Water Purification Tablets – Why You Should Have Some by Ken Jorgustin for Modern Survival Blog
GNN Note – This is a stealth method of having drinkable water. If you boil water odds are there will be a fire and that could create all kinds of issues.
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There are several methods for emergency disinfection of drinking water. Each with their own attributes and effectiveness.
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One method to treat water for drinking is to use water purification tablets.
WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS – ADVANTAGES
1. SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT
A typical small bottle (50 tablets) of the most popular brand (Potable Aqua) will treat 25 quarts of water.
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
(comes with ‘neutralizing’ tablets to help offset the iodine taste)
It’s easy to do and takes up very little space in a pack compared to a portable filter. I’m not degrading the usefulness of a good portable water filter! Instead I’m pointing out another alternative.
Note that boiling water will ensure safe drinking (except for any potential chemical contamination).
Continue reading: How Long to Boil Water for Safe Drinking
2. FAST
It’s fairly time efficient. The tablets listed above will treat water in about 30 minutes.
3. NO FUEL REQUIRED
No need to use fuels for boiling water.
4. NO PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER
In cold temperatures filter membranes and mechanisms can rupture or break without your knowledge. Potable Aqua tablets are unaffected by freeze thaw.
Each tablet contains 20 mg of Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide, which “liberates 8 mg of titratable iodine when released into water.”
One iodine tablet will treat 2 cups of water while two tablets will treat one quart.
Though there’s no expiration date, the manufacturer says once the bottle of tablets is opened, it’s best to replace them for “next season”.
Further information, “as a general rule tablets that are grayish/brown in color are good and tablets that are yellowish/green should be replaced.”
