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Are you a travelling enthusiast and are worried for your health during tour? Do you fear the harmful bacteria and infectious viruses in the open water sources? Then we have your issue solved here. We bring the best water purification tablets that you can carry with you in your backpack or even in your pocket.
As we know water in open places is highly polluted since there is no one to look after it and clean it. If you end up in such a situation where you are out of water and need pure water to drink what would you do? To cope with such situations, water purification tablets are the best and easiest option.
What are water purification tablets?
These are small handy tablets just like the oral medicine you have seen. Purification tablets are used to clean all the dirt and pollution from the water leaving it disinfected and safer to drink. The tablets dissolve in water and kill all the germs and microbes making it pure and fresh.
What are different types of water purification tablets?
There are 3 different kinds of water purification tablets:
Iodine: Iodine is an effective substance used to purify water. It has the property of effectively killing most of the bacteria and viruses. But due to its ineffectiveness against certain harmful and destructive bacteria, it is not very preferred. Moreover, the tater and smell caused by iodine is also an objection by many.
Chlorine: Chlorine is being used as a water purifying agent for a long time. The process known as chlorination is used by many people to disinfect the untreated water for drinking or swimming. Chlorine is highly trusted by most of the people and is said to be effective against killing bacteria such as giardia lamblia, and other moderately harmful microbes. However, like iodine, chlorine is also that effective for cryptosporidium bacteria.
Chlorine dioxide: Chlorine dioxide is a reliable agent and known to be the most effective substance to purify water. For the very harmful and destructive microbes that iodine and chlorine are ineffective to kill, chlorine dioxide is the best and effective agent. It is also proven to work against cryptosporidium. While the iodine and chlorine tablets take a lesser time of 30 minutes to dissolve and work, chlorine dioxide takes a long 4 hours to be fully effective. Hence it is not widely used.
How to use purification tablets for treating water?
All purification tablets have a different course of action but what is important to know here is not how the tablets work but how they can be used. The process of use is the same for all tablets. Your work is the minimum, just fill your water bottle with water. Then put the correct amount of tablets in the water (avoid overdosing as instead of cleaning the water it might be harmful to your health).
Cover the bottle with a slightly loose cap that allows air to escape, after a while shake the bottle so that the tablet gets dissolved properly and mixes into the whole water. Allow the water to sit for a time period of 30 minutes to 4 hours as required. If the water you have used is of an open place, then remove the larger particles of dirt and grass so that the purifying medicine works more effectively and quickly. There! Enjoy the clean water.
Advantages of water purification tablets:
Protection against germs and microbes: Water purification tablets kill the microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, germs and pathogens that might be present in water, contaminating it and leading to serious health issues. So the water needs to be purified before drinking.
Simple to use: A very simple procedure to purify water. The tablets are very easy to use. By simply putting the tablets into the water and waiting till it dissolves completely and sits for a minimum of 30 minutes to be fully effective.
Affordable: There are a variety of ways to clean water but with tablets it is very easy and inexpensive. Since these tablets have a longer life if handled with care and stored properly, it is wise to spend money on it and you will be happy for this.
Easy to carry and portable:
You can easily carry the little tablets with you wherever you go. They are not heavy nor they require much space and are an amazing alternative to the heavy systems for water purifying specially when you are travelling or exploring. The portability of the tablets allow you to have clean water which is free of microbes and pathogens in all places.
Best for emergency situations: Purification tablets make it able for the users to have clean water in all situations, be it traveling around the country, in a forest or any natural calamity. Even in the emergency situations where you don’t have enough time for long purification methods or do not have a purification machinery at hand, tablets are the best and effective method to treat water.
Drawbacks:
With advantages, purification tablets also have some disadvantages that are important to know.
Kills only germs and microbes: The purifying tablets are meant to clean the germs and infection causing viruses and bacteria by chemical action. They don’t clean the dirt and other bigger particles. So it is recommended to filter the water first in order to get rid of the dirt particles and pollutants and then use the tablet to clean the rest of the tiny microscopic particles that cannot be filtered.
Side effects of tablets can occur: Although the water purification tablets are tested to be safe to use by all people but still as there are chemical agents they can have some side effects. It is suggested to contact the doctor in case you feel any side effect. Moreover, as care is better than cure, it is good to see the doctor before using the tablets and then following the instructions of the doctor as well as those written on the bottle of the tablet in order to prevent any health problem.
CamelBak Cleaning Tablets
As we pay most of our attention to the water we drink, we see more importance in what is in the water than where the water is. Even if we clean the contaminated water through a process and then pour it into a bottle without cleaning or disinfecting the bottle, there is no use of it. The germs in the bottle will get into the purified water and ultimately into your body.
Most of the tablets treat the water only but CamelBak has a 2 in 1 action. It purifies the water as well as the water bottle. CamelBak ensures that the water you drink is free of all the bacteria, harmful viruses and pathogens along with the water storing bottles.
For this purpose all work is done by the tablets, you can rest stress free while tablets perform their task. As you drop the tablet in the water, it begins to dissolve. You can break the tablet into half if your bottle has a smaller neck or opening. After the tablet is fully dissolved, the water will be free of microbes, tasteless and odourless.
You can relax with the assurity that the water you are drinking is highly safe without any chemicals and toxins. The water has zero level of phosphates, fragrance and preservatives as your health is the most important thing. In a purchase you will get 8 tablets which are suitable for only CamelBak water bottles so they won’t purify any other water bottle.
Pros:
- Pack of eight tablets
- Designed to break into two halves for smaller opening of bottles.
- No residue, taste or smell left after treatment
- Simpler use
- Easy to carry around
- Quick action
Cons:
- Suitable for only Camelbak water bottles.
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets With PA Plus
If you find yourself stuck in a place far off from the city and you are unable to find fresh clean water then you don’t have to worry if you have Potable Aqua Tablets. A single purchase comes with two bottles. One bottle is to purify water by killing maximum germs and infection causing bacteria and the second bottle is meant for neutralizing the taste, smell and color of the water so that it is able to drink.
The process of purification includes two steps, two tablets for killing microbes and two tablets from PA plus bottles for nullifying the aftertaste and smell. The two steps finish in approximately 35 minutes and then the water is ready to drink. The two step process ensures maximum clearance of bacteria and purification of water making it very similar to the purified and filtered water that comes in the market.
Aqua water purification tablets are used by military and other combat and travel organizations. Hence it is highly reliable and proven to provide safe drinking by disinfecting the contamination in water. The tablets are highly portable and you can carry them along with you wherever you go as they are almost weightless. They can be carried to hiking, camping, travelling, and even to the war zone by the military.
Pros:
- Trusted by Military and other emergency and travel organizations
- Filtration time is very less – 35 minutes only
- Two step purification process ensure you get pure and healthy water
- Effectively gets rid of impurities, infectious microbes and pollutants
- Simple to use
- Tasteless and can also improve the taste as well
- Portable and easy to carry around
Cons:
- You might feel little taste of iodine eve after purification
PURINIZE - Natural Water Purifying Solution
PURINIZE is the only water purifying formula that is free of all types of chemicals such chlorine, iodine and chlorine dioxide. The improved formula of Purinize uses different coagulating salts instead of chemical to treat water.
The salts have the ability to kill more than 200 varieties of impurities present in water. These include microorganisms, pathogens, bacteria, viruses, agricultural wastes, industrial chemicals, metallic waste and other small particles causing contamination in water are effectively treated by Purinize.
The ingredients are 100% free of toxins and chemicals, so there is no chance of having any kind of health issue or side effects. Since the chemical free composition has passed high standards tests like NSF/ANSI and EPA. The no chemical formula gives the treated water a good effect with no taste, smell or color.
The solution is very easy to use, you just have to add 20 drops of it into a gallon of water and then shake it to be completely mixed into the water. Although it is very easy to use, you still have to be careful and follow the instructions given on the packaging.
The totally natural ingredients in the solution gives it a long and unlimited life so you don’t have to check for the expiry date as it won’t expire. The small and handy bottle can be carried in your backpacks and travel kits when you can go for camping or hiking. If you want a non-toxic water purifying agent then Purifizer is the best option.
Pros:
- Natural ingredients and 100% chemical free
- Gets rid of all kinds of bacteria, viruses, pathogens and other impurities
- Portable, small and handy
- Passed high standard tests of EPA and NSF / ANSI.
- Unlimited shelf life with no expiry date
- Easy to use
- No taste, smell or color after use
Cons:
- Be careful of any leakage in the bottle once opened
- A long one hour is required for the water treating process
Katadyn Micropur MP1 Water Purification Tablets
Katadyn has the best quality water purification tablets. Designed specially for harmful bacteria and viruses that are a serious threat to human health, these tablets can be used for outdoors and traveling.
