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Best Emergency Water Purification System
In this article I take a look at some of the best emergency water purification systems available to buy.
Whether it’s an emergency situation or you are out hiking and camping, and you need some fresh water, you need to have a good water purification systems on hand.
After all, you can’t just drink any old water you find along the way — you could get extremely ill. Therefore it’s essential you treat all water before you drink it with one of these systems listed.
I have also written a guide on water purification in a survival situation that may interest you too.
Purewell Water Purifier
I really like this little water purification systems for a couple of reasons. For one, something that really stands out is just how small it is.
It’s one of those things you can easily carry around in a small backpack or store in a small space for when you need it; it really barely takes up any room whatsoever. Moreover, the fact that it is affordable is something else anyone can appreciate.
That said, the best aspect here is how simple it is to use. All you have to do is place the intake nozzle in a water source, move the pump handle up and down, and the water comes out purified on the other side.
It comes with replaceable carbon, which is the source of filtration, so whenever it runs out, you can just replace it. In terms of convenience, I would say that this might just be the No. 1 option.
- SUPER FAST FLOW RATE AND FULLY COMPACT--Super-fast flow rate of up to max 1400 ml (58 Oz.) per minute; Compact Size: 6.69 x 3.14 x 1.96 inches; Comes with Detailed Instruction Manual, Tubing, Hose Clip, Advanced 4-Stage Filter, Carry Bag.
- ANTI-SKID DESIGN: Special anti-skid rubber on sides and bottom of pump helps maintain a firm and sturdy surface while pump is in use, as well as increasing durability .
- HIGH FILTER CAPACITY--The water filter pump hiking can filter up to 3000L/793 Gallons before replacing its reusable carbon filter.
- WAYS TO USE--Use directly from fresh water source, pump into Attached Cup OR pump into any portable hydration device/pack. Perfect for filtering large quantities of water for the whole family!
- WARRANTY--If not 100% completely satisfied with our outdoor mini water filter, simply contact us to request a refund or exchange. 3 month money back/replacement guarantee, 24 months product defect free replacement warranty.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
If you are out camping or hiking, and you just want to take a quick drink from a stream, river, or puddle, the Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System is something I would recommend.
Now, this system is not really meant to purify water for storage, but for immediate drinking. More or less, this is a little straw. One end goes into the water and the other end goes into your mouth.
All you have to do is suck on the straw and the water is purified as it passes through the unit. It comes with a small hydration pack so you can store a small amount of purified water, but not much of it. Either way, I think that this water purification system is convenient for a quick drink, and it’s inexpensive too.
- High-performance filter fits in the palm of your hand; 0.1 micron filter removes 99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa and cysts
- Dual-threaded MINI allows you to screw the push/pull cap onto the filter for easy on/off functionality and water flow control
- Ideal for outdoor recreation, hiking, camping, scouting, domestic and international travel, boil alerts, and emergency preparedness
- Attaches to included drinking pouch, standard disposable water bottles, and hydration packs
- Filter rated up to 100,000 gallons; includes 0.5-liter collapsible pouch, cleaning coupling, inline adapter, and syringe
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Wild Peak Stay Alive-1 Outdoor 4-Stage 4000 Liter Water Filter Emergency Straw
This is so far one of the most affordable water purification system I have decided to review, and yes, I think that having affordable gear is important.
Hiking and camping already cost enough, and dealing with emergency situations is not cheap either, so having an affordable way to drink clean water is very important to me.
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is another one of these small straw units, which you simply suck water through, and as the water passes through, it gets purified.
It’s a good option for situations that may last a long time, as it can handle up to 4,000 liters of water before it needs replacement, which is not great, but when you are in a bind, it still gets the job done. On a side note, be careful with it, as I have discovered that this is not the most durable item around.
- Wild Peak Survival straws are a perfect aid for emergency situations. Its necessary when camping, hiking, mountain climbing, hunting, trekking, backpacking, biking, boating, car rides, outdoor trips and wilderness adventures. Your kit can never be too prepared.
- Get down close to the stream or lake and use it to drink straight from the source, or fill your water bottle and insert the filter to start sipping.
- 0.01-Micron (minimum) carbon filter physically removes 99.99% of all bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli; removes 99.9% of all protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidium.
- Effectively filters up to 4,000 liters (1,056 gallons) thru a hollow fiber UF membrane and coconut shell activated carbon. BPA free and meets all USA EPA drinking water standards.
- This is outstanding and practical gift for your friends or loved ones. Get your family members and friends well-prepared before any emergencies, teach your kids survival skills, create fun and educational activities during the holiday season with our professional designed and certified survival straws.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Katadyn Hiker Microfilter Water Filter
This is one of the more expensive options I would recommend, and although it is pricey, I think it’s one of the better water purification systems, especially for long-term use.
This item comes complete with filtration cartridges, each of which can deal with up to 200 gallons of water, which is quite a bit. I personally appreciate how the cartridges are replaceable, so as long as you have cartridges, you can keep filtering water.
It’s also a really easy to use unit, because all you have to do is place the intake nozzle in the water, then use the hand pump to pull it through the filtration cartridge. The water then passes into a little container you can drink from, or pour the clean water out into a larger container to take with you.
- Easy-to-use design is great for the beginning camper to the serious backpacker
- The 0.2 micron glassfiber filter media is designed for high output with little effort
- Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
- Provides safe drinking water in any challenging conditions
- Lowest maintenance water filter available; no need for constant backflushing
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
SteriPen Adventurer Opti
This is a very unique water purification system, one I absolutely had to mention here. This is a UV water sterilizer, so it has a special lightbulb which emits UV rays, which kills harmful organisms in the water.
It’s a unique way of doing it, but the interesting part is that it works very well. What’s neat about the SteriPen Adventurer Opti water sterilizer is that you can just hold it in the water for a few seconds with the UV light activated, and it purifies water with a near 99.9% success rate.
Now, all of that said, this is the most expensive option I have reviewed today, so keep in mind that it will cost you a pretty penny.
- Compact handheld UV water purifier designed specifically for outdoor/expedition use; Reusable for up to 8,000 liters
- Destroys more than 99.9 percent of harmful microorganisms, including Giardia, bacteria, viruses and protozoa
- Safe and effective without altering taste, pH, or other properties of water; chemical-free
- Water sensor doubles as an LED flashlight
- Comes with two disposable CR123 batteries and a neoprene case with belt loop
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Final Thoughts – Emergency Water Purification Systems
If you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, I personally would recommend the UV sterilizer pen, as it’s super simple and effective.
However, I also like the drinking straw purifiers, as they are super convenient for a quick drink allowing you to keep hydrated regularly in hotter climates.
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Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API