Depending upon the size of your group, that COULD amount to quite a large amount of water. Ironically, having spent a lot of time in areas where blizzards routinely knocked out power, extreme cold caused pipes to freeze, etc., we have very few collective memories of people rushing out to purchase water as part of their pre-storm shopping. Just bread, milk, eggs, candles, batteries… and in many cases (literally) beer.

Moral of the Story?

Don’t forget the water! No matter how you have store or create it through appropriate filtering techniques, you will need safe, clean drinking water.

Interested in removing potential contaminants from your travel-time faucets? We’ve found a device that may come in handy. The Countertop Portable Water Filter touts itself as “ideal for those on the go! Whether taking your family on vacation or going on a business trip, you can enjoy safe and great tasting water anywhere.”

Making use of four separate filter stages to remove unwanted contaminants, the Countertop Portable Water Filter from Crystal Quest claims to remove (or significantly reduce) contaminants including such things as silt, sediment, cyst (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), sand, rust, dirt, chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, cadmium, aluminum, copper, zinc, organic contaminants, such as chlorine (99.9%), chemicals linked to cancer (THM’s, benzene) pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), PCB’s, MTBE’s, and many others.

How could a portable unit like the accomplish all those tasks?

Simple: Use ion exchange resin that meets standard NSF/ANSI 61 & 42 and bears the WQA Seal. Then, use GAC (granular activated carbon) and KDF filtration media that meets standard NSF/ANSI 42… and throw in pre and post one micron pads from ISO 9001 approved manufacturers for good measure.

Our opinion? For well under $100 this device should make a great addition to any Summer fun location whose water could use a little… improvement.

How can you tell if your Summer fun spot’s water could use a little improvement?

Simple: Test the water. Did we REALLY have to tell you that? 😛

Ever wonder if someone made a convenient way to fill reusable personal water bottles with clean, filtered drinking water? If so, then our recent find will make your day.

The Filtrete Four Bottle Water Station allows people to pour water in the top of the device for and simultaneously fill four reusable portable water bottles with filtered drinking water.

Pretty neat, huh? We thought so. Oh, and no, the bottles do NOT contain BPA.

What does the unit filter out? Predominantly it seems to reduce the the offensive taste and of chlorine and remove unwanted sediment. While not the most thorough filter, it ought to work great for people looking for a quick means of making their tap/city water taste better.

Inside the Filtrete Four Bottle Water Station you will find an easily replaced and very affordable Filtrete Fast Flow Filter which should last for around 100 gallons (or roughly 3 months).

Worried that you will forget to change the filter? Not a problem. The Filtrete Fast Flow Filter has a convenient indicator that lets you know when to replace the filter in your Filtrete Water Station.

As if the convenience of this unit did not already say enough, according to the manufacturer this water filter system also uses recyclable water filters.

And let us not forget about all the natural disasters and floods which render public water supplies temporarily undrinkable. Having the proper supplies and equipment on-hand when disaster strikes can DEFINITELY mean the difference between life and death.

A company called Katadyne manufactures a full line of personal and portable water filtration systems for use just about anywhere. Below you will see an example of a simple, portable water filtration systems designed by Katadyne.

Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter Water Filter
Katadyn Hiker Pro

The Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter is the number one selling microfilter for outdoor use. This compact and light weight backpacking microfilter removes Bacteria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. The Hiker Pro is easy to operate and has a high water output system with an AntiClog pleated filter cartridge that outputs up to 1 quart of water per minute! Using microfilter technology the Hiker Pro not only removes bacteria but also reduces bad taste and odor from your drinking water. The Hiker Pro Microfilter comes with a Prefilter, Universal Bottle Adaptor, Carrying Bag, Field Maintenance Kit and Quick Connect Fittings. The cartridge capacity of this fitler is up to 200 gallons depending on water quality. Weight: 11 oz Height: 6.5″ X 3″ Hose Length: 36″ Technology: .3 Micron Pleated Glassfiber removes Bacteria, Cysts and Sediment Output: Appox. 1 quart per minute with 48 easy strokes Removes: 99.9999% klebsiella terrigena, 99.99% Giardia and CryptosporidiumContents:1 Hiker Pro Water Microfilter 1 Anti Clog Microfilter Cartridge 1 Removable Filter Protector 2 Quick Connect Hose Sets 1 Hydration Connector 1 Intake Hose with Modular Prefilter 1 Output Hose with Universal Bottle Adapter 1 Deluxe Carry Bag.

Katadyn Exstream Personal Water Bottle Purifier
Katadyn Exstream

The Katadyn Exstream Personal Water Purifier makes staying hydrated while biking, camping, backpacking, or trekking convenient and safe. Just dip your Exstream Bottle in any lake or stream and you’re ready to go. Using Virustat Technology, microfiltration, and carbon the Exstream is the only EPA registered purification bottle that removes all organisms from your drinking water, including viruses. This also makes the Exstream Personal Water Purifier ideal for international travel and for emergency use. The new carry loop makes it easier than ever! Bottle Capacity: 26 oz Filter Cartridge Capacity: 160 Refills up to 26 gallons Weight: 7 oz Height: 11″ Advanced Virustat Technology kills 99.9999% of waterborne viruses. Removes 99.9% of waterborne protozoa such as Giardia Easy to use. Purifies water without pumps, hoses or seperate containers. Carbon Prefilter removes sediment, elimates odors and improves taste EPA registered water filter bottle Contents: 1 Exstream Sports Bottle 1 Carry Loop 1 Virustat Microbial Water Purification Cartridge 1 Owners Manual ** Please Note: This cartridge contains iodine resin. Persons with iodine allergies or thyroid problems and pregnant women should consult their doctor before using this device because small amounts of iodine may remain in the treated water.