Storing and Transporting Water

So now that you've got some ideas of how to get clean, safe to drink water, how are you going to carry that with you? There are several options available, ranging in costs from free to quite expensive. Here are a couple of options:

1. The common, everyday disposable plastic water bottle. These are available everywhere, are cheap, lightweight, and can be disposed of to get rid of weight.

2. A hydration pack. These are flexible, compact, tough water bladders that hold large quantities of water that you can carry on your back. These are great for when you don't or can't use both hands opening and closing a water bottle. Most of these have tubes that can attach/detach from the bladder and allow you to drink straight from the bladder via the tube. The only downsides to these that I have found are that they can be pretty expensive (although you can find cheap versions too), and don't let you easily pass the water around to others.

3. Metal or plastic water bottle. These are tough, yet still lightweight and can be reused indefinitely. They also allow you to pass around the water source to others. Some of the designs, like the Naglene bottles have several available attachments that will allow you to do everything from filter water, to self-sealing spouts for drinking. The downside to these bottles are they can be bulky, and cumbersome to open for drinking.

Staying Hydrated
Hydration Pack Choices
Water Bottle Choices

Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential just sitting at home on the couch, but that need is magnified when you are outside doing something physically taxing or rigorous. There are several ways to purify, store, and consume water when outside.

As far as purification of water goes, there are three basic methods that I am willing to use in the outdoors. The first is the most reliable, and least complicated at least the way I see it, is boiling water to get rid of unwanted bacteria and other pathogens. Most sources recommend boiling water for at least 1 minute to sterilize it. But remember, any time heated or boiling is better than nothing as far as getting rid of bacteria and other nasty stuff is concerned. I have used my Jetboil Zip to boil water on hiking and camping trips in the past.

Another method of purifying water so that is safe to drink is by using chemicals. Usually the recommended chemicals are iodine or chlorine. Iodine tablets are available for purification purposes at most outdoor retailers. As far as chlorine goes, simple household bleach can be used. Simply mix 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water, and let it sit for 60 minutes before drinking. 

The last, and quickest way to make water safe for drinking is by using a handmade, or store-bought filter. There are several filters available for sale at most outdoor retailers like Academy, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Gander Mountain, and even most Walmart stores. I have a simple Lifestraw Personal Water Filter that I keep in my bag for this specific purpose. I can fill up a water bottle, and drink through the Lifestraw to get clean safe water.

 If you find yourself in an emergency where none of these options are available, you can always crush some charcoal from your fire, put it inside a t-shirt, bandana, or any other type of cloth, and filter water through that. The charcoal will filter out most of the impurities and bacteria.

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Purifying Water