
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to find parts

Cons

  • Not as efficient as others
  • Less durable than some

Conclusion

For a long time, Fleck and Autotrol have been considered the industry leaders when it comes to water softener valve meters. Clack is the new kid on the block; but there are some good reasons to prefer it.

In many ways, the Clack water softener valve has the best of all the others. It has few moving parts, is cheap to repair, and is extremely reliable. In comparison with all the other valves on our list, we give the Clack 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Featured image from Amazon

Is Flavored Water Good For You? Here Is What To Know

A man drinking bottled water on a sunny beach

Health experts often encourage us to drink ample amounts of water because of its amazing health benefits. However, some people are ambivalent to drink plain water because of its bland taste. Therefore, for these individuals, flavored water seems like a more appealing alternative. Flavored water is any bottled mineral, spring, or purified water containing fruit, spice, or herbal flavors. Is flavored water good for you? We wanted to find out, so we conducted our own research and here is what we know.

The Importance Of Water

A scoop water on a person's hand

image source: pexels.com

Water helps us to regulate the body’s temperature, and it is vital for proper circulation of nutrients within the body. When dehydration occurs, fatigue, low energy, and sleepiness set in.

Is Flavored Water Good For You?

The standard bottle of flavored water contains water, 13 grams of sugar, natural or artificial sweeteners, and flavorings. This means consumers are drinking water saturated with lots of sugar. Individuals suffering from kidney disease may find these types of water to be harmful to their health.

Functional water is also a form of flavored water with ingredients such as botanicals, vitamins, minerals, and oxygen added to it. If flavored water is sodium-free and sweetened with artificial sweeteners, it will have fewer calories. It may be a better beverage option for children regarding weight management. Although soda has mostly water content, it contains far more sugar than flavored water.

An important negative aspect of flavored water is the fact that it causes tooth erosion and dissolves tooth enamel. To avoid dental issues, dentists recommend consuming beverages quickly, avoiding direct contact with teeth. Or, brushing teeth right after having flavored drinks to deter loss of enamel. Drinking flavored water chilled and with a straw eases the possibility of damage to teeth.

Most water manufacturers sweeten flavored waters with some form of sugar. Whether it is high fructose, corn syrup, cane sugar, agave syrup, or artificial sweeteners, the sugar content renders flavored water without nutritional value. It is still better to drink than soda which causes morbid obesity. Even waters with zero calories have artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame.

The best type of flavored water to look for are those with zero calories, zero sugar, zero sweeteners, zero preservatives, no artificial flavors, colors, or dyes. Is flavored water good for you when it has zero calories, zero sugar, and zero sweeteners? Absolutely, these are the flavored waters you do not mind exchanging for regular water.

The Truth About Flavored Water

A pouring water from bottle to a glass

image source: pixabay.com

There has been so much conflicting information concerning flavored water that we seriously pondered and researched the question, “Is flavored water good for you?” According to the Food and Drug Administration, they consider flavored water to be soft drinks. The sugar alternatives in these beverages such as saccharin, manitol, sorbitol, lacticol, and xylitol make these waters dangerous. The sugar substitutes cause health issues like gastric distress and yeast overgrowth in the body.

Clinical research has determined that flavored water has the potential to create serious side effects in individuals suffering from mood disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder. Some other side effects caused from drinking flavored waters regularly are vision problems, chronic fatigue, insomnia, stomach cramps, hives, convulsions and seizures.

What Are The Benefits Of Flavored Water For The Body?

How is flavored water good for anyone when there is sufficient research confirming the dangers of drinking them frequently? Flavored water promotes weight loss because it has fewer calories. It is a good way to get children and adults interested in consuming more water. It tastes better than regular water, decreases food cravings, flushes toxins from the body, enhances the appearance of the skin and complexion, fights infection, and prevents heart disease and arthritis. Flavored water is diabetes-friendly.

Ingredients In Flavored Water

Flavored water contains potassium, phosphorous, sodium, caffeine, fructose, electrolytes and small traces of vitamins.

What’s The Difference Between Flavored Water And Sparkling Water?

Compared to flavored water, sparkling waters are made with carbonated water or seltzer. They have greater quantities of sodium, which in the long run may not be good for health.

Is Sugar-Free Flavored Water And Flavored Water The Same?

Sugar-free water contains aspartame and the preservative sodium benzoate. Aspartame is also sweeter than sugar but has fewer calories. There are some flavored waters which have sugar alternatives but there are a few that have none, nor do they have preservatives.

Plain Water vs. Flavored Water

It is safe to consume water daily since plain water has no calories or artificial sweeteners. Most flavored waters have artificial sweeteners and sugar, making them a health hazard for everyday consumption. Plain water makes the body feel full and hydrated which is beneficial for losing weight. Flavored water makes the body crave sugar which leads to unhealthy food choices. Plain water quenches the thirst while flavored water does not satiate the body, nor does it ease thirstiness. Flavored water with sugar is only an occasional beverage alternative.

Where flavored water has negative side effects, plain water does not. Is flavored water good for you and is it a good substitute for plain water? The answer is yes as long as you consume it in moderation.

Infused Water vs. Flavored Water

Infused water is a beverage which has no sugar and is free from chemicals and preservatives. It is made by adding water to fruits, vegetables, herbs, or spices. It is then put in the refrigerator to chill for several hours or overnight before consuming.

How Is Weight Loss Achieved By Drinking Flavored Water?

How is flavored water good for you regarding weight loss? The flavored water makes it possible to lose weight when dieters switch out their 150-calorie bottles or cans of soda for flavored bottles of 5-calorie or no-calorie water.

Healthy Brands Of Flavored Water

A man holding a bottled water in a store

image source: flickr.com

Here are some of the flavored water brands we highly recommend:

  • Cascade Ice Organic Sparkling Flavored Water – it has zero calories, zero grams of sugar, no sweeteners, zero carbs, is sodium-free, and gluten-free
  • Viva Fruit Flavored Sparkling Water – it has zero sugar and zero calories, and includes vitamins and antioxidants
  • Core Water – it has 5 calories per serving, less than 1 gram of sugar, is gluten-free, kosher, vegan and loaded with antioxidants
  • Verday Chlorophyll Water – it includes wheatgrass, arugula, and spinach; it has zero calories, is non-GMO, has no artificial sweeteners and no artificial colors
  • Hint Flavored Water – it also has zero calories, zero sugar, zero sweeteners, zero preservatives, and no artificial flavors

Is flavored water good for you when the brand is organic? Yes, because it usually means there are no harsh chemicals, sugar substitutes, or preservatives.

What Are The Harmful Effects Of Sugar Substitutes In Flavored Water?

Is flavored water good for you even though it contains sugar substitutes? Sugar substitutes in flavored water cause migraines, memory loss, dizziness, cancer, hypothyroidism, breathing problems, lung problems, toxic liver, toxic kidneys, diarrhea, eczema, bloating, nerve damage, nausea, phobias, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, birth defects, depression, irritability, and decreased vision. Because of these pressing health ailments, one should only consume sugar substitutes once in a blue moon.

How To Make Your Own Flavored Water

It is by far healthier and more economical to make your own flavored water. Adding herbs, vegetables, and fruits such as cherries, raspberries, mango, lemon, lime, mint, sliced cucumbers, jalapenos, ginger, vanilla extract, and pineapple is a perfect way to make flavored waters more nutritious. There are certain herbs, that when added to water, give it healing properties. For instance, cinnamon bark lowers LDL (bad cholesterol levels), and improves motor functions within the body.

