Survival, obtaining water (avoiding cholera etc.)

[willrolt]

While out mountain walking recently, I ran out of water, so refilled my bottle from a clean looking mountain stream, which had emerged from a spring about 100 yards away, and was devoid of dead sheep, dodgy looking scum etc.

While contemplating the possible effects of this, My wife and I came to wonder:

In a survival situation (just a large bottle, no steri-tabs or similar) would we be better off:

a) Obtaining all my water from one source, on the assumption that this will limit possible sources of contamination - presumably a smaller variety of contaminants and pathogens.

b) Obtaining water from a number of sources in order to limit my intake from any one stream (the one with a dead sheep in, or the one full of lead would then only constitute a tenth of my intake rather than potentially all of it.)

A bit hypothetical, but it may be useful to know one day.

[dolphinboy]

If you find water actually bubbling out of the ground (such as a spring) my guess that's a fairly safe supply and I would use it exclusively if I could.

Since that's pretty rare and you are normally faced with streams and rivers away from their sources I would take water wherever you can and not rely on a single source since whatever pathogens might be in a single contaminated stream would be diluted by water from uncontaminated sources your ran into... assuming some were uncontaminated of course.

[ShibbOleth]

I think that clear, clean looking stream water can still put you at risk for things like giardiasis (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm) so be careful.

[Tedster]

Clear, clean and cold mountain streams can be contaminated with a number of micro-organisms which will cause serious illness. Conversely, water that is foul smelling and dirty *can* be bacteriologically safe to drink. Potable water, then, may be unpalatable, and palatable water may be unpotable. Make sense?

Of course it's best to obtain the cleanest water available but appearences can be deceiving. I suspect part of the paranoia about drinking water is fed by the makers of water filters and purifiers, but I personally never drink raw water without disinfection or filtration, or boiling.

I recall being on a search and evasion course in the mountains of south korea, where it was extremely hot and I had long ago drank my 'safe' water from canteens. I was totally parched. I came along a 1 1/2 inch pipe spouting cold, clear water from the side of a mountain. Uh-oh. Yep, it proved too much to resist. I drank deep, and it was the best tasting water I'd had in a long time. I broke my rule about never drinking untreated water, but hey.

Seems to me one wouldn't want to drink from several different sources- In a survival situation without any means of treatment I would try to stick with one source.

[Scylla]

Clorox bleach is wonderful stuff.

Put a tablespoon in a gallon of questionable water, stir, and let stand uncovered (but sheltered) for 24 hours.

you now have drinking water.

Boiling is a good idea as well.

Finally I'd have to say that if you found a spot and got water and didn't give diarhea or cramps within 24-48 hours, I wouldn't roll the dice and try another spot. I'd stick with that.

[micco]

Shibb's right, you can get some intestinal nasties from clean-looking water. IIRC, in alpine environments it's rodent feces rather than big rotting carcasses that cause the most problems.

These days, you can get filters pretty cheaply that will take out these relatively big bugs. There are several good filters built into sports bottles so you just fill them from the suspect source and the water is filtered as you squeeze it out to drink. If you're packing water anyway, it doesn't hurt to pack it in one of these so you have the filter available when the bottle is empty.

[Chronos]

As I understand it, dilution will only really help against poisons, not microorganisms: A handful of bacteria can quickly reproduce to any amount you might care to name, if the environment is right for them. Since poisons aren't usually a concern in natural water (in fact, to the extent that they do matter, a little poison is usually good), I'd say just use one source.

[manhattan]

Originally posted by Scylla
Clorox bleach is wonderful stuff.

Put a tablespoon in a gallon of questionable water, stir, and let stand uncovered (but sheltered) for 24 hours.

you now have drinking water.

Is that ratio right? It seems like an awful lot of bleach, even diluted as with Clorox.

If it's right, it's right, but I'd appreciate it if you could double check.

[andygirl]

I went on a hiking trip last fall and we used iodine to sanitize water. It has a bit of an aftertaste, but it's still quite drinkable.

[Scylla]

Originally posted by manhattan
Originally posted by Scylla
Clorox bleach is wonderful stuff.

Put a tablespoon in a gallon of questionable water, stir, and let stand uncovered (but sheltered) for 24 hours.

you now have drinking water.

Is that ratio right? It seems like an awful lot of bleach, even diluted as with Clorox.

If it's right, it's right, but I'd appreciate it if you could double check.

I'll double check (it's on the label of Clorox bottles themselves.) That way forgetful idiots like myself don't go "Well, I want this water to be really safe. Let's just put a whole cup in."

[Tedster]

Clorox is recommended for emergency use in that it is a typical household product. Use *Unscented* Bleach for this purpose, however.

