From: ed@titipu.resun.com (Edward Reid)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Water filter reviews from _Backpacker_
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 93 14:12:58 EST(-0500)
Organization: Accuracy, Ltd.
Reply-To: ed@titipu.resun.com (Edward Reid)
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.6v0

I've been wanting to scan and post this for some time, but it had to wait for
an upgrade to my OCR software.  Please let me know if you catch any typos.  (I
already corrected three that I found in the original.)  If you disagree with
the claims, please tell _Backpacker_ magazine, not me.

Reproduced without permission.

JUST SAY "NO" TO UNTREATED WATER
================================
  from _Backpacker_ volume 20 number 4, issue 115, June 1992.
  Story compiled by Fred Bouwman, Mike Wyatt, Mark Jenkins, and Dave Getchell.

Subtitle: The water may look crystal clear but that doesn't mean it's fit to
drink. Here's how to make it pure.

Hot and dusty, flushed with the romance of the wild outdoors, you hold your cup
beneath a clear-blue waterfall so cold it numbs your fingers. "Just like the
mountain men," you think as cup meets lips. Ahhhhh, nature's nectar, flowing
down from the high country where it's chilled by snow and ice and long winters.
As you take your first sip, you toast the good life.

If you're lucky, you arise the following morning and start your day with a smile
and breakfast. But if your water was alive--contaminated with all sorts of
nasties you couldn't see--you start with a squat and some unsavory gut
wrenching. A carefree drink from what appears to be clean mountain water, even
in the most remote, pristine wilderness, can teach you an uncomfortable lesson:
what you can't see CAN hurt you.

Three types of micro-critters could be temporarily taking up residence in your
water bottle.

CYSTS. These hard-shelled, single-celled parasitic protozoa are the largest
fluvial microorganisms, ranging in size from 5 to 15 microns. (A micron,
one-millionth of a meter, equals .0000394 inches. The period at the end of this
sentence measures a whopping 500 to 600 microns across.) The ubiquitous Giardia
cyst is responsible for most waterborne illnesses in the United States. E.
histolystics, the rascal responsible for amoebic dysentery, occurs infrequently
in this country. Cryptosporidium, unknown as a cause of human illness until
1976, is becoming an increasingly common cause of gastrointestinal upset.

BACTERIA. There are a wide variety of bacteria, and most are smaller than
protozoa (.2 to 10 microns). A few notorious offenders: E. coli comes from
fecal contamination and gives you the trots. Klesiella pneumoniae causes, you
got it, pneumonia; the various transmutations of Salmonella can cause
intestinal fever, food poisoning, and typhoid fever; Shigella is another cause
of dysentery; Staphylococcus and Streptococcus both cause big, painful,
pus-filled boils.

VIRUSES. These are the smallest (.004 to 0.1 microns), least pervasive
waterborne fauna, but are arguably the most dangerous. There are the polio
viruses, which cause polio, of course; the hepatitis virus causes hepatitis A
and B (you can die from B); Coxsackie and ECHO (enteric cytopathogenic
human orphan) viruses are often asymptomatic but can cause diarrhea, flu, fever
and colds; Norwalk and Rota viruses can also cause diarrhea. (An interesting
note on these last four viruses comes from Dr. James Alexander of the federal
Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia: "You are more likely to get
them from your buddy than from backcountry water.") Viruses currently pose
little danger in the surface water throughout most of the United States and
Canada.

Living creatures aside, there's widespread disagreement regarding chemical
pollutants in backcountry water. Some scientists say that since backpackers
consume such small quantities of water for short periods of time, there's
little threat. Others warn that even minimum exposure to chemicals is cause for
concern. Common surface-water pollutants include diesel fuel, pesticides,
fertilizers, and heavy metals from mines. Beware of any water that's discolored
or smells.

There's no practical way to know if the water at your feet contains harmful
microorganisms. Backcountry water sources are living communities susceptible to
sudden change, and the numbers of organisms can surge without apparent cause.
The water might be safe one day but harmful the next, or might be safe if drawn
from one location, yet unsafe 20 yards downstream.

