What’s in Your Water? A Fun (and Useful) Guide to Purifying It

Let’s be real, clean water isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s non-negotiable. If the tap runs dry, the power’s out, or you find yourself hiking a little farther than planned, having safe drinking water becomes a top priority fast.

Good news: you don’t need to be a wilderness survival expert or live off-grid to get the basics down. Whether you’re prepping at home or adventuring in the wild, here’s your crash course in keeping your water clean, your stomach happy, and your situation under control.

Why Bother Purifying Water?

Just because it looks clear doesn’t mean it’s clean. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and weird chemicals don’t always show up on cue with neon signs. Trust us—you do not want to learn the hard way via a surprise round of stomach gymnastics.

At-Home Water Purification: No Wilderness Required

You don’t have to be halfway through a zombie apocalypse to start thinking about water readiness. Here’s how to keep things safe right in your own kitchen:

🔥 Boiling

• Simple. Reliable. Free.
• Bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute (or three if you’re at high elevation).
• Kills off the microscopic nasties. Doesn’t do much for chemicals, but it’s still a go-to move.

💧 Countertop Filters (Like Berkey or Gravity-Fed Systems)

• These are the MVPs of low-effort water purification.
• No electricity needed. Just fill it up and let gravity do the work.
• Filters out bacteria, protozoa, and even some chemicals depending on your setup.

☣ Bleach (Yes, Really)

• Unscented household bleach can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
• Dosage: 2 drops per liter (or 8 drops per gallon), mix it up, and wait 30 minutes.
• Pro tip: You should smell a faint chlorine scent—if not, add a couple more drops and wait again.
• Weird? Yes. Effective? Also yes.

🫙 Water Storage Basics

• Rule of thumb: 4 liters per person per day (and don’t forget pets).
• Store water in food-grade containers, and rotate every 6–12 months if untreated.
• Bonus points if you label your stash so you’re not guessing later.

Wild Water: You’re Not in the Kitchen Anymore

Creeks, lakes, snowmelt, and nature’s water sources look dreamy… until you remember what raccoons do upstream. Here’s how to sip smart when you’re off-grid.

🧃 Portable Filters

• Lifestraw, Sawyer Mini, pump filters—you’ve got options.
• Filters out bacteria and protozoa. Some advanced models get viruses, too.
• Light, easy to use, and absolutely worth the backpack space.

💡 UV Purifiers

• These little gadgets zap bacteria and viruses using ultraviolet light.
• They are super portable, but they run on batteries and work best with clear water.
• Think of them as your digital water wizard.

💊 Purification Tablets or Drops

• Iodine or chlorine dioxide tablets are lightweight and travel-friendly.
• They take about 30–60 minutes to work. Slight chemical flavor, but it beats intestinal regret.
• Great as a backup method when filters fail or freeze.

🔥 Old-School Boiling

• Yup, it works in the wild too.
• If you’ve got a fire or a backpacking stove, you’ve got clean water (just don’t forget your pot).

What About Snow and Ice?

Snow isn’t magically sterile. Always melt it first—and then treat it like any other water source.

Also: don’t just eat snow to hydrate. It’ll drop your core temp faster than you think. Melt it, then purify it. Trust us on this one.

Water purification doesn’t need to be intimidating or high-tech. It just needs to be done. Build your kit, test your gear, and know your go-to methods before you’re stuck in a bind.

Whether you’re prepping for a storm, gearing up for a hike, or just having peace of mind, being water-ready is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Need help choosing the right gear?

We’ve got filters, tablets, storage containers, and friendly advice at Alpenglow Readiness Supply. Swing by or check out our online shop; we’ll help you stay ready without overcomplicating it.