Having a source of water when out camping in the wilderness is vital for cooking, cleaning, and basic drinking purposes. But what are the various options for campers looking to secure a water source? There are a variety of ways to find water and to make sure that you too will always have access to potable water. Potable water is the term for water that is pure and safe to drink. It can be used for everything from brushing teeth, washing dishes, to cooking. Make sure the water you are using is potable or is adequately filtered or purified before you use it, to avoid getting infection or disease.
Campground Water Sources
If you are staying in a campground or extensive campsite, chances are there will be a potable water source on-site. This means that you will not have to go looking for water, or have to carry water from a distant location. Check the public restrooms of your campsite, there may be a tap outside with fresh water. As always, check to make sure the tap is clearly marked as potable before you drink it. Non-potable water is still safe for cleaning clothes or other campground necessities, but should not be drunk or ingested. Non-potable water can be sterilized, however, with a thorough boiling. Boil the water for at least 10 minutes, to make sure all parasites and germs are killed, then let cool before drinking.
In addition to taps, many campgrounds will also have water reservoirs or tanks, for alternate use. If no tap are available, rain water collectors or reservoirs can be used, as long as it is sterilized before use.
Carry Your Own
If you are unsure whether the campsite you are going to will have potable water, or if you are going to be out in the wilderness and away from an established source of water, it is often a good idea to bring your own source of clean drinking water. All camping supply stores carry a variety of water carriers or containers, many of them lightweight and easy to carry.
Collapsible plastic water containers can be a good choice for backpackers, as they do not weigh much and can be packed in a small space when empty. Many feature a large opening to fill the container easily, as well as for cleaning purposes.
Another choice is heavy-duty plastic water bags, which can easily fit inside a backpack. Some personal water carriers come with a drinking tube, which allows you to drink from the bag while it is still stowed away in your pack. Others feature insulated walls designed to keep water cool even during hot weather.
Water Filtration Methods
Finally if you are planning to go on a long camping trip, where carrying all necessary water is impossible, a water filter can be a great way to distill drinking water from any source of water. Although there are a variety of styles and types of filters, ceramic filters are often the best, as they provide the highest level of filtration and can get rid of 99.9% of all foreign elements, bacteria, and germs. This means that almost any lake, stream or river can become a source of fresh, clean drinking water. Filters often come with a water intake tube, which you place in the water source, and a pump to draw the water through the filter and out the other end. Pumping may take a long time, however, and as the filter wears out it will have to be replaced. A single water pump can easily provide water for several people on a camping trip.
Iodine
For those travelers wishing to avoid the weight and complications of a filter or pump system, iodine can be a way to kill germs and sterilize water before drinking. Iodine does not get rid of any impurities in the water, however, so if the water is dirty or has small floating particles in it, it will still not be drinkable.
Iodine comes in various forms, the most common being tablets or droplets. Droplets can be added to a thermos of water, then left to sit for a while. Tablets should be place din the water and allowed to dissolve fully. Iodine must mix well in with the water, so a quick shake or stir can be helpful to get the water mixed. Iodine takes a certain amount of time to work, however, so be sure to leave the iodine in the water for at least 10 minutes, to be sure all the germs are killed.
Other Water Sources
When looking for water sources to purify and drink, be creative about what you use. Standing water is often dirtier and less pure than running water, and getting mud or dirt into a filter can often lead to it clogging. If there is no stream nearby, look for puddles or rivulets of water on rocks, which may collect into pools. Mountains often provide snowfields, which will have drip offs, or you can collect the snow and boil it for water. Finally, those desperate for water can rig a dew-collector, in the form of a waterproof sheet draining into a bucket or cup.