Basil water is beneficial to people with diabetes, arthritis and asthma. It lowers blood sugar and relieves sinus congestion. Vanilla extract in water soothes nausea and calms anxiety and stress. Lemon water detoxifies, sage water creates feelings of calm and serenity, and cucumber water reduces cancer risk and heart disease and is very hydrating. Orange water is immune-boosting while mint is soothing. Is flavored water good for you when used with natural fruits, herbs, and spices? Yes, because it has natural sugars instead of artificial sweeteners. Is flavored water good for you when it is homemade? Yes, because the ingredients are more natural.

Summary

A person drinking a bottled water

image source: pixabay.com

In conclusion, flavored waters are part of the beverage marketing trends to make water more palatable to generate more revenue. Therefore, creating and planning these waters to appeal to beauty afficionados, the fitness-conscious, and the health-obsessed makes monetary sense. These waters are expensive since they have become fashion statements or confirmation of healthy living and affluent lifestyles.

The fact of the matter is, compared to pure water, their weight loss benefits are marginal and they are seldom beneficial towards health goals. Those who are health-conscious should continue to drink their daily allowance of water remembering they are also fulfilling their hydration quota by considering other beverages such as water from food, teas, coffee, and fruit juices to suffice their water intake.

For years they told us 8 glasses of water per day would keep us healthy, alert, and bright. Yet, there are so many drawbacks to drinking too much water. For instance, too much water consumption can lead to low sodium levels, a condition called hyponatremia which is fatal. An over-hydrated body may experience confusion, water intoxication, brain fog, stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, and organ failure.

For satisfying thirst, allow your body to be your guide. The new recommended daily allowance for water consumption is 15 cups and this includes the water we consume from fruits, vegetables, and other drinks besides water.

Whether one consumes plain water, flavored water, sugar-free water or sparkling water, the goal should always be to drink more of which is better for our health. According to our findings nothing is better than pure water. Although health concerns may be our focus, occasionally it makes meal times more interesting when we change our water intake to include other drinks such as flavored waters and seltzers. Have we solved the question “Is Flavored water good for you?” It is good to not be too concerned about caloric intake and stay mindful not to overindulge.

The Search for the Best Water Filter Pitchers of 2019

Best Water Filter Pitcher

Finding the best water filter pitcher can be difficult because there are so many, and the features can be confusing and hard to compare. We rank and review 10 of the top water filter pitchers of 2018 to enable the consumer to make an informed decision when purchasing one for the home.

Product FAQs

  1. What are water filter pitchers?

Water filter pitchers strain water through a reservoir containing a charcoal filter to remove impurities. Sometimes they are known as “pour-through pitchers.”  They usually hold anywhere from 6 cups to a gallon of water and are best for home use.

  1. How does a water filter pitcher work?

Water filter pitchers use a filter to remove chemicals and contaminants. The process by which it does this is known as adsorption. The use of activated charcoal is good for removing chlorine and some other impurities but cannot remove lead or fluoride. The charcoal can’t make hard water softer, remove microbes or heavy metals, so some pitchers use other means of adsorption. This is a partial list of things that most water filter pitchers will remove, depending on the type and how often the filter is changed:

  • Chlorine
  • Zinc
  • Nominal Particulates
  • Hydrogen Sulfide
  • Cysts
  • Turbidity
  • Trace pharmaceuticals
  1.  Why use a water filter pitcher?

A water filter pitcher is a great option for those looking to remove chemicals and contaminants that are easily removed by charcoal and other filters. Having the water tested before choosing a water filtration system is wise to ensure the best option is chosen. Other options include reverse osmosis and other types of whole house filtration systems.

  1. Where can a good water filter pitcher be purchased?

Good water filter pitchers can be found online at stores such as Amazon. Some Target stores carry them as well as Walmart.

  1. How do these chemicals get into our water?

Tap water is generally safe to drink. Municipal water treatment plants add chlorine and other chemicals to river, lake and underground aquifer water to remove harmful bacteria and viruses that might be in it to make it safe for human consumption.

How We Reviewed

We based our reviews on customer comments, features available and price.

Top Ten Water Filter Pitchers

[amazon link=”B011M7AQPS” title=”Invigorated Water pH RESTORE Alkaline 3.5L Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B011M7AQPS”]

The Invigorated Water pH RESTORE Water Filter Pitcher produces alkaline water, which is supposed to be better for a person’s health by raising the body’s pH. The benefits of alkalinity aside, this is a great pitcher, producing 264 gallons of water per one filter.

Pros

  • The pitcher is comfortable and has a slim outline, perfect for fitting in an overcrowded fridge.
  • It produces alkaline water which has a health benefit.
  • The package includes two filters, each lasting three months.
  • The filter actually puts minerals back into the water such as selenium, calcium and

Cons

  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase with a 100% satisfaction money back guarantee during that period.

[amazon link=”B078QBSH53″ title=”ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B078QBSH53″]

The ZeroWater Water Filter Pitcher is our number two pick for several reasons. It uses a deionization process, which removes heavy metals, unlike standard charcoal filters alone. The taste is crisp, clear and fresh. In fact, some users that are familiar with the taste of the chemicals in their water found it unusual because it removes flavors associated with the chemicals as well.

Pros

  • It’s a comfortable and sturdy pitcher with two pouring options (one from the top and one from the bottom for pouring while it is filtering).
  • There is a paid recycling program for returning filters through ZeroWater.

Cons

  • It is slow to fill, probably one of the slower filters at 1 minute 50 seconds per cup of water.
  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase.

[amazon link=”B016LLLXJS” title=”Aquagear 8 cup Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B016LLLXJS”]

The Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher does an amazing 150 gallons per filter and boasts of being able to remove the most fluoride, which most filters simply can’t get out very well.

Pros

  • One of the most effective at removing 90% of fluoride which can usually only be done previously with reverse osmosis or a whole house system.
  • The filters on this system are also recyclable and able to be sent back to the manufacturer using preprinted labels.
  • This filter leaves good minerals such as calcium, magnesium and selenium in the water.

Cons

  • This pitcher is also very slow to fill.
  • It doesn’t have any notice as to when to change filters, which can be frustrating.
  • warranty

It holds a lifetime warranty, and a user can request a new one for a break, chip or crack.

[amazon link=”B06XJ4XLCQ” title=”PUR LED 11 Cup Water Filtration Pitcher System” /]

[amazon box=”B06XJ4XLCQ”]

This filtered pitcher rids the water of 22 contaminants over 1-2 months of use, filtering 40 gallons on one filter. It’s BPA-free, and both the filter and pitcher are recyclable.

Pros

  • The pitcher is very good at removing pharmaceuticals and many contaminants, which many pitchers are not.
  • It has a very efficient filtration system.

Cons

  • It has very slow filtration, and again, is one of the slowest.
  • The pitcher leaves fluoride in the water, which is something many people want to filter
  • warranty

90-day warranty.

[amazon link=”B01CGT22VM” title=”Seychelle Pitcher Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B01CGT22VM”]

The Seychelle Pitcher uses two filters making it much faster at filtering than a pitcher with just one filter. It removes 99.99% of usual contaminants, making it one of the most effective filters around.

Pros

  • The filters work incredibly fast, especially compared to some of the slower models out there.

