When you’re out and about this summer, it’s important to make sure you have clean water with you. While you might have plenty of clean water at home with a Berkey water filter, it’s not always easy to make sure you’re drinking non-contaminated water when you travel. Having a clean source of water helps ensure that you stay hydrated in the sun and heat while also preventing you from getting sick from drinking contaminated water. Should you filter or purify your drinking water while you’re traveling? Consider the following before making that decision.
Filtering Water
Filtering water involves removing dirt and other contaminants, such as plastic, as well as some types of bacteria and protozoa that can cause illness. Depending on where you’ll be traveling, filtering rather than purifying might be all that’s needed for clean water. For example, traveling in more remote areas, such as national parks, means you won’t be at as much risk of being exposed to high levels of bacteria, viruses and other germs. Filtering during these kinds of trips should be enough to give you clean water.
Keep in mind that filters come in different types and offer varying amounts of protection from bacteria and other contaminants. Some filters mainly improve the taste of drinking water, while others offer higher protection from parasites, bacteria and other microbes.
Purifying Water
Purifying water involves destroying or removing germs or organisms that could make you sick, including viruses. This is usually done through chlorine or other chemicals, although there are other ways to purify water. Boiling it helps kill bacteria and other germs. You can also invest in travel purification products to bring with you to ensure clean and healthy water. This is an important part of reducing your risk of serious illness while you’re traveling.
You should look into water purification if you’ll be traveling to areas that aren’t known for having clean sources of water, especially if you’ll be in more populated areas. These areas can raise your risk of exposure to viruses, bacteria and other germs.
Filtering and Purifying Water
To get a high amount of protection from germs and other contaminants while traveling, consider doing both. Filtering and purifying your water helps ensure that you’re removing as many potential sources of illness as possible. If you plan to filter and purify, make sure you choose products that you can use multiple times throughout the day.
Get Clean Water with a Berkey Water Filter
Having a Berkey water filter means you can count on having clean water at all times. When you’ll be traveling, bring a Travel Berkey with you. The Travel Berkey bundle includes two Black Berkey purification elements, one priming washer and one BPA-free nylon spigot. You’ll also get instructions for backcountry use, as well as home use. Contact us to learn more about the Travel Berkey for your next trip.
