Safe drinking water is essential for survival. The world of emergency water filters can be a bit confusing, and quite overwhelming, as you consider which water filter you should purchase to produce clean drinking water when disaster strikes.
Which water filter should I purchase for emergency preparedness? There is no one best water filter for emergency uses. The best water filter is the one that meets your unique needs. The emergency water filter you select should be able to meet each of the following criteria.
- The water filter must be able to use the available water source, remove contaminants, and produce safe drinking water. Are you filtering stored water to improve taste, or are you filtering stagnant pond water that has been contaminated with chemicals as well as biological contaminants?
- The water filter must be the right size and weight for your specific situation. A Big Berkey water filter is not a good choice to take backpacking, and a LifeStraw is a lousy option for producing safe drinking water for an entire family.
- The water filter must be simple to use. Some filters require strength or are a bit complicated for a beginner and may result in unintentionally producing contaminated water. A LifeStraw may be difficult for someone who is weak and cannot produce enough suction to pull the water through it.
Providing safe drinking water for your family is one of the most important preparedness priorities. In this post, we are going to focus on water filtration. Remember that your safest source of water in a disaster is the water you have stored in your home.
Learn more about storing water in our post, How to Store Water for Emergency Preparedness.
What are the Dangers in Water
What is it that could be lurking in the water that has everyone so concerned? We divide the contaminants into two main categories; biological and chemical.
Biological Contaminants
Biological dangers in the water are microscopic organisms that are too small to be seen by the naked eye namely; protozoa, bacteria, and viruses.
Protozoa
Protozoa are the largest of the microorganisms and include such parasites as giardia and cryptosporidium. These parasites can be resistant to chlorine and iodine disinfection due to the protection of an outer shell. However, they are easy to filter out because of their larger size. Cryptosporidium is a common source of waterborne illness.
Bacteria
Bacteria are medium-sized microorganisms. E. coli, cholera, campylobacter, and salmonella are examples of bacteria contaminants in water. Most of these little creatures are large enough to be filtered out using a quality water filter.
Viruses
Viruses are so tiny (less than one micron) that they float right on through most filtering systems and must be deactivated using other methods. Hepatitis A and E, Norwalk virus, rotavirus, poliovirus, and echovirus are examples of viruses that can cause waterborne illnesses.
Chemical and Radiation Contaminants
Chemical contaminants cannot be deactivated through any form of disinfection. They are not live organisms. The only way to protect yourself from them is to physically remove them through filtering or distillation. Boiling or disinfecting will not work! The best removal method depends upon the individual chemical.
Examples of chemical contaminants could be heavy metals, salts, pesticides, fuels, pollutants, and other chemicals. Municipal drinking supplies are monitored, and use methods to control levels of these contaminants to assure water is safe to consume.
A nuclear event may contaminate water with dissolved radioactive elements or compounds and fallout particles. They cannot be removed from water by boiling, chemical disinfection or even distillation. Settling and filtering is the safest way to remove radioactive elements from the water.
Water Purification
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals and biological contaminants, along with particles (leaves, dirt, and such) to make water safe and pleasant to drink. It involves a series of basic steps to achieve; clarification, disinfection, and filtering.
Each step is important to achieving safe, clean drinking water.
Steps to Purify Water
The following steps are typically used for purifying water, although all steps may not be needed, depending on the water source. For instance; if the source is a contaminated municipal water supply, you may not need to clarify the water. A “boil order” is commonly issued when the water supply is contaminated with a biological pathogen. The water has already been clarified at the source, you need to disinfect it to kill the harmful pathogens in the water.
#1 – Water Clarification
Clarification removes floating or suspended particulate matter before disinfection. Think of it as making the water clear.
In this step, water is poured through coffee filters, layers of paper towels, tightly woven cloth or anything that will remove the big stuff you can see. Nature clarifies water as it passes through a porous medium such as sand.
Water must be clarified before disinfection to prevent biological contaminants from “hiding” in particulate matter and avoid deactivation.
# 2 – Water Disinfection
Disinfection is the second step. This is the process of killing or deactivating microscopic critters that cause illness and death. There are a variety of methods, but not all methods kill all harmful pathogens.
