Water Filter Systems for Preppers

2/3s of the Earth is covered with water. Once you locate life saving water, do you have the means to make it drinkable? Time to discuss Water Filter Systems for Preppers!

Water Filter Systems for Preppers

I like to prioritize survival, in tough situations, against the Law of Three. No matter how confused, lost or hungry I am, I can use this simple list to take care of my priorities in the order that makes sense.

The Law of Three states that:

• Survival is only possible for three minutes without air.
• Survival is only possible for three hours without warmth.
• Survival is only possible for only three days without replenishing water in your body.
• Survival is only possible for three weeks without food.

When we look at the Law of Three, we can see that water is listed. This means that Water is essential to your survival. We’ve covered posts in finding water, now lets figure out how we can make it drinkable.

Let’s first figure out what microorganisms may be encountered in water and what size they are so we can determine the correct Water Filter Systems for Preppers.

Common microorganisms and the filter size needed:

• Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium)
  • General Size: 5 microns or larger
  • Filter Type: Water filter
  • Particle Size Rating: 1.0–4.0 microns
• Bacteria (Cholera, E. coli, Salmonella)
  • General Size: 0.2–0.5 microns
  • Filter Type: Microfilter
  • Particle Size Rating: 0.2–1.0 microns
• Viruses (Hepatitis A, rotavirus, Norwalk virus)
  • General Size: 0.004 microns
  • Filter Type: Water purifier
  • Particle Size Rating: to 0.004 microns

Data from http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml

Water Filter Systems

Home Filters (bug in, shelter in place, large camp sites, etc)

We covered the Big Berkey (the top gravity filter in the entire universe), as well as the Do It Yourself (DIY), more affordable model on this post: DIY Home Water Filter

Portable Filters (backpacking, camping, bug out, etc)

Katadyn is our “Go To” filters for portable filters when we camp or backpack in the wild!

Katadyn produces a fantastic line of portable water filter systems. Their element filters all microorganisms larger than 0.3 microns, but their better systems will go down to 0.2 microns.  Katadyn filters meet the industry standards for reduction of bacteria (99.9999% Klebsiella terrigena) and protozoan cysts (99.9 % Giardia and Cryptosporidium).

• Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter (0.2 microns)
  • Capacity: 13,000 gallons / 50,000 liters
  • Dimensions: 24 by 6 centimeters / 10 by 2.4 inches
  • Output: 1 quart/liter per minute
  • Technology: 0.2 micron ceramic depth filter (cleanable)
  • Weight: 550 grams / 20 ounces
  • 20 year warranty
• Katadyn Mini Microfilter (0.2 microns)
  • Exclusive silver impregnated ceramic filter removes bacteria and protozoa
  • 0.2 micron ceramic depth cleanable filter
  • Equipped with Prefilter and carry bag
  • Materials: Silver-impregnated ceramic filter, plastic
  • Small enough to fit in your pocket, the Katadyn Mini Microfilter is perfect for light solo use during travel and day-hiking
  •  Katadyn’s lightest, most compact filter (about 10oz whey dry)
• Katadyn Vario Multi Flow Water Microfilter (0.3 microns)
  • Output: Up to 2 quarts (2 liters) per minute
  • Cartridge Capacity: Up to 500 gallons (1875 liters)
  • Weight: 15 ounces
  • Height: 6.5 inches
  • Hose Length: 36 inches
  • Includes prefilter, cleaning pad, and deluxe carry bag
  • Attaches directly to Nalgene bottles!
• Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter Water Filter (0.3 microns)
  • Removable filter protector extends cartridge life
  • Quick connect fittings make installation and removal of input and output hoses easy
  • Connects directly to hydration packs with 1/4″ drink tubes
  • 129 square inches of pleated 0.3 micron glassfiber media with activated carbon core
  • 1 Quart (1 Liter) per minute, 300 gallon (1150 Liters) cartridge capacity

Straw Filters (backpacking, camping, bug out, emergency use, etc)

• LifeStraw Personal Water Filter – (0.2 microns) We have one of these in each of our bug out bags and in each vehicle!
  • Removes a minimum of 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria per manufacturer.(>LOG 6 reduction)
  • LifeStraw® offers easy access to clean and safe drinking water away from home!
  • Filters up to 1000L of contaminated water per the manufacturer.
  • Removes a minimum of 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites per manufacturer.
  • Reduces water turbidity by filtering particles of approximately 0.2 microns.
  • $29.88 on Amazon.com
  • $19.95 w/Free shipping on http://www.campingsurvival.com (read the reviews on Amazon, but save over $10 at campingsurvival.com)
• Pure Water Straw-Advanced (2 microns, NOT .2 or .02 microns, but 2 microns)
  • Up to 25-gallon filter life
  • Now with BIOSAFE, removes up to 99.99% of bacteria, virus, contaminants and pollutants found in drinking water
  • Non-toxic BPA free materials.
  • Tested by Independent laboratories using EPA /ANSI protocols and NSF Standards 42 and 53.
  • ideal for everyday use; put in your pocket, purse, briefcase or car glove compartment.
  • Advanced filter removes virus and bacteria to six logs (99.9999%).
  • Waterproof carrying case.
  • Use in conjunction with treatment drops or tablets for best results
• Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter System (3 microns, NOT .3 or .03 microns, but 3 microns)
  • Emergency water filter system ideal for hiking, traveling, and emergencies
  • Particle blend removes more than 99.9 percent of cryptosporidium and Giardia
  • Compact body slips easily into a daypack, shirt pocket, or travel bag
  • Single unit filters up to 30 gallons of water; improves tastes and eliminates odors
  • Weighs less than 1 ounce;
  • Use in conjunction with treatment drops or tablets for best results

You should also carry water treatment drops or tablets with you to provide redundancy in the even of equipment loss or failure of your water filter systems.

Water weighs about 8lbs per gallon. Each person requires about 1 gallon of water per day for drinking an hygiene uses. This makes it hard to carry enough water to survive, and this is what makes Water Filter Systems for Preppers so important!

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