Water, water filters & storage

Clean water is vital in emergency situations for several reasons. First, hydration is essential to maintain body functions and prevent dehydration, which can worsen health problems. Secondly, clean water is needed for basic hygiene, such as washing hands and wounds, which reduces the risk of infections and diseases. In addition, safe water is crucial for food preparation and sanitation, preventing the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. In emergency situations, access to clean water can be compromised due to pollution or damage to infrastructure, increasing the risk of health crises. That's why a stable supply of clean water is paramount to protect your health and that of your loved ones and to minimize the consequences of emergencies.

Hoe kies je een waterfilter die het beste bij jou past?

To make water from lakes or rivers drinkable in emergency situations, various types of water filters and treatments can be used. Here is a comprehensive overview of the different types and their differences, including their advantages and disadvantages.

Types of Water Filters and Treatments

Gravity Water Filters

How They Work: Water is poured into a container or bag and filtered through gravity.
Advantages:

  • Easy to use and requires no power.
  • Can usually filter large amounts of water.
  • Generally suitable for fixed locations.


Disadvantages:

  • Slow filtration rate.
  • Sometimes bulky and not ideal for on-the-go.

Example Products: British Berkfield Filters, Sawyer Point One Squeeze, Platypus GravityWorks, Care Plus Water Filter EVO.

Hand Pump Water Filters

How They Work: Water is manually pumped through the filter.
Advantages:

  • Provides immediate filtration.
  • Compact and portable.
  • Effective in various environments.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires physical effort.
  • Can be slower than gravity filters for large volumes.

Example Products: MSR MiniWorks, Katadyn Hiker Pro.

Sediment Filters

How They Work: Remove large particles and sediments from water.
Advantages:

  • Protects finer filters from clogging.
  • Extends the life of finer filters.

Disadvantages:

  • Does not remove microorganisms or chemicals.
  • Must be used in combination with other filters or treatments.

Example Products: Icepure, mesh or cloth filters.

Straw Filters

How They Work: Drink directly from water sources through a straw that filters the water as you suck.
Advantages:

  • Extremely portable and lightweight.
  • Easy to use for personal hydration.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited capacity—only suitable for direct drinking.
  • Not practical for filtering water in containers or large water bags.

Example Products: LifeStraw, Sawyer Mini.

Bottle Filters

How They Work: Integrated filter in a water bottle, filters water as you drink.
Advantages:

  • Convenient and portable.
  • You can carry filtered water with you.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited capacity compared to larger systems.
  • May need frequent refilling if more water is needed.

Example Products: Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle, Grayl Ultralight, Brita Filtering Water Bottle.

Jerrycan Filters

How They Work: Filters integrated into a large jerrycan.
Advantages:

  • Large capacity, ideal for groups or during prolonged emergencies.
  • Can store and filter large amounts of water.

Disadvantages:

  • Bulky and heavy when filled.
  • Not as portable as smaller systems.

Example Products: LifeSaver Jerrycan, AquaBrick water purification system.

Vessel Filters

How They Work: Filters integrated into vessels like pots or containers.
Advantages:

  • Suitable for both storage and filtration.
  • Can filter large quantities at once.

Disadvantages:

  • Typically less portable.
  • May require more maintenance.

Example Products: British Berkfield, Katadyn Drip, AquaRain Natural Water filter.

Chemical Treatments

How They Work: Use chemicals such as iodine, chlorine, or chlorine dioxide to kill microorganisms.
Advantages:

  • Lightweight and very portable.
  • Effective against a wide range of pathogens.

Disadvantages:

  • Can leave an unpleasant taste.
  • Requires waiting time for chemicals to work.

Example Products: Aquatabs water purification tablets, Oasis, Micropur.

Ultraviolet (UV) Purifiers

How They Work: Use UV light to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
Advantages:

  • Fast and effective.
  • Does not alter the taste.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires power (batteries or solar energy).
  • Does not remove particles.

Example Products: SteriPEN, CrazyCap.

Boiling

How It Works: Boil water to kill microorganisms.

Advantages:

  • Very effective and simple.
  • No special equipment needed (just a heat source like a burner with fuel tablets, gas stove).

Disadvantages:

  • Time-consuming.
  • Does not remove chemical contaminants or particles.

Example Products: Not applicable (basic survival technique).

Summary

  • Gravity Filters: Best for fixed locations; slow but high capacity.
  • Hand Pump Filters: Portable and effective; requires effort.
  • Sediment Filters: Pre-filtering; must be used with other methods.
  • Straw Filters: Ultra-portable; only for direct drinking.
  • Bottle Filters: Convenient for carrying clean water; limited capacity.
  • Jerrycan Filters: Large capacity for groups; less portable.
  • Vessel Filters: Good for large quantities; less mobile.
  • Chemical Treatments: Lightweight and effective; taste and waiting issues.
  • UV Purifiers: Fast and taste-neutral; requires power.
  • Boiling: Simple and effective; time-consuming and does not filter chemicals.

Choosing the right method depends on your specific needs, such as the amount of water required, portability, and available resources. Need more help? Feel free to contact us for tailored advice!