Water Purification

**Team Sergeant** · 11-01-2013, 10:23

Water Purification

Because I live in a desert and also because just about every outdoor water "source" here in Arizona is contaminated (a lot of it is mercury from all the mining days) I made a purchase of my idea of the ideal bugout water purification device.

And because I live in a desert my idea of bugout is a vehicle loaded with what I need for long term survival. IMO sheltering in place in the Valley of the Sun with 6-7 million individuals is NOT an option.

My Royal Berkey water filter just arrived. I got it with 4x black filters.

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/royal-berkey.html

koz · 11-01-2013, 10:46

I've had a Royal Berkey for about a year and I've consumed more water than ever before. I find the water tastes really good (or I guess lack of chemical taste).

Only warning - when you fill it up, make sure the bottom is nearly empty. Otherwise it will overflow where the top and bottom meet.

As far as bugging out, you may consider keeping some coffee filters handy so you can filter out the sediment prior to putting the water (assuming it's lake / pond water) in the berkey.

**The Reaper** · 11-01-2013, 11:43

An excellent purchase, along with prefiltration and spare filters.

TR

**Team Sergeant** · 11-01-2013, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

An excellent purchase, along with prefiltration and spare filters.

TR

I forgot to add I also purchased the 4x white filters and spare parts kit!

spottedmedic111 · 11-01-2013, 12:27

Whoa. My math shows enough drinking water/person for 16-32 years on one set of filters, depending on amount consumed. Now add 487-974 cases of MREs to cover the same period of time (j/k of course).

**The Reaper** · 11-01-2013, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I forgot to add I also purchased the 4x white filters and spare parts kit!

Be careful of the black filters, they have a history of coming unglued at the base.

You can put a few drops of food coloring in the water periodically to ensure that they are still functioning properly. If the water in the lower chamber is red or pink, there is a leak in the filter.

The white filters have not had that sort of problems.

TR

**Roguish Lawyer** · 11-01-2013, 16:13

I just sent links to Catwoman for Christmas.

mugwump · 11-01-2013, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Water Purification

Because I live in a desert and also because just about every outdoor water "source" here in Arizona is contaminated (a lot of it is mercury from all the mining days) I made a purchase of my idea of the ideal bugout water purification device.

And because I live in a desert my idea of bugout is a vehicle loaded with what I need for long term survival. IMO sheltering in place in the Valley of the Sun with 6-7 million individuals is NOT an option.

My Royal Berkey water filter just arrived. I got it with 4x black filters.

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/royal-berkey.html

The Berkey is a classic, good choice. Per usual TR gives good advice. Give the black filters a full test. The white ceramic ones are bomb-proof but won't remove mercury like the black ones.

TS, I know this falls into the "teaching granny how to suck eggs" category, but if you're not in the first 5%-10% to leave, you'll be stuck. Ditto for LA, NY, Chicago. Even with full contra flow on all highways and maximal use of secondary roads, it's a no go for the last 90% if you live in a city with an 'F' on the evacuation score card. They call it a "profound concern."

Emergency Evacuation Scorecard

**Team Sergeant** · 11-01-2013, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugwump

The Berkey is a classic, good choice. Per usual TR gives good advice. Give the black filters a full test. The white ceramic ones are bomb-proof but won't remove mercury like the black ones.

TS, I know this falls into the "teaching granny how to suck eggs" category, but if you're not in the first 5%-10% to leave, you'll be stuck. Ditto for LA, NY, Chicago. Even with full contra flow on all highways and maximal use of secondary roads, it's a no go for the last 90% if you live in a city with an 'F' on the evacuation score card. They call it a "profound concern."
Emergency Evacuation Scorecard

I can only think of one emergency that would cause the Valley to leave immediately that that is one of the 3 nuclear reactors close by to malfunction. If you have a 4x4 (which I do) there are hundreds of dirt roads to get out of the Valley on. Thousands of illegals use them every day around here....

