Water Sterilising

[kt700]

Interested to know what people use for sterilising water, and whether buying a Steri-pen is worth the money, or should I stick with the pills? And how does the water taste after using the pills?
This is for an upcoming Overland Track trip but also future bushwalking in Oz (and NZ hopefully).

[johnw]

Interested to know what people use for sterilising water, and whether buying a Steri-pen is worth the money, or should I stick with the pills? And how does the water taste after using the pills?
This is for an upcoming Overland Track trip but also future bushwalking in Oz (and NZ hopefully).

I've only used pentavelant iodine tablets, or boiling. I have considered the Steripen and may yet buy one; mostly I've read good reports about them.

I'm far more paranoid about water quality on the mainland than in Tasmania. I didn't bother with any sterilisation during the last multi-day trip I did in Tas, which was WOJ last Christmas break. Just careful about collection points. I did use iodine tabs on the OLT on a previous trip but probably need not have bothered. Mostly water was collected from hut tanks.

I dislike the taste of iodine-treated water but if you hold your nose while you drink it, it becomes far less noticeable. I believe it's more the smell than the taste that affects you. You can use other tablets to remove the smell/taste but I believe that they effectively undo the sterilisation, so there may be a chance that bacteria etc may (revive?). I always regard any water source up here as suspect, unless I'm with someone else and they know that the source is safe.

[Jellybean]

Hi John,

I've been thinking about buying a Steripen too (although not necessarily for Tassie). (Keep in mind that it purifies but doesn't filter out the sediment etc. from the water, however the company does sell a filter that fits over the top of a wide mouthed Nalgene bottle for this purpose - although I've heard it's slow). Otherwise have mostly heard good reports about the Steripen. (Check out the on-line US prices - half what you pay here).

With regards to treating water (in general, not in Tassie) - I've used boiling, iodine tabs and Micropur tabs in the past. Tabs are very convenient. When relying on tabs I found the Micropur tabs were definitely preferable to the iodine tabs - much less of a taste (although still a noticeable) but definitely better than getting sick!!

Taking care with water collection points seems to be the key in Tassie (but there are people with plenty more experience here than me who might comment).

Cheers,

JB

[tasadam]

Never used anything, never seriously considered anything either. Just need to be a bit picky on popular places eg Overland, and esp. in summer.
Those micro-filter pumps look good, but they're expensive!

[Humpo]

I have the Steripen Adv and are very happy with it now. I had a dud lamp. Out of the box it did not work. I bought it from the states so I thought warranty was out of the question but I contacted Steripen direct and with in 2 weeks I had a brand new one in the box. So very happy with after sales service.

If you get one when you use it the light should be very bright blue. When i used mine it was hard to see in the day light. You can get them from the states for about $90usd.

http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/2 ... turer.html

http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/2 ... ilter.html

There is no taste difference with the use of the pen. I will always carry a few tablets for the just in case it fails but from all the research I have done I should not need them.

I also carry the MSR Miniworks EX this is a great unit that gets rid of any grit in the water. its a little heavy but at around the 450g mark.

[corvus]

Thank you for that information fortunately we at this stage don't need to use them in most of our bush walking regions in Tassie.
c

[johnw]

I've been thinking about buying a Steripen too... (Keep in mind that it purifies but doesn't filter out the sediment etc. from the water, however the company does sell a filter that fits over the top of a wide mouthed Nalgene bottle for this purpose - although I've heard it's slow)

Thanks JB, yes I'm aware that it doesn't filter. I use a cheap and nasty method for filtering (pre iodine treatment) with a small section cut from an old pair of my wife's pantyhose, similarly stretched over the mouth of a nalgene bottle. It too is slow but does keep most sediment out.

[Area54]

Steripen, prefilter on a nally bottle and aquatabs as backup. The prefilter works well enough once it is wetted out.

[Humpo]

I looked at those, they look good and good price too.

http://www.steripen.com/steripen_products.html
(Down the bottom of page.)

[Jellybean]

I also carry the MSR Miniworks EX this is a great unit that gets rid of any grit in the water. its a little heavy but at around the 450g mark.[/quote]
[quote]

If anyone's after a lighter micro-filter alternative (209g vs 456g), the MSR Hyperworks is apparently good.

I'm thinking along the lines of Area54 - steripen Adv, pre-filter on Nally bottle and Micropur tabs as back up. Will buy the MSR Hyperworks later if need be.

Corvus be happy you don't need to think about this in most places in Tassie!!

[kt700]

Thanks for all your great tips! I just bought a steripen journey on e-bay for $89 US + postage, just have to consider the grit factor now.

[strewthm8]

I use Steripen and tabs for back-up/emergency...most of my walking is on the mainland....VIC...main problem is actually finding water!! Never rains over here any more!! Also use a modified platypus bottle/bladder (fold up type) as my collection/sterilising bottle- errr... I cut the top off a 1L bottle! Packs away really small when i've finished with it...I like to use platy's for carrying water- coz they get smaller as you use them. no need to carry a bulky, empty nalgene or sigg etc bottles.

Cheers
David

PS mine is a 'Journey'...my son lives in US...very handy!!

[Orion]

I dislike the taste of iodine-treated water but if you hold your nose while you drink it, it becomes far less noticeable. I believe it's more the smell than the taste that affects you. You can use other tablets to remove the smell/taste but I believe that they effectively undo the sterilisation, so there may be a chance that bacteria etc may (revive?).

Those "other tablets" are just vitamin C. A simple alternative to buying these custom tablets is to crush a few normal vitamin C tablets and carry the powder in a very small container. Just the tiniest pinch of this powder will turn the iodized water clear and remove any hint of taste or odor. If you use a bit too much you may notice a slight vitamin C flavor. Experiment and you will be surprised how little is required.

This does not undo the sanitization but it does stop any further treatment. So you should wait until the allotted time has passed and add the powder just before you first drink.

Some people prefer to use flavored citrus drink powders instead.

[johnw]

Those "other tablets" are just vitamin C...

This does not undo the sanitization but it does stop any further treatment. So you should wait until the allotted time has passed and add the powder just before you first drink.

Some people prefer to use flavored citrus drink powders instead.

Thanks for that. I couldn't remember what is in the tablets, but now that you mention it I do recall reading that. I have a bottle of the Coghlans ones that I've never used due to previously stated concerns. I might give them a go eventually. I must admit I have used vitamin c based powdered cordial before on treated water with no ill effects. But I'm inclined to wait much longer than the recommended hour, or whatever it is, to ensure effective sanitation.

[north-north-west]

*scratches head*
Tassie has the best and purest water on the planet. Why would you want to sterilise it?