You can learn to disinfect water in our post, Making Water Safe to Drink: 7 Disinfection Techniques.
#3 – Water Filtration
Water filters screen out particles and are effective against pathogens down to a certain size. Many filters are unable to catch tiny viruses. Water purifiers filter out chemicals and biological contaminants, as well as use another method to kill the viruses that may get through the filter.
I prefer to disinfect the water before filtering it. The filter may remove the chemical taste and odor, making it more pleasant to drink. The cleaner the water, the longer the filter will last.
Filter Micron Rating
Filter ratings can be a little deceiving. Nominal micron rating refers to the average pore size. Some pores may be larger and some smaller. An absolute micron rating is the maximum pore size. Manufacturers may not always disclose the micron rating or specify if it is nominal or absolute.
All filters are not created equal. Only a few are rated to filter out viruses and do not require disinfecting prior to filtration. Pay close attention to the size of the contaminants the filter is designed to remove. Understand the limitations of your filter and use it correctly to produce safe, clean drinking water.
Shopping for an Emergency Water Filter
Shopping for a water filter can be a bit overwhelming. It is a good idea to start with a clear understanding of how you need your water filter to perform. Consider these questions before shopping for a filter.
- What exactly are you going to use the water filter for? Evacuation? Household water? Personal needs?
- How much water do you need to filter? 100 gallons? 10,000 gallons?
- What rate of flow do you need? One gallon a minute? One gallon an hour?
- Does the water filter need to be portable? Evacuation? Camping? Traveling?
- Who will be using it? Grandma? Children? Dad?
- How much can I afford to spend? $50? $100? $300?
We will review a few water filtration systems in each of the basic filter categories. This list is not an all-inclusive list – just some examples to consider.
Quality is important. You do not want to find out that your filter is a piece of junk by contracting a nasty waterborne illness.
Gravity Water Filters
Gravity water filters use gravity to pull the water through the filter. Water is poured into the top container, filtered, and is accessed through a spigot at the bottom. Again, the cleaner the water, the longer the filter will last.
Some gravity filters are not easily portable but are great for use on a countertop in emergencies or for everyday use. They produce large amounts of clean drinking water.
AquaRain Natural Water Filter
AquaRain Natural Water Filter is made from stainless steel. The filters are created out of a hard ceramic shell with a concentrated bed of Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) and self-sterilizing metallic silver. This filter removes most of the harmful organisms while leaving naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals found in the water. It is not rated to remove viruses. The ceramic filters can be cleaned up to 200 times and will last up to 10,000 gallons.
Berkey
The Berkey stainless steel water filters are great for in-home daily and emergency use. They are simple to use and look nice sitting on my countertop. They range in size from 1.5 to 6 gallons. There has been some controversy surrounding Berkey in the last few years. You can purchase DuraFlow filters that are interchangeable with the Berkey filters, if you are concerned.
Black Berkey replacement elements are classified as a water purifier and will remove nearly all contaminants, including a 99.9999% reduction of viruses. Each element will filter up to 3000 gallons. You can purchase them through USA Berkey Water Filters. Use the promo code Provident10 and receive a 10 percent discount.
The Berkey Water Filters are designed with holes in the bottom of the top tank for the filters. You operate the filter using only 1 of the elements and plug the remaining holes using the plugs provided. Or the filter can operate at full capacity with a filter element in each of the holes which will increase the flow rate.
Katadyn Base Camp
Katadyn Base Camp is a portable gravity filter that will filter to 0.3 microns. It will filter about 200 gallons of water at a rate of one quart per minute before needing a replacement filter. It is 3 x 6.5 x 2.4 inches and weighs 11 ounces. Water should be pretreated to kill viruses before running
through this filter.
MSR Trail Base Water Filter Kit
MSR Trail Base Water Filter Kit is a portable gravity filter designed for use in the backcountry. It uses a hollow fiber filter that is rated to remove bacteria and protozoa. You may need to pretreat the water with chlorine or iodine if your water. The Trail Base water filter cartridge will last for 1500 liters.
Pump Filters
Pump filters typically use a hand pump to force the water through the filter. These come in different sizes from portable individual pumps to larger pumps designed to service many people.
