Water is life. There’s no doubt about that. And when you’re out exercising on the trail, pitch or slopes, having access to enough clean water to keep you hydrated is essential. To ensure the water you consume is clean and safe, Paddy Pallin stocks a range of water treatment solutions.  This is where water purification tablets or portable water filters come in, as they allow you to turn a natural water source into safe, drinkable water.  If these FAQs don’t answer your questions, feel free to give our friendly Customer Service team a call or pop into your closest store to have a chat with staff and see the check out all your different options in person.

FAQs 

What are the main differences between microfilters, purifiers and chemical treatment?

There are a few main differences between portable water filters, purifiers and chemical water purification treatments. Microfilters kill protozoa and bacteria, while purifiers kill protozoa, bacteria and viruses, and are the safest option when travelling to heavily populated areas and to developing countries. Microfilters work well for trips in remote areas, for preparing tap water in hotels or public wells that you might be unsure about, or as a purifier, when water is treated with Micropur Forte tablets after being pumped. Chemical treatment is effective against viruses and protozoa but must be used in clear water. If the water is cloudy, you will still have to filter it to ensure it is safe to drink. The differences between microfilters, purifiers and chemical treatment, are based on the different types of water contamination that can occur. Katadyn has a really simple guide on these types, and on the different levels of risk when travelling to certain parts of the world, if you want some further info.

How do I figure out what kind of water treatment is right for me?

There are a lot of factors that go into determining what kind of water treatment filter or option is best for you. Think about not only the trip you’re purchasing the filter for now, but also the trips you’re likely to go on in the future. If the filter is purely for hiking and you’re going to have to carry it, you might want to narrow your choices down to lightweight options. If you’re going on a trip overseas where it will be in a suitcase, you have the option to go for something a little bulkier but with more features that will speed up the treatment process and make cleaning easier in the long run. Price is also a consideration, as water filters and treatment vary from a Katadyn BeFree to a Katadyn Combi Water Filter. This seems like a big price difference, but the Katadyn Combi Water Filter combines a silver impregnated ceramic element with a refillable, activated carbon cartridge. This means you don’t get that very distinct (and for many people, very unpleasant) water treatment taste that comes with using tablets. It will also last you a very long time, so like most other quality outdoor gear, it’s worth the investment.

The water treatment application process is also an important consideration. Will you be using a CamelBak? Can the Steripen fit into your water reservoir? Can the pre-filter fit on your water bottle? Water is the most important aspect for survival, and having an easy to use filtration system will offer a seamless user experience.

What kind of water treatment is generally needed in Australia?

We’re lucky in Australia, that the water quality in many of the places we choose to hike and camp is relatively safe and easy to treat. Unlike many other countries, Australia’s water contamination levels tend to be quite low, especially in the wilderness areas that we choose to hike, camp, climb and ski in. However, even if we’re 99% sure that the water is safe to drink, you never know what could be lurking upstream, therefore it is vital that proper measures are taken to guarantee water safety. Katadyn Micropur Forte Water Treatment Tablets are a great, cost effective and an easy to use water purification option for within Australia. While it won’t get rid of any dirt or debris in the water, it will definitely kill most germs. If you want to increase the speed of Giardia removal, heat and boil your water at a rolling boil for 3 minutes, and then use the water purification tablets or water treatment liquid afterwards. Another great option is using a filter like the Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration Bottle. Simply fill the bottle from a natural running water source like a stream or river and the EZ-Clean Membrane™ inside the bottle will filter out bacteria and sediment before you drink. These bottles come in 0.6L, 1L or 3L options, and are a very easy and popular option as they’re lightweight, packable, reliable, well priced and can process 1000L before replacement.

What kind of water treatment is best for travelling overseas?

It’s difficult to predict the water quality in many places that you will travel to, from remote regions to cities, and waterborne illnesses are a sure fire way to ruin your holiday. While it’s easy to buy bottled water in many places, being reliant on your ability to easily purchase water can restrict your travels and land you in hot water.. If you’re concerned about the environment, as we are here at Paddy Pallin, then bottled water isn’t a great option either. In saying all these things, travelling overseas can require a higher quality water treatment process than what is needed in Australia. We recommend using a water filter like the Steripen Ultra UV Portable Water Purifier. Eliminating over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa that cause water-borne illness in 45 seconds, the Steripen Ultra UV Portable Water Purifier has a feature which tells you when the water is safe to drink. If you want to be super careful, you could pair this filter with a Katadyn Micropur Forte Water Treatment Tablets as well. Though an effective filter for micro organisms,it doesn’t get rid of any dirt or particulates in the water, therefore the  Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration Bottle may be better suited for your needs.

What is the best option for sterilising large volumes of water?

Whether you’re leading a scout group, or taking the family on a camping adventure, Paddy Pallin stocks many large volume camping water filters. Hanging bag gravity water purifiers from Katadyn and MSR can process up to 2L/minute, with bag capacities of 10L. The easy to use flow switch means little hikers and campers can fill their own water bottles safely. If you need a water treatment solution which can process water even quicker, some products from MSR including the Guardian Purifier can deliver 2.5L of clean drinking water a minute. Designed for military applications, these pump action camping water purifiers are robust, reliable and can deliver over 10,000L of fresh drinking water before a new cartridge is required. A simple, easy option to treat clear water in bulk is water purification liquids. When treating large bodies of water such as drums for field camps, 10ml of treatment liquids can purify 100L of water, removing bacteria, viruses and Giardia.

If the water is clear is it safe to drink?

You can never be 100% sure that water from a creek or stream in a wild area is 100% safe, without extensive tests. This is why it is always a good idea to carry a camping water filter or water purification tablets. Most water purification options are not heavy or will not take up too much room in your hiking pack, but can save you from a ruined holiday, adventure or severe illness.

What brands does Paddy Pallin stock?

The main water treatment brands we stock at Paddy Pallin are MSR and Katadyn, who also produce Steripen. Katadyn is  a Swiss brand who goes by the motto “sustaining life no matter where”. Katadyn water filtration products range from Micropur water treatment tablets and water filters to Steripens and desalinators. Katadyn’s products are made in Switzerland, whilst MSR’s camping water filters are made in the U.S.A, therefore both brands are of the highest quality, giving you peace of mind when using their water filtration systems.

Do Paddy Pallin refund and exchange water treatment options if I change my mind?

The Change of Mind Refund and Exchange Policy applies to water treatment products as it does to clothing or other equipment. Just make sure it’s returned in its original condition within 90 days and we’ll be happy to help you with a refund or exchange.