Originally Posted By: benjammin

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I've seen migrant farm workers bathing and washing their clothes in the Columbia, Snake and Yakima Rivers in the summer, by the dozens, while the kids were swimming around downstream, while upstream the cattle feed lots were being washed down and the runoff was going straight into the river. This was Washington State, not some Amazonian tributary. Makes you think, don't it?


Yes, it makes me think, that if it was as easy to catch these things as some people think, that ALL those people would be sick...
Do not get me wrong, I am a belt AND suspenders sort of guy, and I do not believe in taking chances that you do not have to. But in a short term survival situation, where you are sure of being back in civilization within a couple of days, If I could not purify the water, I think the prudent thing would be to go ahead and drink, and see a doctor when you get back...
Does anyone have any experience with field expedient filters made from natural or readily available materials???