How to manage water when traveling when it is not drinkable?
Water on the go
It is not always easy to find good quality water during a trip to the end of the world or in an unknown country. If you are not sure of its purity, the best solution is to purify it.
Precautionary measures to take
Water is a vital element for the human body. However, drinking water of dubious cleanliness represents a danger to the health of the traveler, in particular because of the possible presence of bacteria, parasites or viruses. The risks of disease are real if you drink undrinkable water: from the simple "tourista", which is well known to holidaymakers, to typhoid fever, through simple diarrhea, cholera or even hepatitis Has been.
In order to avoid these inconveniences, be vigilant by always drinking unopened bottled mineral water or which has been decapsulated in front of you. Avoid tasting homemade fruit juices and ice cubes if you have no assurance of the quality of the water used to make them. The same is true for raw vegetables, vegetables and unpeeled fruits which may have been washed with non-potable water.
How to make water drinkable?
There are different techniques to purify water while traveling or hiking.
By boiling: Be aware that the time required to bring water to a boil increases with altitude: if it is less than one minute at sea level, it takes several minutes to reach its boiling temperature at an altitude of 4500 meters. Let the water settle for a few hours before boiling it to allow suspended substances to settle to the bottom of the container. Apart from the stove, plan a bottle or a clean thermos to decant the boiled liquid.
The main advantage of this method is that it kills all microorganisms, viruses and bacteria. It is also quite practical for hikers who are often equipped with a stove. Finally, the water collected in this way allows you to cook without fear. However, this method requires some time and the water obtained, which tastes rather bland, cannot be drunk immediately because it is hot.
By chemical purification: this technique uses chemical components (such as bleach, chlorine or iodine) to obtain drinking water. Provide two containers, the first will be used to carry out the disinfection and the second to collect the treated water. Often presented in the form of tablets, chemical purifiers are to be added to the water in the proportions prescribed by the manufacturers. After decanting the precious liquid into the second container, it must be left to rest between 15 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the product used, before drinking it.
Chemical purifiers have the advantage of being inexpensive, light and compact. They are very effective because a single tablet can purify several liters of water. On the other hand, they eliminate almost all viruses and bacteria. However, they give the water a bad taste and are only effective if it is sufficiently clear and at a certain temperature. It is also necessary to wait to be able to use the water obtained. In addition, regularly resorting to this technique risks damaging the intestinal flora. Finally, it is not suitable for pregnant women or individuals suffering from glandular or blood diseases.
By filtration: the passage of water through a filter eliminates the organisms and particles it contains. Cartridge or membrane, ceramic or fiberglass, mechanical or associated with other chemical treatments, the filters have various pore sizes to meet the specific needs of users. Water must be poured through the membrane to collect it in a clean container.
This method is quite fast, as it can purify a large amount of water in a few minutes. Filters with microscopic pores eliminate a large part of microorganisms and bacteria and you can drink the water immediately after the operation. However, the price of the equipment is relatively high and the filters must be cleaned frequently to prevent them from clogging. Finally, not all viruses are eliminated, the smallest ones can pass through the filter.
By ultraviolet radiation: a device is immersed in the container containing the water to be purified. The ultraviolet radiation emitted will neutralize the micro-organisms and prevent them from reproducing. Then just stir the liquid for a few minutes and the water is ready for consumption.
Quick and practical, this technique is very effective because it kills almost all harmful organisms. Often presented in the form of a pen, the device is compact. However, it requires batteries and is quite expensive. It is also relatively fragile while being ineffective against chemical pollutants.
Tips for purifying water while traveling
It is advisable to keep a spare solution in reserve in case your purification device is out of order.
Strictly take care of your hygiene by changing regularly and using clean linen each time.
As soon as the first symptoms of an illness caused by unsafe drinking water appear, consult a doctor immediately . Also wash your hands with drinking water or a liquid disinfectant so as not to contaminate your loved ones and the environment. To leave with peace of mind, take out travel insurance that will cover, if necessary, your poisoning-related illnesses.
A vital element for human beings, water becomes even more precious when you travel. Several methods are available to allow you to purify it and avoid the risk of disease. Discover on the ACS website a whole series of advice for traveling without fear. What do you think of these methods? Do you know of any other techniques for purifying water while traveling?
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