The prudent backpacker's only choice is to purify all drinking water by either
killing or removing the organisms. You have three options.

1) BOILING. There was a time when a five-minute boil was recommended for making
water safe. Nowadays it's accepted that merely bringing water to a rolling boil
will do, since even the lower temperatures required to make water boil at high
elevations are adequate to kill Giardia and vegetative bacteria and viruses.
Even so, the inconvenience of setting up a stove and lugging extra fuel often
makes this option impractical. The boiling points for high-country elevations
are:

  Sea level - 212F (100C)
  5,000 feet- 203F (95C)
  10,000 feet - 194F (90C)
  14,000 feet - 187F (86C)

2) CHEMICAL TREATMENT. Chlorine-based treatments, such as halazone, were once
the safest chemical means for purifying water. They aren't effective against
amoebic cysts, however, so most seasoned trekkers now use iodine. (For more on
chlorine, see the accompanying story.)

Iodine, whether in tablet, crystal, or concentrated liquid form, is light and
easy to use, though effectiveness depends on dosage concentration, the amount
of time you wait between adding iodine and drinking, and the water's
temperature and pH. The unique odor and odd flavor of iodized water makes
drinking it an acquired taste, and some people add flavored drink mixes like
Tang and Kool Aid to improve palatability. (Pregnant women and people with
thyroid problems shouldn't ingest iodine.)

One of the most common brand names is Potable Aqua, which is tetraglycine
hydroperiodide and comes in tablet form. It has a shelf life of up to five
years if unopened and stored at room temperature, but rapidly loses its
effectiveness once opened (as do any iodine purifying tablets). Store tablets
in an air-tight bottle while on the trail. The dose is one tablet per quart of
clear water at room temperature (above 50F), wait 15 minutes, and enjoy. Cloudy
water or water colder than 50F requires an additional tablet and a one-hour
wait. (Contact: Wisconsin Pharmacal, P.O. Box 198, Jackson, WI 53037; (800)
558-6614.)

Iodine also comes in a crystalline, or elemental, form. The Polar Equipment
Company makes the Polar Pure kit, which consists of a glass bottle containing a
small amount of crystalline iodine, a particle trap to keep the settled
crystals in the bottle, and a small thermometer on the side of the bottle with
a graph that indicates when the water is safe to drink. Add water and wait --
which can take a while. More detailed directions are fused to the bottle so
they won't rub off or be left at home with your gloves and extra socks. Shelf
life is indefinite. (Contact: Polar Equipment Co., 12881 Foothill Lane,
Saratoga, CA 95070; (408) 867-4576.)

One of the newest iodine-treatment methods is a release-on-demand purifier from
Water Technologies Corporation. Water passes through a mesh "filter" containing
iodine resin, releasing iodine only on demand when there are microorganisms
present. Pour pure water through the filter and no iodine is released. Before
drinking, wait three minutes for water at room temperature and half an hour for
water near the freezing point. The problem is determining when the iodine
content has been depleted, since resin filters don't clog like carbon filters
or microstrainers. The best way to tell is when you notice the usually strong
iodine taste is weak immediately after treating. (Contact: Water Technologies
Corp., 14405 21st Ave. N., Suite 120, Plymouth, MN 55447; (800) 637-1244.)

3) FILTERING: Unlike boiling or chemical treatment, filtration literally cleans
the water by physically straining out suspended solids and turning murky water
clear. Filters also remove most, but not all, microorganisms. Some filters
remove chemical impurities as well. Filters fall into two general types:
gravity-feed, which rely on gravity to trickle water through the filter ever so
slowly; and pump-feed, in which you force water through the filter with a hand
pump. The nice thing about pump models is that within the span of a few minutes
you can stoop over a stream, fill your bottle, suck it dry, then fill it again
before moving on.

