Taking along an outdoor water filtration system when camping in the wilderness is essential for optimal health. While streams or lakes may look pristine, potentially harmful organisms often lurk in nature’s water sources. Getting ill from water while you’re in the deep woods can put you in a compromising position with no help in sight. To ensure this doesn’t happen, use an outdoor water filter or an off grid water purification system when away from treated water. These products are also useful in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
With an outdoor water filtration system, you can filter water from almost any natural source. Filtration technology allows you to remove parasites, bacteria, viruses, and cysts, so the water you have access to will be left clean and drinkable. This includes rainwater, water from lakes, rivers, ponds and more. The off grid filtration system options available are so sophisticated, you can even filter muddy water. It’s possible to make thousands of liters of clean water, so whether you’re out in the wilderness or preparing for a potential future emergency, an off grid water filter system is an asset.
Understanding water filters
There are a variety of different outdoor water filter systems available, as well as systems designed for home use. Outdoor water filtration systems may be compact for individuals or contain larger filters for a small group or community. The difference is the total volume each system can handle: compact systems filter small volumes and are correspondingly lightweight, while group/community systems filter large volumes and are generally heavier and bulkier to carry. For water filters at home, you can find countertop models for convenience.
Depending on the filter system you have, there are different filtration stages that the water passes through. All water filtration systems are meant to eliminate harmful substances, but some systems focus on getting rid of specific contaminants. For anyone with a health condition, the type of water filtration system can be important. Most of the off grid water filtration system options remove chlorine, viruses, bacteria, cysts and parasites. Filters may be added to some models to remove fluoride and other substances.
You can get an outdoor water filtration system in a jerry can that doubles as storage and comes with optional shower attachments. There are also portable off grid water purifier options that allow you to use a pump to easily get the water you need from nature. An off grid water filter system leads the water through a filter that effectively eliminates any contaminated water.
Choosing a water filtration system
Before you choose a water filtration system, first consider what you’ll be using it for primarily. If it’s for potential emergencies while you’re at home or within reach of your car, there are specific products for larger-volume use. An outdoor water filter, on the other hand, is designed for camping and off grid adventures and eliminates the need to bring water from home when you’re going into the wilderness.
If you know you’ll have access to a natural water source, an off grid water purifier is the perfect solution. Consider how long you’ll be gone and figure out how much water you’ll need daily. Many water filtration systems require a vessel to house the water after filtering, which is something to consider. A Jerry Can outdoor water filter is capable of filtering up to 20,000 liters or 5,285 US gallons and this should suffice for even long trips out in the wilderness. This model also provides short term storage.
When shopping for an off grid water purification system for camping, look for a durable product that’s portable. Select filters that eliminate bacteria, protozoa, cysts, and viruses.
Using a water filtration system
When using an outdoor water filtration system, make sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully. These instructions will ensure you get the best results. Also, while an off grid water purifier is effective against the contaminants listed above, avoid areas that could be contaminated by other toxins to ensure safety. There is some maintenance involved in any off grid water purifier. You want to make sure to change the outdoor water filter when it’s time. Pay attention to the amount of water you’re filtering through it and replace it once it’s reached the limit.
Any off grid filtration is only going to work when it’s properly maintained, and it’s important that it does work optimally. Once you’re at home, clean your off grid water filtration system with the suggested cleaning tools and products, keeping up a regular maintenance routine as long as it’s in use.