Alcohol has such a high affinity for water that no amount of boiling will remove it all. I think you need a centrifuge for that.

Yes, you are incorrect. Bio contaminants, yes. Chemicals, no.

HJ

"A lot?" I wonder if "a lot" would be "enough" (to make it safe to drink).

HJ

Many will remove suspended particles or chemicals, but not dissolved ones.

This is probably the best there is, but even it is not going to remove dissolved chemicals:

http://www.lifesaversystems.com/techinfo.html

But at $150 it's pricey.

A good and cheaper one ($60) is (although I wish it had a carbon filter in addition to ):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sawyer-Water-P...4#ProductDetail

It filters to .02 microns so it removes viruses as well.

Do they make portable reverse osmosis systems?

Are you sure? I think the Livesaver does have a charcoal component that will remove some chemicals. Unless I'm misreading it somehow.

If you're aiming at using a particular water source that is near to you, why not find out NOW what you are likely to be dealing with?

Contact your local water board and see if they have any test results on chemical contamination (it should be public info). Biological contamination can be taken care of with boiling, it's the other junk that's the danger. And 'the other junk' also includes water contaminants that come from natural soil.

If they don't have any test results, ask them why not? And ask them if they would consider doing some.

The last resort would be to have the testing done yourself, which could be expensive. But don't just take a jar of river water to a testing facility and ask for a basic test -- all you get for your $10 or so is usually a fecal coliform test.

Sue

Salesguy, I have the same issue. My solution, so far, is the deluxe version of the General Ecology hand pump "purifiers". GE told me, in a telephone conversation, that the filters(unused) have an indefinite shelf life. I did not independently corroborate this advice. I also use the Katadyn "purifier" bottles with the Virustat a addition, for lightweight kits. Finally, in the ultralight category, I use the straw "purifier" sold by BQ and others.

Yes, I believe the Lifesaver does have a charcoal filter. It and even others without one will remove some chemicals, but not if they are dissolved. For instance, none that I am aware of will turn salt water into potable fresh water.

Hikin Jim, thanx for the heads-up. But, here's why I made the assumption. The GE First Need site, under the category "Why are we different", states that the purifier removes many "organic and inorganic chemicals..". Now I'm confused. I looked at the research published on their site and it only covers biological contaminants. Hummm?

Anyone getting a water filter should make sure they are NSF 42 and 53 certified.

Here are some of the chemicals and percent reductions that NSF 53 certified filters meet:

Asbestos 99%
Benzene 99%
Carbon Tetrachloride 98%
Chlordane 99.5%
Chloroform (TTHM)* (surrogate chemical) 99.8%
Ethylbenzene 99%
Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) 99%
Lead (pH 6.5) 99.3%
Lead (pH 8.5) 99.3%
Mercury (pH 6.5) 99%
Mercury (pH 8.5) 99%
Toluene (Methylbenzene) 99%

Go to NSF.org for the longer more complete list.