RapidFlow Survival Water Filter
The RapidFlow Survival Water Filter is a light and compact water filter making it highly portable. It will remove bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. It will also reduce heavy metals and contaminants such as lead, fluoride, and arsenic. The RapidFlow can be used to make water safe to drink from any non-salt water source. It will purify up to 250 gallons and doesn’t require additives or batteries.
Sawyer Water In-Line Water Filter
Sawyer uses hollow fiber technology which provides a high flow rate and outstanding water filtration. The Sawyer filters can last for hundreds of thousands of gallons with a little maintenance and backflushing.
PortaWell High-Volume Portable Water Filtration System
We love the PortaWell due to the amazing speed at which it can clean water right on location. It uses a car battery or portable power station to pump the water through the filters and can clean up to 60 gallons of water an hour. The PortaWell comes with 3 filters (a 1-micron sediment filter, a carbon block filter, and a 0.5-micron absolute ceramic filter). It will remove 100% of cysts or protozoa and 99.99% of pathogenic bacteria.
AquaBrick Water Purification System
The AquaBrick Water Purification System by Sagan Life makes storing, filtering, and transporting water easier. It removes viruses, bacteria, and protozoa from any non-salt water source. The Aquabrick holds up to 3 gallons and is watertight, airtight, and crushproof.
Katadyn Expedition
Katadyn Expedition is a pump filter designed to provide water for large groups and relief organizations. It has a cleanable 0.2-micron ceramic depth filter and weighs a little over 11 pounds. The Expedition will filter around 26,000 gallons of water, at a rate of one gallon per minute, before it needs a replacement filter.
Katadyn Pocket
Katadyn Pocket is a portable pump filter with ceramic depth filtration up to 0.2 microns. It is rated for bacteria and protozoa removal. It is highly durable with a 20-year guarantee. It will filter up to 13,000 gallons of water. It is made from aluminum, stainless steel, silicone, and ceramic materials. The filter is cleanable, not disposable.
MSR Miniworks EX Microfilter Water Purifier
Miniworks EX Microfilter Water Purifier from MSR is a compact pump filter that utilizes a carbon/ceramic element to produce up to one liter per minute of clean drinking water. It uses Aquatabs to protect against viruses. The cartridge life is around 2000 liters of water. The carbon core removes unpleasant tastes and odors. Each Aquatab will treat 2 quarts. The tablets have a shelf life of about 2 years.
HydroBlu Pressurized Jerry Can Water Filter
HydroBlu uses hollow fiber technology to filter water biological contaminants along with carbon filters that remove chemicals and heavy metals. The Jerry Can will hold up to 4 gallons of water and weighs 4.7 pounds. The filters have a capacity of up to 10,000 gallons.
HydroBlu has a couple of options to choose from:
HydroBlu Pressurized Jerry Can Water Filter
The HydroBlu Jerry Can standard package is rated to remove bacteria and protozoa from the water using a 0.1-micron hollow fiber filter. It will also remove chemicals and heavy metals with the activated charcoal filter. These filters will not remove viruses. Water should be pretreated with chlorine or iodine before filtering to kill viruses if they are a concern.
HydroBlu Pressurized Jerry Can Water Filter Virus-Free Package
The “Virus Free Package” is a much better option for only a little more than the standard package. The Pressurized Jerry Can Water Filter Virus Free Package has everything that the regular Pressurized Jerry Can Water Filter has with an additional 0.02 hollow fiber virus filter. You can use either the 0.1 hollow fiber bacteria filter or the 0.02 hollow fiber virus filter along with the activated carbon filter depending on your water source.
This is a fantastic portable water filtration system for a family. It is one of our favorite camping and evacuation water filters.
Suction Filters
Water is sucked through the filter by the individual at the point of consumption with a suction filter. One area of concern with the straw filters is the close proximity of your face to the contaminated water and the possibility of accidental contamination. Sucking the water through a filter can take a bit of work and may not be a good option for children, elderly, or compromised individuals. However, they are highly portable. Hydration pack filters can be quite convenient when traveling on foot.