Cons

  • The filters on this model clog easily, meaning well or salty water shouldn’t be used in these pitchers and should only have municipal water in them to avoid clogging them.
  • The pitcher and filter aren’t able to be used for hard water. The hard water can clog the filters as well.
  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase.

[amazon link=”B01N5ERFRI” title=”Reshape Water Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B01N5ERFRI”]

The Reshape is an unusual looking pitcher that again is an alkaline one. It comes with two filter cartridges, so they will last about 2-3 months before another purchase will need to be made. The filters for the Reshape are amongst the most complex available today. They use an ion-exchange filter, an activated carbon one, FIR balls, and then negative potential particles to remove all the impurities in the water.

Pros

  • This filter pitcher has an antioxidant effect by producing negative ions in the water.
  • It also can put minerals back in such as calcium, selenium and zinc, which many cannot. It comes with replaceable parts, which is unusual but helps reduce cost by replacing sections instead of the entire pitcher.

Cons

  • The filter is difficult to change. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be done often, so it isn’t a deal breaker, but it is a concern if arthritis is a problem.
  • There isn’t a gauge to tell the user when to change filters. The user tells by how slow the water is flowing.
  • It is very slow to filter.
  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase.

[amazon link=”B07GJXH68Z” title=”Brita – 10-Cup Everyday Water Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B07GJXH68Z”]

Brita, one of the best known names in the industry, comes in at number 7 on this list. BPA-free, as most of them are, it has an indicator to tell the user when to change the filter. It’s very comfortable to use and takes out most impurities in the water.

Pros

  • It has a comfortable hande, which is important as this is a larger-sized pitcher.
  • Brita is a well-known name and deemed reliable by consumers.

Cons

  • This pitcher doesn’t filter as many contaminants out as the other pitchers on our list do.
  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase.

[amazon link=”B01L9VICWQ” title=”DRAGONN 3.5 L Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B01L9VICWQ”]

This model is one of the largest pitchers on our list and has one of the most complicated filters. It softens the water by raising the pH, treats it with infrared energy, and removes contaminants. All of this is very impressive for the price.

Pros

  • This water filter both remineralizes and alkalizes the water. Both are significant health benefits.

Cons

  • The filters clog easily.
  • The filters only last 1-2 months.
  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase.

[amazon link=”B00HEYRLO8″ title=”Brita 6-Cup Atlantis Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B00HEYRLO8″]

Brita, again, is a very popular system and having two on the list is telling. The company uses a sticker system for filter change reminders or email reminders are a choice, too.

Pros

  • Brita has a fast filtering system, making it very popular for families with young children who don’t want to wait for fresh water.
  • The filters are very easy to change.

Cons

  • This pitcher is very small, so it will have to be refilled often.
  • warranty

90 days from the date of purchase.

[amazon link=”B01N6QN4WP” title=”Alexapure Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon box=”B01N6QN4WP”]

Another BPA-free pitcher, this one removes 99.99% of contaminants, but again, the user can only put treated municipal water through it. Fluoride is reduced by 90%, which is the same as some of the other top pitchers. The filters are a bit on the expensive side so check the prices before buying the pitcher.

Pros

  • This pitcher filters 99.99% of contaminants.

Cons

  • Expensive filters
  • warranty

45 days on unopened products.

Comparison Table

[amazon link=”B011M7AQPS” title=”Invigorated Water pH RESTORE Alkaline 3.5 L Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B011M7AQPS” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 96 gallons per filter (1-2 months)​

[amazon fields=”B011M7AQPS” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B01K8YALOC” title=”ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B01K8YALOC” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 79 gallons of water per filter (1-2 months)

[amazon fields=”B01K8YALOC” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B016LLLXJS” title=”Aquagear 8 cup Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B016LLLXJS” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 150 gallons per filter (2-3 months)

[amazon fields=”B016LLLXJS” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B00IK5A68I” title=”PUR LED 11 Cup Water Filtration Pitcher System” /]

[amazon fields=”B00IK5A68I” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 40 gallons per filter (1 month)

[amazon fields=”B00IK5A68I” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B01CGT22VM” title=”Seychelle Pitcher Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B01CGT22VM” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 200 gallons filtered water per filter (3 months)

[amazon fields=”B01CGT22VM” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B01N5ERFRI” title=”Reshape Water Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B01N5ERFRI” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 79 gallons per 1-2 months of use

[amazon fields=”B01N5ERFRI” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B07GJXH68Z” title=”Brita – 10-Cup Everyday Water Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B07GJXH68Z” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 80 gallons per 1-2 months of use

[amazon fields=”B07GJXH68Z” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B01L9VICWQ” title=”DRAGONN 3.5 L Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B01L9VICWQ” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 80 gallons per 1-2 months of use

[amazon fields=”B01L9VICWQ” value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B00HEYRLO8″ title=”Brita 6-Cup Atlantis Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B00HEYRLO8″ value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: ​60 gallons per 1-2 months of use

[amazon fields=”B00HEYRLO8″ value=”button”]

[amazon link=”B01N6QN4WP” title=”Alexapure Water Filter Pitcher” /]

[amazon fields=”B01N6QN4WP” value=”thumb” image_align=”center”]

Capacity: 80 gallons per 1-2 months of use

[amazon fields=”B01N6QN4WP” value=”button”]

Conclusion

The Invigorated Water pH RESTORE Alkaline 3.5 L Water Filter Pitcher is our winner. The slim outline, remineralization and inclusion of six months of filters puts it at the top of our list. Despite being a little pricier than some of the others, this price is easily made up in filter cost. This makes it number one in our book.

The Best Water Purification Tablets to Have in Case of Emergency

best water purification tablets

Clean water is a given for life, but certain circumstances may call for purification of one’s water source. The average adult cannot last more than a few days without enough clean water—the EPA recommends half a gallon of clean, fresh water a day, and no one wants lead, arsenic, bacteria, or other toxic contaminants in his or her canteen of drinking water. Tap water, municipal water, lake water, and bottled water are all at risk for contamination. If clean water accessibility and pollution issues concern you, then this article is for you and will prepare you for whatever emergencies may arise using the best water purification tablets available.

We have researched several brands of purification tablets in the paragraphs below. This article will review each of the best water purification tablets focusing on price, how the tablets work, how long it takes before purification finishes, and where to purchase each brand of water purification tablets. We’ll first mention a few commonly asked questions and the different water purification chemicals used in products to get you started.

[amazon box=”B000H3DNF4,B005NCYKMY,B077737MBN,B0009I3T3S,B019KZ0GVI” template=”table”]

Product FAQ for the Best Water Purification Tablets

1. What Are Water Purification Tablets?

Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, enduring a drought, visiting a third-world country for humanitarian aid, or surviving a water crisis in your hometown, you’ll need a convenient and accessible way to safeguard your water source from pathogens. Carrying around a heavy water filter isn’t ideal. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure your water is the best it can be: the best water purification tablets available for both you and your family.

Militaries initially used purification tablets to save time versus boiling water, as was done in the old days. With the advent of water purification tablets, providing drinkable water became a lot easier and faster for an army.

Water purification tablets contain harmless chemicals and additives that react with water upon contact. When applied, the chemicals destroy harmful pathogens and parasites and neutralize toxins. The result is a clean, crisp taste with maximum hydration. The added chemicals from the solution are harmless and dissipate after a brief amount of time, so you don’t have to worry about any residue chemicals in your water.

