Reading through the ETS material (again) on water filters, and basically non-pump water filters are ignored.

I'm soliciting comments on non-pump water filters, particularly the line of squeeze-bottle filters from safewater. Such a system seems to be far less complex, weight less and is presumably more reliable than than a pump, e.g., fewer parts, no moving parts. The sole disadvantage that I see is an inability to draw water from small sources/seeps.

Thanks,

/Neal

don't forget, its cheaper

This is the bottle I have and have used extensively in Ecuador. It is easy to use and carry. I like the fact that it is also viralcidal. The only problem I had was at the X-ray machine at the airport, the filter portion itself, shows up as a very dense item, which the screeners then check to make sure it is not one of the prohibited items.

ORINOCO 26oz. BOTTLE
http://shopping.wideworks.net/mivastore/...ct_Code=orinoco

I actually have two, one for myself the other for my wife/daughter, whoever is traveling with me. The first one I bought locally from Hudson Bay Outfitters, the other I got much cheaper on the net from one of the on-line outdoor gear companies. There is also a larger version as well. Hope this helps. Pete

Pete: Is it possible to pour from these bottles with the filter in place? In other words, could I fill a dog bowl with it?

Chris

It would be great if somebody reviewed the add-on filters available for hydration packs.

HINT HINT NUDGE NUDGE <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

No, the bottle either requires you to suck on the mouth tube or to squeeze the bottle, forcing water out of the mouth tube. Not much water can be forced out easily. I use the forced out method to rinse by toothbrush and on one occasion to mix enough clean water with a povidone-iodine impregnated surgical brush/sponge to clean the surface skin of an abscess, which had to be lanced, cleaned and packed (this was in Ecuador). If you want enough water generated i.e. for a dog bowl, a pump filter is the way to go. Pete

Thanks Pete. We have a PUR brand faucet filter at home that works well. I'll have to give their portable unit a try.

Chris

Keep in mind; most of the homes filtering systems out there are designed to remove chemicals (lead, copper, chlorine, etc.). They work on the premise that the water is already safe to drink from a microbiological point of view. Generally, individuals out in the "field"; filter water to remove/reduce microbiological contamination. Most pump systems work by "trapping" organisms within the filter proper and the ability to remove certain organisms is based upon the micron size of the organism and the micron size of the filter. Some have an added chemical component (i.e. iodine or silver) to kill viruses, since these are not removed/killed by the filtering process. The water bottle filter I mentioned does have such a component, I think it is silver, to kill viruses and is an EPA registered water filtration device. Pete

I carried the same bottle when I flew to Utah for a few days of hiking in Zion National Park a couple of weeks back. The exact same thing as you describe happened to me on the way back. Once they looked at it, they had no problem with it, but it was funny. Interestingly, I carried the same bottle on the way up, and they didn't stop me.

I have my own home made non-pump filter design. It consists of a 6 inch piece of 40mm PVC, a 40mm pipe joint, and a 40 to 20 (?) pipe reducer.

I created a pair of screens, one on the inside of the reducer where it necks down, the other above it resting against the ring inside the pipe joint and held in by the six inch PVC section.

Between the screens I have it packed with activated charcoal. The bottom of the 6 inch top section is packed with cotton batting. This can also be filled to the top with charcoal from a fire if filtering muddy water.

The thing really is simple and costs very little. It can also be recharged in the field with just about anything in place of the cotton batting and charcoal from the fire.

I have a short section of 10 speed bike innertube on the end of the reducer so it fits inside the neck of a canteen.

I keep a 5 liter waterbag wrappd around the outside and held on with rubber bands. Inside I have a bottle of Iodine drops and a film can of 50 mg Ascorbic acid capsules. I stuff my light weight leather gloves in the top as a plug. Mac

This is probably not what you're looking for, as I'm assuming you're looking for a small, quick backpaking model, but I use just the cartridge from a First Need filter, gravity feed. I connect a piece of tubing between it and the spout on a flexible water jug, hang the jug from a tree, and drain the filtered water right into my canteen or other container. It puts out a lot of water with zero effort. I don't even own the pump.

Dave

A home-made gravity fed filter is described in Ray Jardine's book on lightweight backpacking- I think it's called "beyond backpacking".

I seem to recall it was pretty light but perhaps more bulky than you are looking for.

Tim H./9fingers <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />