Choosing a Water Treatment

Tablets & Drops

Tablets and drops work through a chemical process. After adding the tablets or drops to the contaminated water, the chemicals neutralise the viruses, bacteria and other harmful organisms contained within.

Because of the way in which these products work, it can take upwards of 20 minutes for them to be fully effective. They can also alter the taste, smell and colouration of the water after they are added.

Unlike filters, tablets and drops will not remove particle matter such as silt or harmful chemicals from the water.

Filters & Purifiers

At its simplest, these work by straining water through them. They trap and remove silt and particle matter, some right down the size scale to bacteria and water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

Some filters use activated carbon to further remove chemical and organic compounds to make water even safter and taste better.

Purifiers frequently incorporate an extra chemical stage to kill organisms too small to be filtered.

Many filters and purifiers can be damaged by high dirt loads or salty water.

Name:
LifeSystems Chlorine Dioxide Tablets

Type:
Tablets (30)

Method:
Very safe and highly effective
Leaves no taste or smell
Better protection than ordinary chlorine tablets

LifeSystems Chlorine Tabs

Type:
Tablets (72)

Method:
Suitable for long term use
Efficient killing of organisms
Treats up to 72 litres per pack

Name:

British Berkefeld Gravity Filter

Type:
Filter

Method:
No need for electricity or chemical treatment
Up to 80 litres of safe water per day
Used by many of the worlds major aid and relief organisations

Name:
MSR Miniworks Microfilter

Type:
Filter

Method:
Very robust
Field-serviceable
Can handle dirty water