Water purification when a Sawyer is not enough

[ldsailor]

Heading to Zion National Park in a couple of weeks to do some hiking. A notice on their website says there is a toxic Cyanobacteria bloom in all park water sources and using a filter will not work. I confirmed with Sawyer that they can't do anything with the bacteria when using their filters. So I'm left to use other purification methods. I have a Steripen, which supposedly will kill the bacteria, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend another method. It seems the Micropur product of the Katadyn Group might be an alternative.

Product suggestions?

[Kittyslayer]

I have been using a Grayl filter and know it filters more than the Sawyer. However in the Grayl FAQ's it does not remove Cyanobacteria.

https://grayl.com/pages/faqs

IS THE PURIFIER CARTRIDGE EFFECTIVE AGAINST CYANOTOXINS (A.K.A. BLUE ALGEA)?

No. GRAYL's purifier media is not recommended for use with cyanotoxin poisoned drinking water. Cyanotoxins are created when cyanobacteria (or 'blue algae') proliferate in freshwater lakes, under certain conditions, likely exacerbated by global warming. Water containing cyanotoxins is very no bueno for human health.

Activated carbon, one technology in GRAYL's purifier media, can reduce cyanotoxins but not to a level that is sufficient to make the water safe. Reverse osmosis is the only filtration method effective against cyanotoxins.

[justhike]

Steripen may kill the bacteria, but it may not destroy toxins that are present.

This page from the Florida trail discusses the toxin issue, recommending the MSR Miniworks because of its ceramic filter w/carbon core. Interesting, but, similar to the GRAYL info posted above, may not be a guarantee of toxin removal.
https://www.thruhikeflorida.com/gear...t-and-storage/

tough one.....

[ldsailor]

Steripen may kill the bacteria, but it may not destroy toxins that are present.

I'm glad you replied. I was seriously considering my Steripen if no one else came up with a solution. I have message into Katadyn Group to see what they think about using their Steripen. I hope they reply back.

[Slo-go'en]

To be sure, I'd go with chlorine and wait the required 30 minutes. I don't trust the Steripen. If the water is still toxic after the bacteria are killed, I'd think twice about going there...or plan on only doing day hikes so you can carry bottled water.

[JNI64]

Heading to Zion National Park in a couple of weeks to do some hiking. A notice on their website says there is a toxic Cyanobacteria bloom in all park water sources and using a filter will not work. I confirmed with Sawyer that they can't do anything with the bacteria when using their filters. So I'm left to use other purification methods. I have a Steripen, which supposedly will kill the bacteria, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend another method. It seems the Micropur product of the Katadyn Group might be an alternative.

Product suggestions?

Sawyer select s3.

[ldsailor]

Sawyer select s3.

Yeah, the Select filter line is what Sawyer recommended. They are hard to find, very expensive and heavy. I have not found an S3 but did find an S1 at over $80.

[JNI64]

Yeah, the Select filter line is what Sawyer recommended. They are hard to find, very expensive and heavy. I have not found an S3 but did find an S1 at over $80.

Check out moosejaw they may have one @ around $ 90 .
The Sawyer 20 oz S3 Foam Filter Bottle.
Yeah expensive, Yeah heavy.
It's your best defense for such conditions!!

[Durwood]

HYOH and all that..but the house situation there is dangerous.

[Durwood]

H2O** not house. Haha

[hobbs]

Sawyer select s3.

I was in a ultalight group lastnight on Facebook and a hiker wanted us to look at their lighterpack..TThe also said they were going to Island Royal so i looked at their filter then I told them their filter will not work they had the squeeze and other methods that wouldnt work. Then I told them what you recommended. So what you recommended they are actually going to aquire...

[JNI64]

I was in a ultalight group lastnight on Facebook and a hiker wanted us to look at their lighterpack..TThe also said they were going to Island Royal so i looked at their filter then I told them their filter will not work they had the squeeze and other methods that wouldnt work. Then I told them what you recommended. So what you recommended they are actually going to aquire...