mugwump · 11-01-2013, 21:11

If you're on foot I feel pretty safe recommending a Steripen. It uses UV light to scramble the DNA of any nasties. I've used it for about two weeks total in Honduras and hiking the Corcovado in Costa Rico but my daughter has used one for the last 7 months in Vietnam, Tibet, Cambodia, etc. Ours are the older ones that use two CR123A, but they have new versions that use NIMH AAs, solar power, hand crank, etc. The daughter is pretty suspicious of tech solutions but hasn't been let down by this device. She hiked to the Everest base camp where the sanitary conditions are questionable ("f***ing gross" was her technical description) and she was fine when even the Sherpas had the squirts. We both prefilter with paper coffee filters if the water it's goopy. She carries a Surefire toe-popper full of batts on really long segments--she really hates chem treated water.

Pros: no chemical taste; works as well on cold or warm water; only takes 60/90 seconds for 16/32 oz.; small and light; (huge to me) if you're in an area where water is plentiful you don't need to hump excess water because you can get another 32 oz in 90 secs. I'm convinced the "chem" people I've hiked with got sick because they rushed things when thirsty and didn't give the iodine or whatever time to work.

Cons: batteries, only 50 liters per set (although if you're recharging less of an issue); it's a device, and devices break--you need Aquapure as backup.

mugwump · 11-01-2013, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

If you have a 4x4 (which I do) there are hundreds of dirt roads to get out of the Valley on. Thousands of illegals use them every day around here....

Ha. I stand corrected, Granny.

Barbarian · 11-02-2013, 14:52

Quote:

My Royal Berkey water filter just arrived. I got it with 4x black filters.

We've been using the 4gallon Berkey in my house for 3 years. It filters parasites well.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 12-15-2013, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

I just sent links to Catwoman for Christmas.

LOL, this unit is for some reason not legal in CA!!!!! I have to find a place out of state to ship it, then bring it in myself.

Go ahead, start piling it on . . .

**Team Sergeant** · 12-15-2013, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

LOL, this unit is for some reason not legal in CA!!!!! I have to find a place out of state to ship it, then bring it in myself.

Go ahead, start piling it on . . .

Let me know and I'll do a straw purchase for you......

Beef · 12-21-2013, 15:54

TS quote: " My Royal Berkey water filter just arrived. I got it with 4x black filters."

I have never heard of these. Checked out the link and I have to say, I'm really impressed. Especially by the output/cost ratio. This is great for the hurricane zone. I won't even have to grovel to the wife to justify one. Amazing what I've learned here! Thanks, TS!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugwump

If you're on foot I feel pretty safe recommending a Steripen. It uses UV light to scramble the DNA of any nasties. I've used it for about two weeks total in Honduras and hiking the Corcovado in Costa Rico but my daughter has used one for the last 7 months in Vietnam, Tibet, Cambodia, etc. Ours are the older ones that use two CR123A, but they have new versions that use NIMH AAs, solar power, hand crank, etc. The daughter is pretty suspicious of tech solutions but hasn't been let down by this device. She hiked to the Everest base camp where the sanitary conditions are questionable ("f***ing gross" was her technical description) and she was fine when even the Sherpas had the squirts. We both prefilter with paper coffee filters if the water it's goopy. She carries a Surefire toe-popper full of batts on really long segments--she really hates chem treated water.

Pros: no chemical taste; works as well on cold or warm water; only takes 60/90 seconds for 16/32 oz.; small and light; (huge to me) if you're in an area where water is plentiful you don't need to hump excess water because you can get another 32 oz in 90 secs. I'm convinced the "chem" people I've hiked with got sick because they rushed things when thirsty and didn't give the iodine or whatever time to work.

Cons: batteries, only 50 liters per set (although if you're recharging less of an issue); it's a device, and devices break--you need Aquapure as backup.

Mug, I had looked into Steripens, I guess, 3-4 years ago. The most common complaint was that they did not hold up well in hot, humid climates. So I didn't invest in one. But based on your daughter's experience, those short comings have been corrected. I'll give them another look now. Thanks for posting!