Chemical water treatment

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Overview

Chemical water treatment is an older means of making surface water drinkable. Newer methods, such as water filters are generally preferable. Where chemical water treatments are still ideal is in emergency kits.

Function

Chemical water treatments work by adding chlorine, iodine, or both, which kills all biological contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and other microbes, such as giardia and cryptosporidium . It does not, however, remove chemical or radioactive contaminants.

Different treatments have different instructions. Be sure to follow them exactly. Failure to follow the instructions can result in incomplete, ineffective treatment.

Side-effects

The biggest side-effect of chemical water treatment is a bad taste. This can often be overcome by mixing the water with a flavored drink mix.

The secondary side effect is that, if the taste is offensive, you may not drink enough, resulting in dehydration.