A filter's basic task sounds simple: remove organisms and particles. That's not
easy, though, given the teensy-weensy size of the critters. It takes a very
fine filter--a microstrainer--to catch them. Two types of filters are commonly
used:

Membrane or surface filters are thin sheets perforated with precisely-sized
holes. Water passes easily through, while particles larger than the openings
collect on the filter surface. These filters tend to clog quickly, but are easy
to clean and have a long service life.

Depth filters are made of thick, porous materials such as compressed carbon or
unglazed ceramic. Instead of blocking particles larger than a given size at the
filter's surface, they trap the particles as the water moves through a complex
fibrous matrix. Depth filters can be partially cleaned by backwashing
(reversing the water flow) or by brushing the outer surface. Even with regular
cleaning, depth filters will eventually clog and need to be replaced.

The size of a filter's pores determines which organisms it can remove from
water. Pore sizes are measured in microns (um) and remember, a period is some
600 microns fat. It's unrealistic to measure all the openings in a filter
element, so the most common way to determine effectiveness is to "challenge" it
in a lab with water containing a known concentration of particles of a specific
size and number. The result is a pore-size rating based on the size of the
particles that pass through the filter.

Pore-size ratings are commonly expressed as either "nominal" or "absolute."
Since there is no standardized method for determining nominal ratings, they
have little value when comparing different filters. An absolute rating is just
that--no particle larger than the rated size passed the filter during testing.
When filter shopping, use the absolute rating as a guide.

To reliably remove the most common backcountry cootie, Giardia cysts, a maximum
pore size of 4 microns is recommended. All four filters discussed below remove
Giardia if they're working properly, and all have the required 0.2 micron pore
size to remove bacteria as well. But because viruses can be as tiny as .0004
microns--so small they can only be seen with an electron microscope--no field
device that relies solely on filtration can reliably remove them.

There's a difference between water filters and purifiers, which must be able to
kill or remove bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. The only field device currently
available that meets stringent Environmental Protection Agency purification
standards is the recently introduced PUR Explorer. It combines chemical
treatment with filtration, using a resin-bound iodine element that acts as a
contact disinfectant.

The First Need and MSR WaterWorks contain activated carbon filters. Besides
removing microorganisms, they eliminate a range of organic chemicals such as
pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine, although they won't remove dissolved
minerals such as salt. Their broad range of filtration is due to the
exceptionally porous structure of carbon and to "adsorption," the adhesion of
molecules to a solid surface.

One key caveat regarding adsorption: There are limits to the quantity of
chemicals or microorganisms a carbon filter can hold by this process. After the
threshold for a particular material is reached, the filter no longer removes
that substance from the water, and previously adsorbed material can be
released. That's why manufacturers recommend replacing carbon filters
periodically, regardless of whether they show signs of clogging.

Remember, an often overlooked part of getting the best performance out of your
water filter is proper cleaning, both in regular use and before long-term
storage. Follow the maker's instructions carefully.

Following is a review of what we feel are the four best pump-type filters for
backpackers. We did not field-test them, and we make no claims as to the
absolute efficacy of these products. That would require a laboratory, lots of
test tubes, and people wearing full-length white coats. All the information was
compiled from the feedback of field users as well as data from manufacturers,
and is based on totally unscientific hands-on experience.

One point needs to be stressed: Plan your water needs before you leave home.
Determine the biological and chemical hazards you may encounter (see our
related stories in this section) and match them with a suitable filter,
disinfectant, or combination of the two. Think before you drink because the
consequences of getting sick in the backcountry range from annoying to
life-threatening.

FIRST NEED DELUXE

For years, the enviable combination of low cost and dependable performance has
made General Ecology's First Need the de facto standard among backcountry water
filters. The unit includes a pump assembly and a filter canister joined by
tubing. Unfortunately, it's a three-handed contraption. With its optional
pre-filter attached to the intake hose, a First Need has seven separate parts
and six connections. (Make that eight parts if you include the optional adapter
for filling a standard widemouth water bottle.)

