You should also regularly backwash your system’s filter to clear build-up. Minimize cross-contamination by storing dirty and clean parts separately and washing or sanitizing your hands after touching untreated water. Look for the cleanest water source available, and don’t throw or drop the filter, which can damage the element. Pumps and gravity systems are best for treating a large volume of water, whereas bottles, in-line filters, and straws are better for personal hydration.īe smart about using your filter or purifier when you’re in the field. Types of Treatment Systemsįilters and purifiers have mechanical differences, too. Freezing temperatures don’t impair the effectiveness of UV light or chemical treatment unlike the damage it causes to hollow fiber and ceramic elements. Because of their time-consuming nature, these methods are far less common, except in cold-weather environments. Neither of these methods remove particulate matter though, so first, you’ll want to filter water (either with a system or with a piece of fabric) or let it rest so you can separate out the clear stuff. Water can also be purified by UV light or chemicals, which kill microorganisms or block their ability to reproduce, making the treated liquid safe to drink. However, like other adsorptive elements, carbon has a shorter lifespan and is especially taxed by sediment-rich water. Sometimes companies pair hollow-fiber or ceramic filters with activated carbon, which neutralizes tastes and odors by trapping contaminants to its surface. Compared to their ceramic counterparts, these elements are cheaper to produce (saving you money) but have shorter lifespans, requiring replacement sooner.
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(For comparison, a human hair measures 25 microns or more.) Many filters and purifiers, including the majority on this list, have hollow-fiber elements.
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These pores typically measure 0.2 micron for filters and 0.01 micron for purifiers. They push water through a hollow fiber or ceramic element with very small pores so the liquid can escape but bacteria, protozoa, and other harmful contaminants can’t. The Year's Best Camping and Backpacking Tentsĭespite the difference in their capabilities, the way filters and purifiers work is similar.