Thats cool thanks for spreading the news about these filters.
They're certainly not ultralight or cheap but potentially life saving

[nsherry61]

Thats cool thanks for spreading the news about these filters.
They're certainly not ultralight or cheap but potentially life saving

OR NOT! Those filters sound great against a lot of things, BUT, those filters have NOT been well tested against the cyanotoxins found in Zion (or at least not that I am aware of or that has been posted in these forums). So there is no way of knowing how well they treat for them. And, unlike most water born pathogens like norovirus, cholera, cryptosporidium or giardia that make you sick and have reliable treatments to make you better, these cyanotoxins can kill you. And, unlike more common pollutants that these filters are designed around (like nitrates or heavy metals), they are not designed around these relatively rare, very small and highly toxic organic compounds. Yeah, they might work. Heck, they might work really well. BUT, I don't think it's particularly wise to volunteer as an unmonitored guinea pig.

Please, don't be cavalier about this risk.

I'm not just mouthing off about something I have little background in here. I have have worked with, cultured, and published papers on cyanobacteria. AND, if any of you recognize me from other posts, I'm generally the guy saying not to worry too much about filtering water all the time or worry to much about dangerous animals, etc. I think most people's fears of backcountry dangers are frankly, dangerously overblow. BUT, unlike those other moderate to insignificant dangers, this one has the potential to really kill you.

[Big_Old_Dog]

Sawyer select s3.

How does a 0.1 Micron filter remove something 10 times smaller. Am I missing something?

[JNI64]

How does a 0.1 Micron filter remove something 10 times smaller. Am I missing something?

Lol yeah I don't know. I wish I could come on here and be all smart and cool and explain how it works, nope.

I just knew that they existed in a series of 1,2 and 3 depending on the dangers of the water source. And thought to throw it out there as an option. And apparently that's what Sawyer suggested as well.

[Odd Man Out]

How does a 0.1 Micron filter remove something 10 times smaller. Am I missing something?

From their web page:

https://sawyer.com/products/select-filter-and-purifier/


"The Foam Adsorption Technology used in these systems was developed with a partnership with Foamulations LLC to now be able to safely remove contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, and viruses while also improving taste and odor. Adsorption filtration is the process in which molecules adhere to the surface of the adsorbent foam membrane. This highly advanced filtration and purification process, combined with our 0.1 micron absolute filter will ensure that any and all particulate or pathogens above 0.1 microns are filtered out of your water, including bacteria, protozoa, cysts, dirt and sediment."

[nsherry61]

Information on this, even from the park officials seems to be a bit confusion if not just plain misguided.

The Zion Park water issue is NOT an issue of not being able to kill or filter cyanobacteria. Any standard backpacking filter does a fantastic job of filtering out cyanobacteria. The bacteria themselves are NOT the problem. Therefore, ultra-filtration with filters that remove even viruses also do not address the issue. And, therefore killing everything in the water with chemical treatment again does not address the issue.

The issue is apparently the toxins released into and either remaining in the water or stirred up into the water from the sediment that is the problem.

As alluded to above, the right activated charcoal might well reduce or eliminate the toxin, BUT, it also might not. Until it has been tested and shown to remove the specific toxins to a safe level, I would not trust any filter or water treatment to make it safe to consume any amount of water from Zion. Until we are told otherwise, at this point, I'd suggest the only options are cache & carry.

[HankIV]

Wear a stillsuit like they do on Dune.

[NY HIKER 50]

We have this here in my city. It is an alge bloom and can also cause rashes as well as poisining.

[The Kisco Kid]

Question: Are you 6 months pregnant?
If no, there is nothing to worry about.

Be sure to wear your seat belt and drive safely. That is the most dangerous part of your journey.

In the rare instances that I filter, I use Aquamira. $15 and you're good to go. FEMA recommends a chlorine-based product, regular household bleach for emergency situations. Chlorine kills viruses, bacteria, and whitens your clothes.

Before water filters arrived on the backpacking scene, everyone used chlorine or iodine products. The filter companies created undue fear to sell their products and legions of hikers (including myself) scrambled to buy this heavy, expensive, and unnecessary piece of gear.