Should I bring a water filter?

spwrangler

For a 5 week backpacking trip through norhtern india, should I consider bringing a water-filter that is fit for taking the viruses out of the water in india? Should I bring water (iodine) tablets? Should I bring anthying of this sort with me to purify water, or should I just simply buy lots of water for my 5 week duration? Thanks!

ericd

You can buy bottled water everywhere. If you really want you can take some purifying pills since they are very light and easy to take, but again - you can buy bottled water everywhere, don't worry.

isabel

You can also take 2% iodine, useful to purify water as well as to desinfect injuries. However, I found bottled water everywhere, and at restaurants where they didn't have it, waiters were very helpful and ran to buy it.

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vistet

You`ll find that you often get both when buying a a water filter : after filtering the water is lead past an iodine resin cartridge.Filtering first makes it possible using a lower iodine concentration.
The filter + resin combo is lighweight , relatively cheap and makes it possible not to be a part of the problem of the plastic crap that chokes mountainsides and streams.
I wouldnt feel happy relying on solely on a mechanical filter against viruses.
Some good info water treatment can be found on :
http://high-altitude-medicine.com/water.html

mira4bai4

I have noticed that more and more establishments have high quality purifiers as part of their kitchens and eating areas so if you were eating somewhere check on their own water. A small hiking purifier is excellent back up for any situation, even dodgy hotels for brushing your teeth when you run out of bottled water.

spwrangler

I think we wanted to bring either tablets or a water filter for two reasons. (1) just in case if we were in any shady situation, and when we go on a camel safari and a short trek in the mountians. (2) Most importantly, for inviromental reasons, I have a hard time seeing us go through 5 weeks of water buying new water bottles every time we need a drink. I don't think they recycle there? Are there ways to refil your water bottles there? I think my concern is 85% enviromental and 15% just incase.

Alan D

In the major towns and cities plastic bottles are recycled but it's a good idea to use a filter and/or tablets in other areas. In the mountains there are disposal problems and plastic bottles (and everything else) usually ends up in the nearest streams.

virajverma

And these bottels are various sizes so you can buy according to need.

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chappal

Here are my suggestions:
Drinking water - where does yours come from?

vistet

I share the same motivations. From my own experience I´ve seen refill solutions in Dhasa and Leh , I think somebody else here mentioned Rishikesh. There are bans on plastic bags in place some areas for the reasons mentioned by Alan D.