The First Need's heart is a sealed, depth filter matrix of carbon and
proprietary materials. More than half of the matrix is air, which its maker
claims provides more effective depth filtration than the conventional
pressed-carbonblock filter.

Cleaning: Detach the intake hose and attach it to the filter's outlet. Pumping
sends a "backwash" of clean water through the filter, loosening most of the
accumulated particles and organisms. After backwashing and before storage, the
canister must be sanitized with a diluted bleach solution, which is why it's
best to clean this one at home.

Despite the backwashing procedure, because the filter element is sealed and
can't be thoroughly cleaned, it will eventually clog and have to be replaced.
(Since it's in a canister, it can't be inspected for cracks, either.) General
Ecology offers a dye kit for efficacy testing; filter the colored water and if
doesn't come out clear, replace the filter element.

Field comments: The First Need isn't easy to use, nor does it weed out viruses.
But it is commendably affordable at $50. Steve Howe, BACKPACKER contributing
editor, seeker of wild places in his home state of Utah, and self-confessed
owner of half a dozen First Needs, offered this candid commentary: "I use the
optional pre-filter and still plug up an awful lot of canisters. I'd say about
30 percent gave me high-resistance pumping right off the shelf."

General Ecology, Inc., 151 Sheree Blvd., Exton, PA 19341; (800) 441-8166.

KATADYN POCKET FILTER

The Swiss have a well-earned reputation for precision manufacturing, and the
Katadyn PF is no exception. For some 35 years, its no-nonsense design and
field-proven dependability have made it the most trusted backcountry filter on
the market.

Water enters the Katadyn through a metal strainer at the end of the inlet hose,
then passes through a cylindrical depth filter of unglazed ceramic that removes
organisms down to .2 microns in size. The plastic filter housing seals at both
ends with removable aluminum caps. Pumping is easy and best accomplished by
resting the filter on its small base foot. Unfortunately, the outlet design
makes the Katadyn PF yet another "three-handed" item. There is no outlet hose,
so you have to awkwardly aim the stream of filtered water into a container--a
bit like an old-time seltzer bottle.

Cleaning: Remove the ceramic cylinder and wipe it down. If an encounter with
particularly dirty water slows the output, scrubbing the cylinder surface with
the supplied brush may return normal flow. Since the Katadyn filter contains
silver to limit bacterial, fungal, and algal growth, no sanitizing is needed
after cleaning; simply dry the ceramic cartridge before storing it for longer
than two days. Note, however, that the silver isn't intended as a water
treatment, and shouldn't be confused with disinfectants such as iodine.

Field comments: The Katadyn Pocket Filter won't quite fit in your pocket, weighs
a hefty pound and a half, and is quite expensive (about $250). Steve Glenn,
equipment manager for the American Alpine Institute's guide service and
mountain school, says he wishes he "had half an hour with whoever designed the
damn thing. But it is the easiest-cleaning filter available, and it lasts just
about forever."

Katadyn USA Inc., 3020 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251; (800) 950-0808.

MSR WATERWORKS

The same innovative engineering that popularized MSR stoves is evident in their
new WaterWorks filter. The first thing you notice is that you can actually
operate it with only two hands. The plastic cylinder is easy to grip and the
lever-action pump delivers a ready stream of water with minimal effort. The
output end screws conveniently to a standard one-quart bottle.

MSR employs a four-part gauntlet of progressively finer filters that limits the
amount of particulates reaching the finest and most easily clogged elements. A
ring of buoyant foam keeps the inlet strainer partially afloat; it stays in the
water but away from the funky debris lurking on the bottom. Next, the water
encounters a 10-micron stainless steel surface filter, followed by an
activated-carbon depth filter. Finally, the water passes through a nylon
membrane filter.

