WATER FILTERING SYSTEMS

One subject that is always of concern when you go camping is your water supply. With bottled water so readily available many campers opt to take along their own water, but that can be expensive. And if you’re planning on an extended stay somewhere bringing all the water you need may take up a lot of space in your vehicle. On the other hand, most campgrounds have safe water available for drinking, cooking, and washing, but it may have minerals in it that give it a funny taste. Another option is to filter the water available at your campsite. There are many filtering systems available that can supply you and your family with enough safe, fresh water for drinking without a lot of effort.

Reliance LifeGuard Bacteria Filter

The Reliance LifeGuard bacteria filter comes in a kit with a seven-gallon Reliance water container. It’s easy to use. Simply attach the filter to the screw-on spigot; the water is filtered as it is drawn through the spigot. The 0.3-micron filter meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for bacteria, giardia, and cryptosporum and will clean 200 gallons of water. The polyethylene container includes a water-level indicator.

MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter

The MSR (Mountain Safety Research) MiniWorks EX filters up to one liter of water per minute. The filter’s ceramic element is long lasting and is easy to clean, even out in the field. Just use the included scrub pad for full filter recovery. No tools are needed to disassemble the lightweight unit. This system exceeds EPA requirements for bacteria, protozoa (giardia and cryptosporum), and particulate, and the filter’s carbon core gets rid of any unpleasant taste or smell.

Katadyn Drip Gravidyn

This filtering system from Switzerland works on gravity. The 36-inch-tall unit is divided into two 2.5-gallon containers. Pour your unfiltered water into the top part. As it flows through the bottom section it is cleaned by three ceramic/carbon filters. Access the filtered water through the dripless spigot. The filters can be cleaned with the included abrasive pad and will provide up to six months of steady use.