If the water is muddy, filter the dirt out by allowing the water to sit for 1/2 hour. The sedimentment will drop to the bottom of the container. The portaqua will kill the nasties, not filter out dirt. <br><br>A quick way to filter out large sedimentent is to pour the water through a bandanna or coffee filter before it gets into your container. Then add the purifier. Less sedimentment to settle that way.<br><br>