All of us have heard the stories of those who have drank the water in a foreign country and gotten ill as a result. Drinking water that does not agree with our systems is not difficult to do when traveling to other countries. Being prepared with a portable water filter is one of the best ways to protect yourself from experiencing the onslaught of a variety of gastrointestinal problems.
If you live in the US then you are used to water that has been heavily treated to prevent disease. However when we treat our water so thoroughly we loose, or never develop a resistance to organisms that are common in many other places. As a result, when we are exposed to these organisms by drinking the water our bodies react to remove them (and remove them quickly!).
The most common of these offenders are cysts. Cysts are very small organisms that can only be removed by forcing your drinking water through a filter. Giardia and cryptosporidium are the most common but there are others. Cysts are so small that only a very fine water filter can remove them. Cryptosporidium measure about 3 to 5 microns and giardia are 7 to 14 microns.
So just how do you get rid of these nasty little offenders while traveling? The best way is filtration. Water purification tablets or simple chlorine may have some benefit but they are not even close to being as efficient at removing bacterial contaminants as the appropriate portable water filter. On top of that you are ingesting the contaminants you just put in your water to remove the cysts and bacteria.
The Katadyn (pronounced K-ta-dine) Vario is one of the best selling portable filtration systems because it is efficient and easy to use. There are 3 stages to the Vario’s filtration; a high performance glass-fiber filter, a ceramic pre-filter and activated charcoal filter. It will produce up to two liters of drinking water per minute and is compatible with most water bottle and bladder systems. The ceramic pre-filter filters to 1,800 gallons per hour. The activated carbon improves the taste and helps to eliminate chemicals from the water. It will easily fit into your suitcase with traveling dimensions of 7.5 x 4 ” and only weighing 15oz. The retail price for the Katydyn Vario is $89.95, a lasting investment well worth the price.
Another Katadyn product is the Pocket Microfilter Portable Water Filter. This filtration system is more compact than the Vario providing more space for other items in your luggage. The filtration media is a silver impregnated ceramic element that is effective in protecting you from bacteria and protozoa by offering filtration to 0.2 microns. The filter is cleanable, saving you money by lasting longer. The output is about 1 quart per minute and will last up to 13,000 gallons. The weight is 20oz and measures 10 x 2.4 “. The list price for this Katadyn Pocket Microfilter is $289.95.
While traveling, you may want to consider a water bottle filter for a more simple solution to your drinking water needs. Many companies make them including Katadyn, Aquasana, Body Glove, ISS, AquaMira and just about anyone else that wants to slap a label on a water bottle filter and market it as their own product. Some of these are of good quality and some are not. As with all purchases you should do your research to be sure you are getting good quality for the price you are paying. I still feel that a system such as the Vario or the Pocket Microfilter is the most economical in the long run and safest and best for your personal health.