2. What Situations Are Appropriate for These Tablets?

One of the handy aspects of the best water purification tablets is their versatility. You can apply them in a wide variety of scenarios and stay healthy and hydrated. Here are examples of circumstances that warrant the use of the tablets:

  • Emergency/survival scenarios during a hurricane, mass flooding, drought, and other natural disasters
  • Humanitarian projects in third-world countries where clean water is scarce
  • Military campaigns that require large amounts of potable, clean water to fuel its troops
  • Outdoors backpacking, camping, hiking, or other sports-related activities
  • Traveling long distances across the country where clean water may not be abundant
  • Caring for someone who is seriously injured and dehydrated in a remote location—in need of quick, clean water
  • Hospitals who have patients with special hydration needs

As you can see, there are plenty of uses for water purification tablets including some scenarios that may save a person’s life, be it your family member, a friend, or your own.

3. How Do You Apply the Tablets to the Water?

The tablets are easy to use. Place a tablet into a container of water, as per the directions of the product, and allow the tablet to dissolve or react with the water. You may have to shake the beverage gently to maximize the tablet’s effects. Remember to wait for the designated period as specified by the product’s packaging. Some purification products involve drops instead of tablets that react with the water.

Be sure to strain the water first if there are visible particles or debris in the beverage. Warmer water purifies faster and better than cooler water, which is something else to remember when you’re in an arid, hot region. Never drink the treated water until enough time has passed.

4. What Are Some Additional Benefits of Purification Tablets?

Not only are the best water purification tablets convenient to use for a wide variety of situations, but they are also lightweight, easy to carry in bulk, and inexpensive. Each tablet is perfectly measured, so you don’t have to fiddle with measuring cups or other chemistry tools. You just pop the tablet into the water and wait for the substance to complete its cleansing of the water.

What Types of Water Purification Products Can Be Used?

Iodine

Iodine works surprisingly well as an antiseptic, and it’s also a necessary nutrient for the human body. After applying this substance, the wait time for purification is thirty to sixty minutes. Iodine is effective against bacteria, viruses, and parasites, like Giardia. Warmer water works better for iodine. Water applied with iodine will have an iodine-like taste; this is normal, although some products may remove the awkward taste. Most iodine purification tablets last for up to six years on the shelf.

Chlorine

Chlorine in the pool

Image by Adriano Gadini from Pixabay 

The wait time for purification is thirty to forty-five minutes. Like iodine, chlorine is effective against bacteria, viruses, and somewhat effective against Giardia. Most chlorine purification methods will be droplets rather than tablets. Chlorinated water has a bleach-like smell which will dissipate in the open air. The average shelf life is five years.

Chlorine Dioxide

This method of purification requires about four hours but kills a broader range of bacteria that other substances won’t. Chlorine dioxide does not alter the taste or smell of the water once the purification process is complete. Chlorine dioxide is especially potent against parasites like Giardia but takes longer to have a full cleansing on a batch of water. The shelf life is four years in a dry environment.

How We Reviewed the Best Water Purification Tablets

After careful research of the best water purification tablets on the market, we’ve constructed a comprehensive list of products that are both affordable and effective for consumers. We reviewed the following products based on price, accessibility, the chemicals used to purify water, and how long they last.

Overall Price Range

[amazon fields=”B0009I3T3S ” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image=”2″]

The higher priced products come with a longer shelf life, no aftertaste from purification, and no chemical residues. The more economical products may not cleanse the water compared to the more expensive tablets. Some products offer larger deals or multiple sets of tablets at a better price.

What We Reviewed

Below are five products our research suggested to be the best water purification tablets on the market.

  • Katadyn Micropur MP1
  • Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Purifier Tablets
  • Aquatabs AQT100
  • Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
  • TAC-H2O

[amazon link=”B000H3DNF4″ title=”Katadyn Micropur MP1″ /]

[amazon box=”B000H3DNF4″]

About the Product

This product is chlorine dioxide-based with a five-year shelf life. Twenty tablets come in a package, and only one tablet is needed for purification of one liter. Wait time is thirty minutes for most pathogens—up to four hours for a complete cleanse. The tablets don’t leave an aftertaste in the water, unlike with iodine or straight chlorine. This product meets EPA standards for microbiological water purification.

The Manufacturer

Katadyn is an American company that produces reliable water filters and chlorine dioxide tablets. They have a strong reputation among hikers and backpackers with their Katadyn Micropur MP1 tablets in particular.

[amazon link=”B005NCYKMY” title=”Aquamira” /]

[amazon box=”B005NCYKMY”]

About the Product

This product is chlorine dioxide-based with a five-year shelf life. Twenty tablets come in a package—only one tablet for purification, equating to twenty liters cleansed. Wait time is, again, thirty minutes for most pathogens—up to four hours for a complete cleanse. The tablets don’t leave an aftertaste in the water after the four-hour mark, unlike with iodine or straight chlorine; but the Aquamria will smell before the purification process is complete because of its potency.

This product can work with an Aquamria filter to remove any dirt or other visible solids in the beverage. This is an EPA registered water purifier. Product weight is 0.2 ounces. Dimensions are 5 x 5 x 5 inches.

The Manufacturer

Aquamria is a water purification company with international recognition for its humanitarian projects and quality products since the late 20th century.

[amazon link=”B077737MBN” title=”Aquatabs AQT100″ /]

[amazon box=”B077737MBN”]

About the Product

This product is chlorine-based with a five-year shelf life. A hundred tablets come in a package—only one pill for purification, equating to two-hundred liters cleansed. Wait time is only thirty minutes for a complete cleanse. These tablets will kill most pathogens and parasites within thirty minutes. Unlike most chlorine tablets, the Aquatabs does not leave residual taste or odor after the full thirty minutes. Someone can use this product for a variety of water sources, from rainwater, lakes, rivers, and cisterns. Compared to other brands, Aquatabs is a fast-acting product.

The Manufacturer

For over twenty years, NGOs and other emergency companies have relied on Aquatabs and their products—treating three billion gallons per year. Aquatabs has an international reputation for its quality products.

[amazon link=”B0009I3T3S” title=”Potable Aqua Water” /]

[amazon box=”B0009I3T3S”]

About the Product

This product is iodine-based with a four-year shelf life unopened—one-year shelf life opened. Fifty tablets come in a package—treating twenty-five liters of water. Wait time is thirty-five minutes for a complete cleanse. These tablets will kill most pathogens and parasites within thirty-five minutes but are not effective against Cryptosporidium. This product is unaffected by colder temperatures, but has a distinct iodine taste and smell to it.

The bottle is EPA registered for water purification. The dimensions are three inches by one inch, weighing 1.4 ounces.

The Manufacturer

Potable Aqua is a trusted brand for militaries and emergency organizations across the globe. Hikers and campers are also fond of Potable Aqua and their fast-acting and convenient to use iodine tablets.

[amazon link=”B019KZ0GVI” title=”LLC TAC-H2O” /]

[amazon box=”B019KZ0GVI”]

About the Product

This product is chlorine-based with a five-year shelf life. A hundred tablets come in a package—only one pill for purification, equating to five-hundred liters cleansed. Wait time is just thirty minutes for a complete cleanse. These tablets will kill pathogens and parasites like dysentery, cholera, and typhoid within thirty minutes. Unlike most chlorine tablets, the Aquatabs do not leave residue taste or odor. TAC is a globally EPA approved product because of its active chemical designed for long-term water drinkability.