XStream Straw Ultralight Water Filter
One of the things that I like about the XStream Straw Ultralight Water Filter is that my face is not close to the contaminated water. It is larger than other straw filters but I think the benefits are worth the larger size. You can purchase this filter with the hand pump to increase versatility. The XStream will remove 99.99% or greater of viruses, bacteria, and Cryptosporidium from 250 gallons of contaminated water.
HydroBlu Sidekick 3-Stage Straw Water Filter
The HydroBlu Sidekick uses a pre-filter membrane, an activated carbon filter, and finally a hollow fiber filter (0.1 microns). It removes protozoa, bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals. It is not rated for virus removal. It weighs 1 ounce and is 6 inches tall. It is a good option for traveling or in a bug-out bag. The activated carbon filter replacements will filter 50 gallons each.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter will clean water to 0.2 microns through the use of hollow fiber membranes. It is rated for 260 gallons per straw before it becomes clogged with debris and the flow stops. The straw intake end is inserted into the contaminated water for 30 seconds to allow water to saturate the membrane. Water should be pretreated for viruses if necessary.
Water Filter Bottles
Water filter bottles are a good option for personal water filtration. These can be used every day to improve the taste and safety of the water. They are lightweight and perfect for emergency kits, or to throw into a suitcase or backpack when traveling. Each water filter bottle is unique in the amount of water it will filter, the price, and the overall effectiveness of the filter.
Sawyer Personal Water Filter Bottle
Sawyer Personal Water Filter bottle has a 0.1 absolute hollow fiber membrane inline filter. It is rated to remove bacteria and protozoa. This bottle is simple to use, just fill and drink from the bottle. The manufacturer guarantees it will filter one million gallons.
Seychelle Water Filtration Bottle
Seychelle Water Filtration Bottle will filter 100 gallons of water or more depending on the quality of the water source. The standard bottles may use either a standard or advanced filter. The standard filter uses an ionic absorption micron filtration system and can be used with any type of water source except salt water.
The Seychelle Extreme Water Filtration Bottle is similar to the standard filter with the addition of iodinated resin resulting in increased removal of bacteria and virus to 99.9999%. Seychelle filtration bottles retail for around $35 and will filter up to 100 gallons of water.
Sport Berkey Water Bottle
Berkey Sport portable water filter uses an ionic absorption micron filtration system. It will filter around 25 gallons of water from any source, or 100 gallons from a municipal source. Before storing this device (after use), it should be flushed with a chlorinated solution and allowed to dry. Use promo code PROVIDENT10 to get 10 percent off.
HydroBlu Clear Flow Water Bottle Filter
The HydroBlu Clear Flow Water Bottle has a 0.1 micron hollow fiber membrane that removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, 99.9999% of all protozoa, and the activated charcoal in the filter reduces heavy metals, iron, sulfur, negative taste and any discoloration from your water. It is not rated to remove viruses. The filter has a life of 1,500 gallons.
The Best Water Filter for Emergency Preparedness
The best water filter is the one that meets your needs. There are many high-quality water filters to choose from but there are also some cheap ones with deceptive marketing. Do your homework. What is best for the risks that you are preparing for? You probably need a few different water filters to cover of your needs.
Emergency Water Storage
Sagan Life sells an AquaPod Bathtub Bladder Emergency Water Storage System with a Filter and Pump that is worth looking into for some emergencies. This is a great resource you can store and use if you have enough advanced warning to fill your bathtub. This system combines the Journey Filter, used in the Sagan Life XStream Straw Water Purifier, with a BPA-Free Food Grade (LLDPE) plastic line. This kit lets you utilize your bathtub for clean drinking water during a crisis.
What Emergency Water Filter is Right for You?
We have given you a lot of information to think about. There are many water filters that we haven’t even talked about that may be a good choice for your emergency water purification needs. Just remember the basics. What are your potential emergency water filtration needs? Will your filter be able to produce the clean drinking water you need for the number of people you have and from the water sources you have available?
Your plan should be uniquely tailored to meet your needs. Take your time and consider the needs of your family. If your budget is limited, start by purchasing a less expensive filter that will provide you with safe drinking water if disaster strikes today. Then save up for one that will better meet your needs. You got this!
Thanks for being part of the solution!
Jonathan and Kylene Jones
