How Would You Purify Water at Camp?

Most campers minimize the amount of gear they carry. To avoid carrying water, some campers will drink water they collect along the trail. However, water collected from any outdoor source -- lake, river, etc. -- must be purified before drinking due to the risk of illness caused by microorganisms in the water. Although some campers carry bleach or iodine tablets to purify water, these methods require exact measurements and are not always completely effective. The simplest and most effective method for purifying water is boiling.

Things You'll Need

• Metal pot
• Piece of cloth
• Two water containers

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Collect the water in a container. Hold the cloth over the end of the container, and pour water into the metal pot. The cloth will strain debris like algae and insect eggs.

   • 2

     Boil water for at least one minute. If you are at an elevation of 6,500 feet or higher, boil for at least three minutes. The boil should be a rolling boil -- bubbles should rise to the surface very quickly and constantly for the time recommended.

   • 3

     Allow water to cool. Pour water into separate container designated for purified water.