For water disinfection, however, Bleach has some shortcomings- it is ph dependent and loses effectiveness in water that has a large amounts of organic matter. Iodine is much superior for chemical disinfection of raw water. Potable Aqua is one brand name for tetraglycine hydroperiodide, a safe and effective product.

Persons with thyroid disorders should not ingest products containing iodine, however.

[skaffen_amiskaw]

Like andygirl said, you can use iodine to purify water.

However, don't use the iodine purification method for more than a month or two (at the most) running, because having to constantly clean sizable amounts of iodine out of your system will damage your kidneys, so 4/5 weeks at a time is about the sensible limit for drinking iodine-purified water.

[mrSkratchy]

I once overheard somebody saying that Koolaid mix could be used to purify water. I assume this is utter nonsense, but I can't help but be curious. Anybody heard anything similar?

[Tedster]

Originally posted by mrSkratchy
I once overheard somebody saying that Koolaid mix could be used to purify water. I assume this is utter nonsense, but I can't help but be curious. Anybody heard anything similar?

Not true.

[Shiva]

Originally posted by willrolt
...refilled my bottle from a clean looking mountain stream, which had emerged from a spring about 100 yards away...(italics mine)

The closer to the source you are the safer you are. I drink spring water all the time.

[Space Otter]

I think the Kool-Aid purifies water bit is a misunderstanding of two different practices. There is nothing in Kool-Aid that will purify the water, obviously. But Kool-Aid is often added to water that has already been purified with iodine to hide the iodine aftertaste. At least that's what we used to do back in the mid-80's during my backpacking days.

Filters were a little unreliable back then and so you could be out there a few days, the filter would clog up from too much sediment and organic material, and you'd have to fall back on the fairly bad tasting iodine tablets for purification.

[Scylla]

Manhattan:

It's one teaspoon per five gallons. Oooops! I guess my water would have been extra safe. You only have to wait 15 minutes though. Read more here:

http://www.clorox.com/health/disaster/disaster5.html

[mrSkratchy]

http://www.millennium-ark.net/News_Files/LTAH_Water_Pure(2).html

This is a fairly comprehensive page about getting clean water in the event of, um, civil infrastructure breakdown, (when around your home, not in the wilderness). It's tied to some sort of christian apocalyptic Y2K site, but the info seems pretty straight-forward. Among other things, they talk about purifying water with wine. Interesting.

[manhattan]

Thanks, Scylla. All us city-dwellers who drop off our laundry and wouldn't know a bottle of Clorox if one mugged us on the subway appreciate it.

But it looks from the link like you should wait 30 minutes to make sure the bleach has done it's thing. And if not, double the dose and wait another 15.

[light strand]

If you're in the woods hiking, and it's fairly safe to say that you're not immuno-compromised, I would go for the river water that is flowing over rocks. The rocks serve as a "trickling filter" and clear the water of a fair amount of the nasties. In fact, trickling filters, are one of the steps that most municipal water systems uses to purify potable water.

If there isn't a lovely trickling stream, than I would go for the standard boiling. You can also use condensate for potable water.

[Gaspode]

I've heard that cordials can be used for water sterilisation from quite a few reliable sources. A quick search reveals that at least some kool-aid type drinks can be used for water purification.

There are several alternatives available for water purification. Some options are boiling, distilling,... or cordial (http://members.iinet.net.au/~oneilg/lds/3day.html)

It has also been reported that ordinary cordial will offer some protection. (http://www.mitsu4wdclubqld.org/tips/health-foodsafety.htm)

[evilhanz]

I have extensive backcountry experience, and have often relied on questionable sources when travelling through the wilderness. Over the years I've learned a few things about dealing with the problems of obtaining safe, potable water. For this post, I will refer to the Backpacker's Field Manual, the US Army Survival Manual, and my own experience.

First, the kinds of contamination:
Biological - any microorganisms in the water have the potential to cause serious illness or death. Giardia is quite common, particularly where large animals congregate and in beaver ponds. In the US, I understand that it is a more common ailment out west where you're likely to travel through land that has some role in ranching.
Toxic - any pesticides, debris from mining operations, heavy metals. Nothing you can do in the field will remove these contaminents - not chemical treatment, not boiling, not even distillation. Fortunately, in most cases, this kind of contamination is obvious. Although, if it isn't good luck!

