Bringing your own water
This option can be tricky, even for one night. Everyone has different water consumption needs, and it's good to know yours in advance. The next time you go on a long hike, pay attention to how much water you drink. This will help you plan trips longer than a day.
To stay hydrated in cool weather, you can consume about 3 liters per day. In hot weather, you can drink up to 6 liters! That's about 6kg to carry!
Water supply
The most important and often overlooked detail when it comes to water supply is knowing whether there will be water when you arrive. Seasons have a huge impact on water availability in streams and springs, as do other factors. Just because there has been water at a site all year round for 20 years does not mean it will still be there on your next trip, especially with the increasingly frequent and close intense heat cycles in recent years! Check online and with the ranger station if possible for information on water availability.
Water purification
Method 1: Filter
At Neoca, we really like the versatility of an "in-line" water filter. An in-line water filter allows you to filter from one container to another. In this setup, you will typically have a "dirty" and a "clean" bottle or water bladder. This helps prevent cross-contamination of unfiltered water into your drinking water.
You can also use tubes to attach the filter directly to a hydration bladder, which has the advantage of being very simple to do.
When choosing a water filter, one of the main things you should look for is the micron size of the filter. Generally, we recommend 0.1 micron fiber membranes. This size will be able to protect you against 99.99% of harmful bacteria such as Giardia, E. coli, protozoan cysts, Cryptosporidium, and other equally unpleasant things.
However, remember that filters may not protect you against viruses, especially if you are bike touring in a climate different from your home country. You can use a filter along with chemical treatment if you are unsure about the viral risk of your water source. Filters of this type tend to clog, leading to a sharp reduction in water flow. Each manufacturer recommends a filter backwashing method that you will need to follow to remove debris causing clogging.
Method 2: Chemical treatment
This method saves weight and space on your bike! There are a few chemical purification options, each with advantages and disadvantages.
Two-component drops:
Two-component drops leave little chemical taste in the water, but they must be carefully measured, and waiting times must be observed to properly treat a given volume of water. They can also leak if you don't make sure to close the caps properly after use. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully!
Water purification tablets:
Water purification tablets are one of the most convenient water disinfection methods, but they come at a cost. The clean water they treat has a slightly chemical taste, making it not always pleasant to swallow while riding. The active ingredient in these tablets is iodine, which reacts with certain materials. This means they absolutely must be kept in the glass container in which they are supplied.
Method 3: UV light water purification
Here's a method that might seem like science fiction! Nevertheless, it's probably the coolest method for making water drinkable. It's compact and reduces waste because there's no filter to change or single-use bottles.
You need to insert the UV pen directly into contact with the water, so you need to keep it clean. Also, since it runs on electrical energy, you need to keep in mind battery levels and potential electronic failures. A backup purification option with this method is therefore a good idea in case of a drained battery.
There are, of course, other methods for making water drinkable, such as boiling, but the methods mentioned above are your best and easiest options to implement.
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