Like all purification tablets, Katadyn MP1 has a simple action process which requires minimum effort from your side. You have to place the tablet in a bottle containing water. A single tablet is good to go with a litre of water. As soon as you drop the tablet in the water, it starts its action and releases chlorine dioxide which is the best and strongest chemical substance against all microorganisms, bacteria, viruses etc. These tablets do not leave a taste, smell or color, instead they improve the taste and smell of the water so you can drink without any doubt and uneasiness.
It is small in size and least in weight so you can carry it along with you wherever you go. If you have sudden plans, the tablets are ready with the durable packaging with each pack having a total of 30 tablets. All the 30 tablets are sealed individually so if you open one packet to use the rest of the tablets will remain sealed and air tight which keeps intact their effectiveness and increases durability. The tablets also have passed tests and are EPA certified machining them highly safe and reliable to use for disinfecting water.
Pros:
- As much as 30 tablets in a single packet.
- Meet EPA standards for microbiological water purifiers
- Removes maximum of the harmful bacteria, viruses, and even cryptosporidium
- Least weight and easy to carry at all places
- Leaves no taste or smell and improves original taste and smell of the water as well
Cons:
- Long 4 hours of wait for filtration process
Buying Guide:
Weight of the tablets: As the water purifying tablets are like small capsules so they don’t weigh much. But if you are taking lots of tablets and bottles with you then you might feel a bit weight. So if you are going for a long journey or adventure that requires walking, try to carry less weight with you.
Ingredients and chemicals used: As explained earlier, water purification tablets come with mainly three chemicals; chlorine, iodine and chlorine dioxide. All three have a different way to treat water and have different strengths.
Although chlorine dioxide is considered to be the strongest agent to purify water but it totally depends on your choice and requirement. Chlorine dioxide takes a longer time to function whereas iodine and chlorine can be used when you want rapid action and cleaning of water. But make sure that your body is not sensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients.
Check your health problems: Although water purification tablets are one of the safest methods to clean water yet it can cause health problems to some people. Individuals who are already suffering from some medical condition are more prone to the side effects.
With the change in smell and taste of the water caused by the tablets, some people reported having headache, nausea, stomachache and related issues. People with health conditions like thyroid or kidney and liver problems and pregnant women should consult the doctor first before using the tablets.
The packaging: Water purification tablets come in different packaging. The packaging matters when it comes to the weight, space covered and the life of the tablets. If you want to go for a longer journey the packing with a less weight and less space coverage are preferred.
If you want to increase the life expectancy of the tablets then opting for the sealed tablets that come in individual wrapping will best suit you. You can open only the required tablets and the rest will remain intact without any contact with air.
Taste: The purifying drugs have a taste that might also affect the taste of the water that one might not be able to bear. It is better to look for tablets that have a fine taste. Some tablets like chlorine can be used technically to deal with the taste issue. When you put the chlorine tablet into the water let it remain untouched for some time. The clean water will sit under the chlorine layer and chlorine will eventually evaporate into the air leaving the water clean and tasteless.
Smell: Along with the taste water can also have a specific smell that might be pungent at times. You can go for some tablets that offer a sweet smell or no smell or a neutralizer can also help in order to treat the unbearable smell.
Strong against microbes: It is very important to buy purifying tablets that are effective against bacteria, viruses and other types of microorganisms. Obviously you need protection from them as they can be the most dangerous for your health and life.
Time duration to work: Different tablets need different time to work effectively. Some need less time of about 30 minutes and some take more time of up to more than hours. Try to pick the ones that take less time to action as they are considered the best ones.
FAQs:
Is it safe to use water purification tablets?
Yes, it is safe to use water purification tablets. Since they are used for killing the microbes and other viruses and bacteria so the water is clean and pure for you to drink, so the tablets cannot be harmful at all. What you need to take care of is that you are storing them properly, using the prescribed dose of tablets and keep a track of their expiry date.
How much time can a purifying tablet take to treat water?
As mentioned above, the time required to treat water varies from different purification tablets. It can take from as less as 30 minutes to 4 hours or more. The best ones take less time, so while buying it is better to choose the one that takes 30 minutes to work.
How much is the life of water purification tablets?
A sealed bottle has a life expectancy of about 5 years. But as you open up the bottle, the expectancy starts to decrease and the tablets might expire soon. When the tablets come in contact with the air their effectiveness also decreases. That is why people prefer individual packaging for each tablet as they last long with high effectiveness.
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