The Manufacturer

Tac-Bar Tactical Food Rations is a humanitarian organization that sells prepper goods and water purification globally. They were involved in supplying aid during Hurricane Matthew in the Bahamas during 2016.

The Verdict

Our Pick for the Best Water Purification Tablets

After a careful examination of our research, we have concluded that the Katadyn Micropur MP1 performs the best as far as quality and taste. The TAC-H2O comes in second for its price and the number of tablets that purify five-hundred liters per product. The Katadyn Micropur MP1 will perform better, but we recommend the TAC for those seeking a more economical choice.

The Aquatabs, Aquamria, and Potable Aqua brands did not meet our research’s standards because of residue odor and taste issues, price per tablet, and insufficient information provided by the wholesaler.

Conclusion

Water purification is now one of the most important facets of life on this planet. Proper purification ensures health for both you and your family members, wherever you may be in the world, providing a convenient and lightweight option for clean water. Because of their flexibility and ease of use, water purification tablets are used worldwide by military and campers alike.

Our research suggests the Katadyn Micropur MP1 for the best quality water with taste, which is ideal for a camping vacation or hiking venture. The TAC-H2O is better for a cheaper, long-term option like an international trip to a third-world country or a military campaign.

We hope this article has helped you with your water purification questions. Remember to choose the best water purification tablets that suit your needs and stay hydrated.Featured image via Amazon

Survival 101: Water Purification Methods to Keep You Alive and Healthy

running water

Featured Image by fancycrave.com via pexels.com

Whether you’re out in the wild or surviving a disaster, the importance of the right water purification methods cannot be overstated.

These days many people are used to drinking pre-purified water out of plastic bottles sold in stores.

While those are handy, the likelihood of finding a convenience store deep in the backcountry is pretty slim.

Therefore, you’ll need to know the best water purification methods to survive.

Why Water Purification Methods Are so Important

Stream of Water

Image via Pexels

Perhaps you’ve seen Hollywood movies where the grizzly bearded outdoorsman or soldier survives by drinking water straight from a river or creek.

He dips into the stream with gnarled dirty hands and looks around suspiciously as he drinks.

First of all:

That guy’s an idiot.

you idiot giphy

Image via Giphy

Even the most pristine and unpolluted river or creek is teeming with microscopic contaminants that are more dangerous than any grizzly bear or enemy soldier.

Drinking water not treated by water purification methods is a sure ticket to a lot of pain, sickness, and even death.

Fun Fact:

Roughly 70 percent of planet Earth is covered in water. Only 2.5 percent of it is drinkable. Plus, only one percent of it is easily accessible, with the rest trapped in snowfields and glaciers.

In the wild, you’re probably drinking Bambi poop

bambie slipping giphy

Image via Giphy

Oh, come on.

What could be so wrong with drinking water that hundreds of animals probably drink every day?

Okay, first of all, would you drink out of a glass that hundreds of animals also drank from?

If not, then you have your answer.

Here is another question, though:

Would do you drink out of your toilet?

toilet bowl giphy

Image via Giphy

Most people don’t realize this, but animals in the wild also do their business in rivers and creeks.

Yes, those same sources of water that look so fresh and pure on postcards are filled with poop from animals (maybe even a few humans).

Also, there’s this:

Due to the size and solitude of many wilderness areas, it’s easy to forget that you’re not the only person to access a particular water source.

It’s almost a certainty that others have probably bathed, swam, washed dishes or clothes and done their business in the wild water source that you’re about to drink out of.

Water purification methods can ensure your drinking water is poop free.

Diseases, parasites, and infections, oh, my!

Maybe you’re wondering what’s the harm in drinking a little poop every now and again?

Okay, fair enough.

In that case:

Here are a few unwanted guests lurking in untreated water, just waiting for you to take a sip.

Oh, and by the way, there are a lot more.

Cholera

Cholera is a waterborne bacterial illness that impacts the intestine.

Sounds, fun!

Its symptoms include watery diarrhea and vomiting, which can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

According to a 2013 report by the Global Health Observatory of the World Health Organization (WHO), 47 countries reported 129,064 cases of cholera.

A total of 43 of this number came from Africa, while 47 percent came from the Americas.

Dysentery

you have died of dysentery giphy

Image via Giphy

Dysentery is perhaps one of the most common waterborne diseases out there.

It’s responsible for the deaths of over 600,000 children who’ve yet to reach the age of five who come mostly from developing countries.

Here’s why:

A microorganism called Shigella causes this bacterial disease, and just like the cholera bacterium, this little gut-wrecker attacks the cells of the large intestine.

Symptoms include abdominal cramps, anal pain, and bloody stool.

Fun Fact:

“About 6,800 gallons (25,700 liters) of water is required to grow a day’s food for a family of four.” — Espwaterproducts.com

Salmonella and E.coli

old spongebob giphy

Image via Giphy

These two bacterial diseases have a lot in common.

Here’s what we found:

They both thrive in unsanitary conditions, such as filthy water containing feces.

Animals are known to spread salmonella through their feces.

A particular strain of the Escherichia coli can make toxins that cause illness.

Both of these water bacteria present similar symptoms in infected individuals: abdominal cramps, high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In the worst cases of E. coli infection, people have experienced kidney failure.

Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis may sound like something out of Transylvania, but its nickname isn’t Dracula.

It’s actually known better as Guinea worm disease, based on the worm that causes it.

This disease is contracted when someone drinks water contaminated with this creature’s eggs, larvae, or both.

It gets better:

When the larvae grow up, they can develop up to a meter long.

Female worms can move through an infected person’s subcutaneous tissue and eventually emerge.

More often than not, they come out through the feet.

By that time a person will experience painful ulcers, fever, vomiting, and nausea.

Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever, made famous by the true story of Typhoid Mary.

Mary Mallon, known as Typhoid Mary, lived from 1869 to 1938.

She was an Irish-American cook who was the first person identified in the U.S. as an asymptomatic carrier of Typhoid fever.

Throughout her career as a cook, Mary is believed to have infected up to 51 people, three of whom died.

Typhoid fever is a bacteria similar to Salmonella typhi.

However, in addition to possible diarrhea, victims suffer from a severe skin rash with rose-colored spots on the chest and abdomen.

As with the case with Typhoid Mary, carriers of this illness can also be free from symptoms and go on to infect others who are not so lucky.

Check out this video:

Fun Fact:

Typhoid Mary infected people because she refused to wash her hands.

Botulism

The bacterium Clostridium botulinum is the culprit that creates the condition known as botulism.

The infections start with fatigue, problems with eyesight, and slurred speech, symptoms common with many water diseases.

That’s not the worst of it:

Eventually, it progresses to weakness in the facial muscles, which ultimately spreads to the arms and legs.

If it’s not treated immediately with antibiotics, an antitoxin, or both, the condition could lead to death as this little devil can affect the production of saliva and breathing.

Not a fun way to go for sure.

Fun Fact:

“To produce one chicken, we need 330 gallons of water.”

— Espwaterproducts.com

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Recently discovered in 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom (SARS) is a disease with no known cure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared SARS a global health threat due to its numerous recent outbreaks, mostly in places like Hong Kong and mainland China where the disease may have originated.

When SARS comes to the party, it enters the system through the fluids of an infected person.

One starts to develop flu-like symptoms until it advances into something that resembles pneumonia.

