Water Purification in Bushcraft

Water Purification in Bushcraft

Water collection is something you will need to do at some stage while on a bushcraft week or weekend, Look for a suitable source, a flowing water source is generally more preferable than a static one, but no matter where you take your water from, be aware of sewage and visible contaminants at source.

Provided your source looks clean and is suitable for collection, i.e. easily accessible and risk free, you have various contaminants which you will need to remove before drinking, If ground water is not workable, think of other methods of water collection, such as vapour collection from plants using a plastic bag or a condensation pit. The main hazard from all water comes in 5 main categories:

1. Water Clarity – Floating particles, sediment, debris and decomposing matter.

2. Parasites – Waterborne organisms that rely on other organisms to survive or feed on, such as worms or protozoa, which can carry diseases harmful to humans

3. Bacteria – Single celled organisms which cause disease. Bacteria are generally classified as either helpful or harmful. Bacteria are found everywhere, and appear on every surface and every part of the human body. The helpful bacteria are commonly found in yogurt and cheeses, and are good for digestion. The other types are harmful bacteria, those that you may be more familiar with are:

A) Streptococcus Progenies responsible for skin infections and sore throats etc

B) E-Coli responsible for gastrointestinal diseases

C) Vibro Cholerae responsible for Cholera

D) Enteritis Salmonella responsible for food poisoning

E) Salmonella Typhi responsible for the deadly Typhoid

4. Viruses – Viruses cause disease in organisms that they infect, they are microscopic and are unable to be filtered out of water, and Viruses are measured in Billions of  micrometers (nano) as opposed to protozoa which are measured in thousands of  micrometers. (A micrometer is a millionth [10(-6)] of a meter.)

Viruses are quite often responsible for Diarrhoea transmitted mainly by water. Hepatitis A and Polio are also among the more serious viruses that can be transmitted in faecal water, which is why if you travel to foreign countries that it is very important to know that any salads or vegetables have been washed with pure clean sterile water prior to consumption.

5. Chemical pollutants – Pesticides or heavy metals are often the result of agriculture, chemical pollution or mining. Dead fish and vegetation are clear signs of serious chemical pollution. Chemical pollution is often not as obvious so you need to be careful; the signs are much more subtle. With a little bit of pre-trip research we can judge if we are visiting an area where chemical pollutants may be an issue (for example will you be near mining or sewage, or is there a lot of agriculture nearby which could pollute nearby water sources.

How to Deal with Water Contaminants

It is unusual to have to deal with all 5 types of contaminants, but as a rule you should remove any particles by filtering first then follow up by boiling. Consider using a water purification pump that combines filtration and chemical treatment.

Remember the first basic principles, keep things as clear as possible, the important points you need to remember are as follows:

1.Coarse filtration will remove turbidity

2.Microfiltration will remove the larger pathogenic organisms (protozoa and some bacteria)

3.Boiling will kill all pathogenic organisms (at any level)

4.Certain types of filtration (activated carbon) can remove some chemical pollutants

5.Some chemical treatments (chlorine, iodine) will kill many pathogenic organisms (in particular bacteria and viruses), while other treatments (chlorine dioxide) will deactivate all of them

Therefore we can deduce a combination of filtration and a suitable chemical treatment or boiling will deal with any or all of the specific contaminants. If you understand these fundamental principles, then you can start to make wise, informed and rational decisions in your scenario.

The presence of waterborne pathogens is often associated with the presence of humans and domesticated animals and often a result of bad sanitary practice. (excrement contaminating the water). In many places where there has been little or no human activity and no livestock or pack animals, then the water can be free of pathogenic organisms and safe to drink. But remember we can’t know for sure without testing the water.

If locals drink the water, remember that there immune system is used to the surrounding conditions, Pre-trip research will also help you determine which waterborne pathogens are possible, likely or endemic in the country or area you are travelling. This type of research is very important and can help with determining which inoculations, if any, you require before a trip.

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