Cleaning: Remove the 10-micron mesh filter and scrape/brush/flush it clean.
Scrape the carbon filter with a knife. The .1-micron membrane filter should be
replaced when it turns gray. After removing the carbon cartridge or membrane
filter, the unit must be sanitized by boiling or using a bleach solution before
further use. MSR recommends drying or sanitizing the filter between trips.

Field comments: The WaterWorks represents a genuine step forward from
traditional pumps, but remains heavy and expensive. Says Glenn, "Ergonomically,
the Waterworks is beautifully designed, except it has too many parts that are
easily lost during field cleaning. We've found that it clogs quickly,
especially in silt-laden glacial water." Wyoming Alpine Club founder Mike Moe,
just back from an expedition in Africa, adds, "We used the WaterWorks to filter
straight from the murky Niger River, and it clogged almost immediately. The
problem seemed to be with the pre-filter, so I started improvising. I developed
a three-part pre-filter: a tshirt sleeve, then gauze from the medical kit,
then a coffee filter, all rubberbanded over the existing pre-filter. After
that, it didn't clog much."

Mountain Safety Research, P.O. Box 24547, Seattle, WA 98124; (206) 6247048.

PUR EXPLORER

This sleekly packaged filter looks great and handles accordingly. The
easy-action pump squirts out a generous stream of water while a rubber sleeve
on the filter housing offers a secure grip. Water enters the intake tube
through a scallop-shaped nylon inlet strainer, whose 130-micron pore size
resists clogging. A clip on the output hose hooks over the rim of most
containers.

Looks aside, it what's inside that counts. The Explorer combines a 1-micron
glass-fiber depth filter with the chemical treatment of a
tri-iodine-impregnated resin matrix. Incoming water first meets the filter,
which strains out Giardia and other large organisms, then passes through the
resin matrix, where the iodine's contact disinfectant action kills bacteria and
viruses. Unlike treatments using "free" iodine (tablets), the resin-bonded
iodine contributes little of the chemical to the water, though there is a faint
iodine aftertaste.

Cleaning: Push the pump handle in, give it a quarter-turn, and engage the built
in internal brush. Five strokes and you're done. The wastewater discharges
through a valve in the side of the pump handle. No sanitizing is required after
cleaning or before storage.

Field comments: The Explorer is the only backcountry filter currently available
that meets EPA standards for water purifiers, and it's the only one that
removes viruses. Alas, it, too, is heavy and expensive. AAI guide Matt
Culberson, who just returned from an Annapurna expedition, says, "We were
filtering black, jungle-monsoon water, and it worked very well. None of us got
sick, which is a real testimonial, given the diseases in third-world Asia. It
was definitely easier to use and clean than the First Need. The only real
drawback was its weight."

Recovery Engineering, Inc., 2229 Edgewood Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55426; (612)
541-1313.


WATER FILTERS CHART

[Chart modified to withstand network limitations. All weights are in ounces,
prices in US$, pore and pre-filter sizes in micrometers. The Notes at the end
were originally embedded in the table.]

MODEL     WEIGHT RETAIL REPLACE FILTER  FILTERS     PORE  PRE- INLET    OUTPUT
                 PRICE  FILTER  TYPE    OUT         SIZE  FLTR STRAINER pt/min
FIRST NEED  15    49.95  24.95  DC      PR, BA, OC  0.4    10   Yes       1
KATADYN     23   195.00  97.50  DF      PR, BA      0.2    No   Yes       1.5
MSR         18.4 139.95  19.95  SF, DC  PR, BA, OC  0.1    10   Yes       1.5
PUR         21   129.95  39.95  DF, DI  PR, BA, VI  1.0   130   Yes       2

Key to Filter Type: SF=surface filter; DF=depth filter; DC=depth filter with
                    carbon; DI=depth filter with iodine

Key to Filters Out: PR=protozoans (Giardia, etc.); BA=bacteria (Shigella,
                    E. coli, etc.); VI--virus; OC=organic chemicals

Notes: The First Need pre-filter is optional.
       The MSR replacement filter is the carbon cartridge.
       The PUR replacement filter is the filter and tri-iodine cartridge.
       Output is manufacturer's stated pints per minute


Sidebar: WATER LORE GUARANTEED TO MAKE SICK

Myths surrounding water purification abound. Perhaps the best known is that
water drawn from running streams is safe. Not so. In fact, guides in
Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness recommend drawing water from
the centers of lakes or slow-moving rivers. Heavier-than-water Giardia cysts
tend to sink to the bottom in quiet waters, while a fast-moving stream keeps
them suspended.