Types of treatment:
Filtration - Simply removes particles larger than the membrane size of the filter being used.
Purification - A treatment which kills microorganisms

Methods of treating suspect water:
Boiling - expensive in time and fuel, but it is the surest way to destroy all microorganisms. This is purification of last resort, when your only source is a muddy, swampy, stinky hole.
Chemical Treatment - any chemical treatment varies in effectiveness depending on temperature, pH and water clarity. If the water has lots of particles in it, they should be filtered, because only the outside of the particles will be cleaned. You should wait 30 minutes after treating the water before drinking it. If you use tablets, don't start counting until the tablet is fully dissolved. Aerating the water afterwards will improve its flavor, as will adding salt, drink mixes like Kool-Aid, or hard candies. Iodine is light sensitive and has a relatively shotr shelf life. It's more effective than chlorine for treating Giardia, but will not kill the insidious Cryptosporidium. people can react poorly to iodine and some are even allergic. Iodine is available in liquid or tablet form. Chlorine is also available in both forms. It is a common alternative and works similarly.
Filtration- There are an extraordinary variety of filters on the market. In test, sports bottle filters have proven to be almost universally ineffective. Most filter manufacturers exaggerate the capabilities of their filters, so read the documentation closely. You should tailor your filter to the types of organisms you expect to encounter, paying careful attention to the pore size of your filter's membrane. Virii are as large as 0.004 microns and can pass through most filters easily. To be effective, this kind a filter should also have a purification element. Filters have become less expensive recently, but they require frequent maintenance to prevent clogging and rough handling can easily damage filters that rely on depth filters (porous materials like carbon that trap particles). Remeber, purification is the only sure way to prevent infection. Check the flow rate, too - it can take a long time to pump a 1 liter bottle. Also be aware that the business end of your filter needs to be isolated from all other elements to prevent cross-contamination.

How to pick a good water source:
1. your safest source is a spring - where the water bubbles out of the ground.
2. Never, ever drink standing water if you can help it our water that flows through cow pastures.
3. Draw water flowing over rocks instead of water swirling in pools.
4. Think about where the water might come from. If you suspect that you might be downstream from a town, or a marsh, look elsewhere if possible.
5. If you take water at a trail crossing, go upstream a few yards. As a general rule, the further upstream you travel, the less contaminated the water.
6. Clear, cold water is no guarantee of purity
7. No matter what you do, there just may be a rotting moose carcass just out of view upstream. (And it's naaaaaasty)
8. After you draw your water and treat it, be aware that you can also catch an infection from the water on the outside edge of the bottle where your lips meet, or from the water on your hands. ALWAYS clean and DRY your bottle.
9. A clean bandana or sock makes an excellent sediment filter.
10. Don't trust the locals. Locals may drink directly from a water source wihtout ill effects, but they may have developed a tolerance to whatever nasties are floating about. Don't trust animals either. They rely prmarily on smell, and may also have greater tolerances than our urban stomachs.
11. Avoid water sources where there are no green plants - it may signal that the water contains dissolved poisons like arsenic.

Your particular case:
With only a large bottle, you have two otions: boiling, or natural filtration. Pick the best water source you can find. You will need some other container to hold the filtered water. Improvise. Fill your bottle with alternating layers of sand, crushed rocks and charcoal from your fire. Fill the bottle with water slowly. Then, suspend the bottle upside down and funnel the water into your new container. Another method of filtration is to dig a hole in the sandy banks of a stream, the sand will act as a natural filter. However, if your bottle can withstand the temperatures, boiling is the only way to go.

Reality Check:
If you are in a survival situation, microorganisms in the water are the least of your worries. it takes from several days to 2 weeks for the common infections to take hold. Drink from the best source you can find and get yourself out of trouble. A few weeks of painful diarrhea are a small price to pay for saving your own life.

My Particulars:
I carry bottles of iodine tablets and sugarless drink mixes on treks of up to three weeks. I've never liked filters because of their inefficiency, cost, and pack weight. A bottle of iodine tablets and neutralizers costs about US$5. If I ever develop the urge to trek through Third World countries, I'll surely carry a combination filtration/purification system, and probably still boil. :)

Historical Anecdote:
In the 1970's human waste was airlifted by helicopter out of remote backcountry facilities in large drums. At Kinsman Pond in the Franconia Range, a pilot accidently tipped his load and it toppled into the water. Needless to say, no one drank that water for years. :) Even today, it's icky - though mostly due to sediment of a different nature.

[evilhanz]

One other aside. You may enjoy reading How to Stay Alive in the Woods by Bradford Angier. It's a classic.

[justwannano]

If you are near rivers and streams wouldn't it be safer to set up a catch system to collect dew. The op didn't specify weather he was constantly on the move.As a matter of fact drinking water from one source indicates he isn't moving.

[evilhanz]

Originally posted by justwannano
If you are near rivers and streams wouldn't it be safer to set up a catch system to collect dew.

This is an extremely inefficient method, suitable primarily for desert survival where free-flowing water is non-existant or when a crippling injury that restricts mobility. Dew collection systems usually use tarps or sheets of plastic. One large container couldn't collect enough to sustain life. Why die of thirst drinking dew when water is plentiful throughout most of North America? There's no need to be THAT cautious.