Water Treatment
Water treatment (disinfection) consists of removing solids by filtration and / or destroying disease organisms by chemicals or heat.
Chlorine Disinfectant
Ordinary household chlorine bleach (e.g. Clorox, Purex), a 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite, can be used as a water disinfectant. It is readily obtainable in many parts of the world, but in dilute solution which makes it awkward to use because such a large volume must be carried.
Heat Sterilization
One way to disinfect water is simply to heat it to 150° F(66° C) or to onset of boiling. The extra fuel needed may be a problem on long trips or where fuel is not available.
Filters
Filters have become popular because they can remove pollutants from water without changing the water taste. The most popular portable filters sold today have pore sizes of 0.1 to 4 microns.
The Giardia cyst is 6 microns in diameter and many bacteria are larger than 0.2 microns so 0.2 micron filters are adequate to handle such organisms. Viruses, however, range from 0.004 to 0.06 microns in size -- far smaller than the pore size of the best portable filter. Chemicals (iodine or chlorine) or heat must be used after, or instead of a filter if viruses could be present. Only filters with an iodine matrix are capable of killing viruses.
All filters eventually become clogged. Filter lifetime is determined by the quantity and size of particles in the water. Filters may also clog from growth of organisms in the filter medium. The filter must then be backflushed or replaced or (for ceramic filters) scrubbed clean, slowly eroding the ceramic. In very cold conditions, retained water may freeze, plugging and possibly cracking the filter element. Filters weigh 1 to 1.5 pounds -- more after use because they retain some water.
Polar Pure
Polar Pure Water Disinfectant uses pure crystallized iodine in a unique delivery system to destroy water-borne pathogens including giardia cysts and micro-organisms that pass through filters.
When used as directed, approximately 300 ppm (parts per million) saturated iodine solution is maintained in the POLAR PURE bottle. This saturated solution is then used to disinfect your water at an optimal concentration of 4-5 ppm iodine.
Giardia cysts will be destroyed in 20-30 minutes in a closed quart / liter bottle of 68° F, 20° C water (colder water will take longer). Saturation concentration varies with solution temperature. A Liquid Crystal Dosage Chart on the Polar Pure bottle shows how many capfuls of saturated solution to add to your liter or quart bottle of water.
Iodine and Polar Pure
Iodine has a long history as a safe, effective water disinfectant and tests have shown no ill effects in normal people over long use at up to 20 ppm iodine.
"Tincture of iodine" (alcohol solution) drops can be used, but to assure disinfection, milligrams of iodine per drop must be known.
Iodine complexes such as Potable Aqua and Globaline are convenient and effective when fresh, but degrade on air exposure -- these tablets should be discarded 3 months after opening bottle.
Use of Betadine (povidone/iodine complex) in water treatment has not been tested.
Polar Pure iodine crystals do not deteriorate with temperature and have an indefinite shelf life after opening. Bottle must be tightly capped when not in use to prevent vaporization of iodine crystals. As long as you can see iodine crystals in the bottom of your Polar Pure bottle, it is safe and fully effective to use.
One bottle of Polar Pure treats up to 2000 quarts of water at less than 1/2 cent per quart.
Once filled with water, your bottle of Polar Pure will be ready to disinfect water in one hour. Treatment of 68° F / 20° C water will be complete in 20 - 30 minutes (colder water takes longer).
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