Another myth is that freezing will purify. Truth is, most disease-causing
bacteria are resistant to freezing. "Yellow snow" jokes aside, remember that
clean snow is preferable to frozen surface water.

Then there's the old miner's recommendation that liquor will cleanse water.
Although rubbing alcohol is a medical disinfectant, alcohol meant for drinking
can't be relied on to sterilize water in the field.


Sidebar: OUT OF SIGHT

So just how big are these organisms that can make you sick as a dog and taint
your memories of a splendid piece of wilderness?

1.0 micron = .0000394 inches
1000 microns = sand
700 microns = tip of a sewing needle
200 microns = edge of razor blade
100 microns = pollen
80 microns = human hair
35 microns = smallest visible mass
30 microns = larger bacteria
21 microns = length of Giardia trophozoite
5 microns = width of Giardia trophozoite
0.8 microns = Clostridium botulinum (produces botulism toxin)
0.7 microns = Salmonella enteriditis (causes common food poisoning)
0.4 microns = Shigella dysenteriae (causes dysentery)
0.4 microns = smallest bacteria
0.6 microns = larger virus
.01 microns = limit of filtering
.004 microns = smallest virus


Sidebar: PRESERVING PURITY
Subtitle: What You Can Do

QUESTION: What's the single most important technological contribution to human
health and well-being? Obviously it's the flush toilet. Think about it. The
lowly water closet vastly improved humankind's crude waste removal practices
that had been putting parasites, bacteria, and viruses in the drinking water.
The long-term result has been to extend the human life span and raise the
quality of life.

The problem is that the backcountry isn't equipped with toilets. They do have
birds and trees and squatting spots with great views, though. (No one ever
feels the need to takes a newspaper to the woods.) Improper disposal of human
fecal material can have a dramatic impact on the quality of the backcountry
water supply. Here's what you should know:

Toilets: dispose of feces or urine at least 200 feet from water. Use surface
disposal of feces in low-use areas, and catholes where use is higher.

Wastewater: If you use soap (try not to), make sure it's phosphate free. All
dish washing should be done at least 200 feet from a water source. Don't
concentrate wastewater in a single location; scatter it. In bear country,
dispose of wastewater in a sump hole.

Food Residue: Don't wash pieces of food off pans, dishes, or cooking utensils.
Wipe cooking implements clean and pack garbage out.


Sidebar: GIARDIA, THE INFAMOUS ONE

GIARDIASIS probably has the dubious distinction of being the most talked about
and most feared water-borne microorganism.

It's commonly called backpacker's fever and beaver fever, although the second
tag is a bit unfair. Conventional wisdom long held that beavers spread Giardia
cysts by untidily defecating in and near water. But recent studies show that
beavers downstream from Forest Service campgrounds have a higher rate of
Giardia infection than do those in true wilderness areas. The conclusion: an
even more prolific and untidy animal (humans) share the blame.

The Giardia parasite takes on two different forms during its life cycle: the
trophozoite, which lives and breeds in the intestine of the host (that's you),
and the toughwalled cyst, which can survive for months in water. Once ingested,
the cyst breaks down and releases up to four trophozoites. Once it has reached
your intestines, a single trophozoite can produce up to one million baby
parasites within 10 days.

Drinking as few as six of the microscopic cysts can cause infection. Six to 20
days after infection diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, and vomiting may
start. Some sufferers experience weight loss. The symptoms persist for 10 days
to two weeks, and can be treated with prescription drugs. The good news out of
all this is that only 25 percent of those infected develop symptoms.