In the worst cases, this disease can result in death.

Polio

An oldie but goodie, the Poliovirus causes poliomyelitis, also known as Polio.

Thankfully, there is a vaccine to prevent the onset of this virus.

However, there are still cases of outbreaks where the virus has been reported in several developing countries.

The virus is usually spread through ingestion, where this micro-nasty has the power to produce dizziness, vomiting fever, and bowel and bladder dysfunction.

And that’s being polite:

The virus can also cause overall muscle weakness to paralysis, and at worst even death.

Alarming facts and statistics about waterborne diseases

The WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program published a report in 2017 about the progress of drinking water.

The report found that in 2015, 29 percent of the global population (roughly 2.1 billion people) lacked safely managed sources of drinking water.

Every year the lack of water purification methods leads to more than 3.4 million deaths from waterborne diseases, making it the leading cause of death and disease around the world.

Sadly, it’s much worse:

Most of those deaths are young children, about 4,000 per day.

From 2013 to 2014, in the United States, waterborne diseases caused 289 cases of sickness, 108 hospitalizations, and 17 deaths.

The 8 Different Water Purification Methods

cat taking a shower giphy

Image via Giphy

There are several different water purification methods you can use to transform contaminated water into clean drinkable water.

Each method has its benefits and downsides.

Below a list of a few water purification methods along with their pros and cons.

Here’s what we found:

1. Boiling

Boiling is a tried and true method of purifying water.

It’s also the cheapest and safest way to go.

This is what you need to do:

To use this method effectively, water must be brought to a boil and left at a rolling boil for one to three minutes.

However, for people living in higher altitude areas, it’s recommended that they boil water longer.

This is because water boils at lower temperatures in higher altitudes.

Before drinking, boiled water should be covered and left to cool.

Water drawn from wells should be left to sit awhile to allow compounds to settle before you filter out the clean water for use.

Pros

Kills bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and algae

Destroys viruses

Easy and simple

Cons

Doesn’t kill organic chemicals

Does not eliminate inorganic chemicals

Can’t eliminate radionuclides

Requires some kind of fuel to produce heat

Taste can be affected

Risk of injury

Time-consuming

Water must cool before drinking

2. Mechanical filters

Mechanical filters are physical mesh-type barriers that allow water to pass through while filtering larger contaminants in the water.

These filters are commonly used in aquariums to help improve water clarity and remove fish poop.

The pore size or space between media fibers are granules. They determine the size particles a filter can remove.

Mechanical filters remove elements such as clay, ferric iron, silt, and sand.

These filters can be made from materials such as carbon, nylon, ceramic, and plastic.

They also block some pathogens such as colloids (suspended matter), bacteria, and viruses.

People who draw their water from an underground well may use one or more mechanical filtration to filter water before it reaches a storage tank.

There are three types of mechanical filters:

  • 1Cartridge sediment filters
  • 2Medi
  • 3Multimedia filters

Cartridge sediment drinking water filters

Cartridge sediment filters only remove suspended solids.

Manufacturers rate the filters according to the size of particles they remove.

The filter material is often corrugated or wound to provide the maximum surface area needed for filtration.

Cartridge sediment filters can treat either point-of-entry or point-of-use.

simpson cartoon character saying excellent giphy

Image via Giphy

These filters include pleated paper, cotton, polyester, and polypropylene.

Pleated polyester and polypropylene are the most expensive but can be cleaned and reused several times.

These filters are used as pre-filters when unfiltered water could reduce the service life or effectiveness of another treatment device.

In other words:

They are used as the first line of defense.

Pros

Removes larger particles such as suspended solids

A good first line of defense

Can be used as point-of-use or point-of-entry filter

Some can be washed and reused

Cons

Not good for removing smaller pathogens like parasites, protozoa, algae, and bacteria

Doesn’t work well against viruses

Not effective against organic or inorganic chemicals

Hydrogen sulfide must be oxidized into solid particles via ozonation or chlorination before cartridge sediment filter can remove it

Decreases water flow when clogged

Must be replaced or washed frequently

Lowest flow rate

Media drinking water filters

Media filters are made up of different components that include a filter medium, a tank, a support system, and an underdrain.

These are point-of-entry devices and used as pre-filters before suspended solids in untreated water can reduce the effectiveness or service life of the primary treatment device.

The filter medium generally measures between 24 and 36 inches deep. The medium can be materials such as aluminum silicate, silica sand, or anthracite.

The tank encloses the filter medium. The support system, typically gravel, prevents the medium from being washed out of the device. Water enters the filter tank through the top then percolates through the medium, which captures any suspended solids. Treated water exits the device via the underdrain.

These filters can be cleaned using a process called backwashing, which reverses the direction of water flow through the filter by forcing water from the bottom of the tank to the top.

The flow expands the media bed and washes any collected solids out of the filter.

Manufacturers leave directions on how often to backwash their devices.

Pros

Can be cleaned and reused using backwashing.

Generally offers a better flow rate than cartridge sediment filters

Captures suspended solids

A generally better first line of defense than cartridge sediment filters

May require less frequent cleaning than cartridge sediment filters

Removes iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide

Cons

Ineffective at filtering viruses

Not as effective at filtering bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and algae

May not filter all organic or inorganic chemicals

Dissolved iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide must be oxidized into solid particles via ozonation or chlorination before media filter can remove them

Requires cleaning

Backwashing puts additional water into your septic system

Backwashing also increases water consumption

Can reduce water flow

Fun Fact:

“90% of all Americans receive their drinking water from a public water supply.” — Espwaterproducts.com

Multimedia drinking water filters

These filters share the same construction as media filters, except the tank encloses three or four layers of different filtration media.

As with single layer media filters, multimedia filters can be backwashed and reused.

Multimedia filters are point-of-entry devices.

In a multimedia filter, the coarsest media layer is on the top.

Each successive lower layer is finer.

Here’s an example:

One multimedia filter may have plastic beads or bituminous coal on the top.

Then followed by layers of anthracite coal, then sand, then garnet.

Unlike single media filters that trap particles at the top, multimedia filters trap particles throughout the entire depth of the column.

Pros

Can be cleaned and reused via backwashing

Requires less frequent cleaning than media filters and cartridge sediment filters

Typically offers a better flow rate than cartridge sediment and media filters

Captures suspended solids

Reduces water flow rate less than cartridge sediment filters

A generally better first line of defense than cartridge sediment filters and media filters

Removes iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide

Cons

Not effective at filtering viruses

Also not 100 percent effective at filtering bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and algae

May not filter all organic or inorganic chemicals unlike some other water purification methods

Dissolved manganese, iron, and hydron sulfide must be oxidized into solid particles via ozonation or chlorination before media filter can remove it

Requires cleaning

Backwashing puts additional water into your septic system

Furthermore, backwashing increases water consumption

Can reduce water flow

3. Activated carbon filters

These filters are a form of treated carbon that’s highly porous and have a large surface area, making it ideal for filtration.

The effectiveness of this filter depends on factors such as:

  • The contact time between the filter and water
  • Concentration of contaminants
  • The filter bed depth
  • Type of activated carbon installed

The most common types of carbon filtration systems are granular activated filters (GAC) and powdered block filters.

GAC is made from organic materials with high carbon properties such as lignite, wood, and coal.

The main difference between GAC and powdered block filters (PAC) are their particle sizes.

GAC filters larger particles and PAC filters smaller.

GAC can be used for post-filtration absorption where GAC is placed after the conventional filtration process.

man exclaiming awesome giphy

Image via Giphy

It can also be used for filtration-absorption in which some or all the filter media contained in a granular media filter is replaced with GAC.

In post-filtration, the GAC contractor gets the highest quality water and therefore only has to remove dissolved organic compounds.

Backwashing GAC in this configuration may be unnecessary unless there’s excessive biological growth.

By allowing longer contact times than filter-absorbers, post-filtration also offers the most flexibility for handling GAC and designing specific absorption conditions.

Pros

Improves the taste and odor of drinking water, unlike some other water purification methods

Removes contaminants such as chlorine and Iodine residuals, detergents, and radon

Filters some man-made chemicals such as pesticides

Filters volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), which are usually plant-thinning products

Can also remove heavy metals and lead (but must be a specific type of activated carbon filter)

Cons

Does not remove nitrates, sodium, fluoride, microbes, and water hardening compounds

When clogged can drop water flow

Even PAC filters offer no filtration against pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, algae, and protozoa

Not effective at removing dissolved inorganic impurities

Ineffective at removing metals such as salts, copper, minerals, and certain radionuclides

Low flow rate with clogged filters

Even PAC filters can’t remove viruses

GAC filters can incur bacterial growth

GAC filters require special disposal and can’t be regenerated by washing

Water may pass through areas in the GAC that bypass the carbon in the charcoal filter

Fun Fact:

“More than half of the water used in a home is used in the bathroom.” — Espwaterproducts.com

4. Distillation

No, we aren’t talking about the alcohol distillation process.

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Distillation is a water purification method in which heat is used to produce pure water from vapor.

This method is effective because water has a lower boiling point than diseased elements and contaminants found in water.

During distillation, water is subjected to a heat source until it attains boiling point.

It’s left at boiling point until it vaporizes.

This vapor is directed into a condenser to cool.

While cooling, the vapor is reversed into liquid water that’s clean and safe for drinking.

Solar powered distillation filters use energy trapped in solar panels which are then converted to usable energy that distills water.

Pros

Removes bacteria, germs, and salts

Effective at filtering viruses

Filters heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury

Works well for raw untreated water

Removes soluble minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus that can harden water

Filters some radionuclides

Cons

The process can not strip water of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine solutions that have a lower point than water

Distillation is a slow process

Requires an energy source

Only effective at treating small quantities of water

Difficult to maintain at a constant temperature

Can take gallons of dirty water to produce one gallon of clean water

Strips natural trace elements from water which could make the water very acidic

Some studies claim drinking distilled water can be harmful to the body

Doesn’t make great tasting water

Does not filter some radionuclides

5. Reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane containing tiny pores through which water can flow.

The small pores of this membrane restrict organic compounds that have a larger molecular composition than water.

Pros

Restricts organic compounds such as salt and other natural minerals

Filters bacteria and disease-causing pathogens

Blocks viruses

Filters inorganic compounds

Filters some radionuclides

Cons

Ineffective against VOCs that are molecularly smaller than water such as herbicides, pesticides, and chlorine

Removes healthy natural trace minerals

Reverse osmosis treated water can be unhealthy for the body

Strips water of good taste

Wastes about three gallons of water for every one purified

Incredibly slow compared to other water purification methods

Doesn’t filter some radionuclides

6. Chemicals

Chemicals are also used to treat water for consumption.

The most common chemicals used to treat water are chloramides, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide.

That’s not all:

Chloramines (chlorine) is the most common way to purify drinking water and can be used in either tablet or liquid form.

Chlorine dioxide is a type of chlorine that’s also used to purify drinking water, but it’s much less commonly used.

Hydrogen peroxide is usually combined with an activator called formic acid.

Pros

Kills bacteria, germs, and other pathogens

Also kills viruses

Cheap and effective

Works fast

Helps remove bad tastes and odors

Controls growth of slime and algae in pipes and storage tanks

Helps remove unwanted nitrogen compounds

Cons

Not good for people with thyroid conditions

Must apply chlorine tablets in heated water 69-degrees Fahrenheit or higher

Linked to increased risk of cancer over a lifetime exposure

Does not kill Cryptosporidium, which killed over 100 people in Michigan in 1993

Can increase susceptibility to tuberculosis

Can cause inflammation of mucous membranes of the nose

Causes corrosion of the teeth

One major problem with excess chlorine is that it can combine with organic material in water to create substances such as Trihalomethanes, which can cause liver, kidney, and nervous system damage.

Fun Fact:

“There are still an estimated 240,000 water main breaks per year in the United States, wasting over two trillion gallons of treated drinking water.” — Espwaterproducts.com

7. Ultraviolet (UV)

Ultraviolet (UV) water purification uses electromagnetic radiation to decontaminate drinking water.

Sounds cool, right?

The UV light is produced by using a germicidal or mercury vapor lamp with glass that grants optimal shortwave UV light a fully transparent surface that it can pass through.

The shortwave radiation then decontaminates the water.

Pros

No chemicals

Annihilates bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses

Kills fungus

Cons

Only useful as secondary filtration, cannot filter large suspended solids

Any color present in the water will hinder the UV radiation’s effectiveness

More expensive

Does not filter heavy metals

Can miss some micro-organisms

UV radiation does not stay in the water

Water may require post chemical treatment

8. Ion exchange

The water treatment process known as ion exchange is used for softening or demineralizing water.

Here’s what we found:

But, it can also remove other substances in water when used in processes such as deionization, dealkalization, and disinfection.

Ion exchange describes a particular chemical process in which unwanted dissolved ions are swapped for ions with a similar charge.

Ions are molecules or atoms containing a total number of electrons not equal to the total number of protons.

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I know, science is rough.

Stay with me:

Cations are positively charged ions, and anions are negatively charged.

The principle behind ion exchange involves attraction.

Cations are attracted to cathodes, which are negatively charged electrodes by which electrons enter an electrical device.

While anions are attracted to anodes, electrodes that have a positive charge.

The ion exchange process involves a solid (either resin or zeolite) and a liquid (water).

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In the process, the less desired compounds are exchanged for those considered more desirable.

These desired ions are loaded onto the resin material.

During the exchange of cations, positively charged ions that come into contact with the ion exchange resin are swapped with positively charged ions (usually sodium) available on the surface of the resin.

Likewise, the anion exchange involves negatively charged ions swapping out with negatively charged ions (usually chloride) on the resin surface.

This process also removes other contaminants that include fluoride, nitrates, sulfate, and arsenic.

Furthermore, there are specialized resins that can treat contaminants such as perchlorate and uranium.

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Image via Giphy

Bottom line: the ion exchange method works.

Pros

Treats inorganic chemicals

Treats some radionuclides

Cons

Doesn’t treat bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and algae

Not good for treating viruses

Not effective against organic chemicals

This water purification method is very effective in areas that use nuclear energy such as the Asian-Pacific region.

Finding Water Sources in the Wild

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While it’s essential to use the right water purification methods to make water safe to drink, first you must be able to find it.

The most obvious sources of water in the wild are streams, rivers, and lakes.

However, there are also other methods you can employ to collect drinking water.

Once again keep in mind:

You’ll need to apply at least one of the many water purification methods before you can drink the water you collect.

7 ways you can collect water in the wild

Below we have listed some of the ways you can collect the water you need to survive while in the wild.

Check them out:

1. Collect rainwater

One of the easiest and safest ways to collect drinking water is by collecting rainwater.

Rainwater has almost zero risks of giving you a waterborne infection.

However, keep in mind:

Your collection container would need to be sterile. Otherwise, you can still catch an infection.

Also, in urban areas, rain must travel through a wide variety of pollutants that you definitely don’t want to chug down.

There are two primary ways you can collect rainwater.

  • 1One way is to use a container.
  • 2Another way is to tie the corners of a makeshift tarp around the trees a few feet off the ground.

For method two, place a small rock in the center to create a depression, and let the water collect.

You can also place a container under the tarp to catch any water that leaks through.

If you use either of these methods, don’t forget to use a water purification method before drinking.

Fun Fact:

“Most of the earth’s surface water is permanently frozen or salty.” — Espwaterproducts.com

2. Fruits and vegetation

Plants such as fruits, vegetables, cacti, fleshy-pulpy plants, and even roots contain a lot of water.

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To collect water from any of these sources simply collect the plants and place them in some kind of container.

Now the fun part.

Go full-caveman (or woman) and mash them into a pulp with a rock to collect their fluid.

It won’t be much, but in desperate situations, even a little is a lot.

The method works well in tropical environments where vegetation and fruits are abundant.

Coconuts are an especially excellent source of hydration.

Unripe, green coconuts are better.

Take note:

The milk from ripe coconuts acts as a laxative, which will only serve to dehydrate you further.

3. Collect plant transpiration

Another simple option for water collection is taking advantage of plant transpiration.

Plants sweat fluid when moisture from the plant’s roots is carried to its leaves.

From there it usually evaporates into the atmosphere.

But you can catch the water before that happens.

To get started, first thing in the morning, tie a bag or something you can use for one (the larger, the better) around a leafy green shrub or branch.

Then place a rock in the bag to weigh it down a bit so the water will have a cavity to collect.

Thought the day, the plant will transpire and its moisture will collect in the bag rather than evaporate into the atmosphere.

Keep in mind:

Make sure you’re not doing this with a poisonous plant or else prepare to drink some pain.

4. Tree crotches and rock crevices

The crotches of tree limbs or crevices within rocks can be small collecting places for water.

In arid areas, such as deserts, look for bird droppings around a rock crevice which can indicate the presence of water inside, even if it’s unseen.

To remove the water from cracks, crevices, and crotches, just sink a piece of cloth into the area.

Let the cloth soak up any moisture and wring it out into a container.

You can repeat this process as many times as needed, but keep in mind it’s likely to be a tiny bit of water.

5. Dig an underground still

One method, which is also found in a U.S. Army manual, is to dig an underground still.

The benefit of this method is that it provides a more reliable, and fairly substantial, source of water compared to some other techniques.

Plus, you’ll be able to measure roughly how much you can expect, which helps with planning and rationing.

There are also above-ground varieties of sills.

The underground is your best bet for collecting the most water.

But, there’s no reason you can’t use both if you have enough material or can’t dig a large hole.

Here are the supplies you’ll need:

  • Container (the biggest you’ve got)
  • Clear plastic sheeting
  • Digging tool
  • Rocks
  • Optional: something to use as a drinking straw such as bamboo or some other plant)

Instructions

  • 1Find an area that collects a lot of sunlight during the day.
  • 2Dig a bowl-like pit about three inches wide by two inches deep.
  • 3Dig an additional small hole at the bottom of the pit for your container.
  • 4Place your container in the pit (if you have a tube you can run it out of the container).
  • 5You can also line the pit with vegetation to help capture more moisture.
  • 6Cover the hole with plastic using rocks and soil to keep it in place.
  • 7Put a small stone in the center of your sheet, so that it hangs and creates an inverted cone over the container.
  • 8Collect your water from the container; you can also drink it from your straw or store it in another container for later use.

There’s almost always moisture in the ground at that depth, that reacts to the sun’s heat to produce condensation.

The inverted cone forces the condensation down from the plastic sheet into your container.

Using this method you can expect anywhere from half to a full liter of water per day.

With that in mind:

You’ll need more than one or another source of water for an entire day’s supply.

Fun Fact:

“A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water.” — Espwaterproducts.com

6. Melt snow and ice

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This technique is especially useful in mountainous areas where snow and ice are more abundant well into the summer and sometimes year round.

If you’re near or on the ocean in a polar region, look for icebergs for a source of fresh water.

You can also find fresh water in “old ice” that has been through rain and thaws.

Keep in mind:

This is different from salty ice, which is opaque and gray, freshwater ice has a bluish color and crystalline form.

Fresh ice water also splinters easily with a knife.

If you’re in a boat surrounded by salt water, you can collect some in a container and allow it to freeze.

Fresh water will freeze first, while the salt will accumulate as slush in the middle.

Simply remove the ice and discard the slush.

While ice and snow are great sources of water, it should always be melted and purified before drinking.

Also, eating snow and ice will lower your body temperature. This causes dehydration caused by the need for your metabolic rate to speed up so your body can remain warm.

The best way to melt snow and ice and make it taste good is to mix it with all the water you already have available, even in small amounts.

Then just slosh it around until the snow or ice melts.

If you’re using fire to heat it in a container, add a bit of other water to it.

Otherwise, heating snow or ice directly can burn it and produce a foul tasting drink.

Well, just dig a well

small hut in a middle of a rice field

Source: UnSplash

To dig a well, start digging.

The best places are anywhere you see dampness on the ground or green vegetation.

Dig a hole a few feet deep, and it’s likely you’ll start seeing water seeping in.

You can also do this at the feet of cliffs, in a dry river bed, in valleys and low areas.

Additionally, you can dig behind the first depression behind the first sand dune of a dry desert lake.

This method isn’t always a guarantee and the water, if any, will be coarse and very muddy.

Which is why you’ll need to employ one of many water purification methods before you can drink it.

Fun Fact:

“An acre of corn will give off 4,000 gallons (15,000 liters) of water per day in evaporation.”~Espwaterproducts.com

Do not try to drink “water substitutes”

This is a terrible idea that should be avoided in all but the direst circumstances.

Generally, non-water substitutes only make things worse for your health and vitality.

These substitutes have a few harmful side effects.

Here’s a list of common substitutes and their adverse effects.

  • Alcohol: Getting your buzz on will cause dehydration and clouds better judgment
  • Blood: Fangs back, Dracula, this substitute can transmit disease and has a very high salt content (which means more dehydration)
  • Saltwater and sea ice: These contain about four percent salt and it takes your body more water to get rid of waste from seawater than you get from it
  • Urine: Despite the manly myth behind drinking your own urine, this yellow water substitute contains harmful body waste and about two percent salt

In any desperate survival situation, you may find yourself tempted to try ingesting non-water liquids as a way to stay alive.

Also, keep this in mind when it comes to urine:

Urine is about 95 percent water, but the other five percent are waste products that can cause kidney failure if ingested for more than a short period.

Okay, there’s always that person in the crowd who’s like:

“Yeah, but what if you’ve got no other choice?”

Well, let’s put it this way:

If you’ve got no other choice but to drink your own urine, then you’re probably going to die anyway.

With that in mind:

Do you really want to spend your final moments tasting your own pee?

And on that note, we hope you’ve enjoyed reading about water purification methods.

Remember always to purify your water to stay safe and healthy.

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