Cheap Polar Pure Water Disinfectant

Shri says, "Just dip your water bottle over the side of the canoe to fill, add a capful of Polar Pure solution, shake, and wait 20 minutes" - but this may be dangerous advice. The problem is any water left on the outside of Shri's water bottle was, of course, not cleaned by putting iodine inside the bottle. Since Shri didn't get sick, the water was probably never contaminated (often the case). Shri should have, perhaps did, "burp" the treated water bottle in order to clean the outside as well. Just as important, though, is to regularly clean hands and cooking utensils (since these are more often the sources of bacteria and viruses). You can reduce the minor iodine aftertaste by halving the dose and doubling the wait time - including doubling either dose or time if water is cloudy (easier with this product than tablets like Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets). Instead, I add an acidic sport mix to both counter and cover aftertaste (only after 30 minutes to next day wait to let iodine first do its work). I dilute powder with twice recommended water to aid faster digestion.

Issues being addressed are large 2-15 micron Protozoa and medium 0.2-0.6 micron Bacteria most likely to affect dehydration by causing diarrhea as well as rare small 0.02-0.03 micron Viruses from other humans (so, animal waste not really a problem) most feel are actually not likely in U.S. Tennimon's natural sand filter suggestion could take a week to work optimally (so, should be treated anyway) and his claim of nasty taste (while never trying) is wholly unfounded. Just fill the Polar Pure Water bottle with water and shake. The solution will be ready for use in about an hour (using a half ounce for 4 liters of water). The particle trap should prevent crystals from getting into the water - this is important as iodine in a crystal is poisonous and can burn tissue or eyes. Always refill the bottle so the solution will be ready for next use. Enough to treat about 2,000 quarts (compared to tablets being good for only up to 50 quarts).

When camping, take water from the surface since it will be cleaned by the sun's ultraviolet rays while giving gunk a chance to settle. Important to remember iodine is less effective (requiring more) if water is below "room" temperature, so warming water first may be useful (say, by leaving in sun). Best if water is filtered in any way (even if just with a coffee filter) as gunk can shield pathogens from iodine (and no one likes to chew their water). Even the very best filters, though, can possibly leave some types of viruses (which are tiny dead protein fragments) which iodine will destroy. This product is the long standing standard, being better than other forms of iodine as well as chlorine. No treatment, of course, will affect toxins like industrial waste or heavy metals from mining tailings. Don't use if allergic to shellfish (since you're likely also allergic to iodine). Good for foreign travel as well as backpacking. Homeland Security also recommends having at home in case of emergency - they prefer either boiling or filtering AND treating water to be 100% safe.Get more detail about Polar Pure Water Disinfectant.