How to Purify Water When Hiking

You must purify water when hiking unless you want to be sick.

Hiking is a practice that requires a lot of hydration, especially in hot weather. If you come across a pond or stream, you might be tempted to dip your water bottle in and take a drink, but this practice can be dangerous. To prevent illness, it is vital to purify water when hiking using a number of simple methods.

Things You'll Need

• Clean water bottle Water filter Metal pot or can Matches or lighter Unscented household bleach Water purification tablets or drops

Instructions

How to Purify Water When Hiking

1. Find the source of the water you intend to drink before collecting any. Use only running water for drinking purposes when you are hiking. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria and allows more buildup of dangerous substances. Use only water that does not smell in any way. Then, collect a measure of water in a pot or can.

2. Pass the water through a filtration device. Camping and recreation stores have premade filters specially designed for filtering water, but you can easily make your own. Punch a few holes in the bottom of a can and squash a clean, cotton T-shirt or a pair of socks in the bottom. Pour the water on top of the fabric and let it drip out the other end into a metal pot or another can.

3. Light a fire where regulations allow in the area you are hiking in. Always be mindful of fire danger and safety rules when building fires in the wilderness. Place the filtered water in the pot atop the fire and heat it to a rolling boil. Boiling the water for one to two minutes will kill the vast majority of bacteria that may exist in it. Allow it to cool before use.

4. Use a chemical purification system in areas where lighting a fire is not permitted, or simply to save time and effort. Chlorine- and iodine-based solutions are the most popular for purifying water while hiking. Outdoor recreation stores sell tablets and small dropper bottles with liquid that can be used to treat water so it is safe to drink. Follow the manufacturer's directions about how much to use. Always stir the water well and allow to sit for a bit before drinking to disperse any smell or aftertaste that may be caused.

5. Drop four to five drops of unscented, untreated household bleach into a quart of filtered water to purify it when hiking. Chlorine bleach will kill nearly all bacteria or pathogens the water may contain. Do not use more than five drops per quart, or you will risk irritating or burning your mouth or stomach. After stirring in the bleach, allow the water to sit for a minute so the bleach smell dissipates before drinking. This water can be poured into a bottle for easy transport.