One other parasite deserves mention. Echinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm found
in areas frequented by moose. It's infamous on Isle Royale National Park in
Lake Superior, where the wolf and moose populations ensure plenty of homes for
the tapeworm. Eggs are ingested and reproduce to form cysts in the lungs and
liver. It's best to boil as well as filter your water in moose country,
although you're probably safe using a filter with an absolute pore size of 25
microns or smaller.


Sidebar: A CHLORINE PRIMER

IN DAYS OF YORE, the preferred way to treat backcountry water was with Halazone
tablets, which release chlorine (similar to household bleach). But chlorine
wasn't a panacea. Scientists discovered that it reacts with other organic
materials in the water, which reduces its effectiveness. Halazone has a shelf
life of only a few months if stored at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter, and
within two days of opening the bottle and exposing the tablets to air, the
potency is reduced and it can become hazardous to the user. If that isn't
enough reason to stop using chlorine, there's more: It can combine with certain
organic materials to form carcinogens called trihalomethanes. It's no surprise,
then, that iodine has replaced chlorine in many a pack.


Sidebar: HOME VS. CAMP: WHICH IS SAFER?

Ahhhh ... home at last after a long weekend on a favored trail. The tent is
spread out to dry and your fluid paranoia can be stored until the next trip.
Not quite, according to disturbing' statistics from the Water Quality
Association, a trade group that distributes information on water quality
problems and solutions.

A WQA survey found that over 20 percent of respondents said they don't feel the
quality of the water in their homes is acceptable. This is reflected in
steadily increasing sales of home drinking water treatment equipment and
bottled water over the past six years (38 percent of the $7 billion-a-year
water treatment industry).

But those who want to sell you filters and bottled water aren't the only ones
advising caution. A National Wildlife Federation study noted 101,000 violations
of drinking water laws by public systems in 1987. And the EPA has proposed new
limits on 24 pollutants found in ground water, from industrial wastes like
dioxin to pesticides. The limits would require immediate action on the part of
2,300 of the nation's 80,000 public water systems.


Sidebar: A WHO'S WHO OF WATER
Subtitle: A simple phone call can tell you what sort of nasties to expect.

Trying to find out what may be lurking in the water where you're headed is like
slogging through alphabet soup. There's the EPA, DNR, USGS, as well as a host
of other acronyms guaranteed to confuse.

If you're destined for a national park or forest, call headquarters and ask if
there are any known water problems. Also ask about grazing. If that doesn't
help, call the natural resources, conservation, or environmental department in
the state you plan to visit. Be forewarned that these agencies are used to
dealing with contamination of public water supplies and may not be very
familiar with conditions in the backcountry. Other possible sources of
information:

Water Quality Association, 4151 Naperville Rd., Lisle, IL 60532; (708) 505-0160.

Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St. S.W., Washington, DC 20460. For
information on pesticides and related chemicals, call the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network at 1-800-858-7378. The drinking water hotline is
1-800-426-4791.

Sierra Club, 730 Polk St., San FranciscO, CA 94109; (415) 776-2211.

Izaak Walton League, 1401 Wilson Blvd., Level B, Arlington, VA 22209;
(703) 528-1818.

United States Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Box 25046 MS 406,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225.

Trout Unlimited, 800 Follin Ln., SE, Suite 250, Vienna, VA 22180-4959; (703)
281-1100.

The EPA recently released its updated "National Water Quality Inventory," which
is available from the EPA Office of Water at the above address. Prepared every
two years for Congress, the document includes information on the quality of the
nation's rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, wetlands, and
groundwater. It gives region-by-region summaries of what's polluted and what's
not.

============== end of _Backpacker_ article =================

Edward Reid  (8*}>
  eel:   ed@titipu.resun.com  or  nosc!blkhole!ed
  snail: PO Box 378/Greensboro FL 32330
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry