Water, water...everywhere!!!

Water

Did you ever stop and think about the water you drink? I never did until I read about what could be found in water, and that usually is:

Viruses: These range from 0.004 to 0.1 microns, being the smallest waterborne contaminant. They can cause serious diseases such as polio and hepatitis. But most people are vacinated from most of the viruses present anyway.
Bacteria: Range from 0.2 to 10 microns, less serious problems such as food poisoning and typhoid fever.
Organic chemicals: These include pesticides, fuel, oil, fertilisers, herbicides and mice run-off. Bewareof discolored or bad smelling water, which may indicate these chemicals.
Protozoans: Largest waterborne organisms, ranging from 2 to 15 microns. Giardia is the most common.
Cryptosporidium: Crypto is less common than giardia, but nobody really knows how prevalent it really is! NOTE: Iodine doesn't kill crypto! You have to boil the water or use a filter with a pore size smaller than 2 microns.

But these chemicals are not contained in all water sources in the world, especially Canada. Here in Labrador, we have very good sources that are pollution free. But bacteria, viruses and other organisms are so plentiful these days that even the cleanest water sources cannot be garenteed to be germ-free.

So always use an appropriate filter to remove these germs. Several good water filters are available on the market that remore these organims. Or if a filter isn't available, use this 3-step method:

Pass the water through a sock (preferably clean!) or other piece of porous clothing into a container.
Boil the water for 5-10 mins vigourously.
Once cooled, add iodine to the water, following the directions on the bottle.