Stop Getting Sick! Purifying Water UK, The Truths Nobody Tells You

This is Part 3 of my series on bushcraft and wild camping Reducing pack weight, focusing on how to source water locally.
When wild camping and Hiking, its often not scalable to carry all of the water you need for a multi-day trip and so being able to source water locally and purify water in the field is a useful skill.
In this video we explain the risk factors involved and how to reduce them, along with detailed information about the various methods available.
00:00 Intro
00:21 Different Water Sources, Different Risks
00:45 Types of Risk
01:29 Where to Collect Water From
02:47 Collecting Water
03:19 Coarse Filter
04:07 Sterilisation - Boiling
04:43 Sterilisation - Chlorine Tablets
07:31 UV Light
08:09 Water Filters
10:26 Multiple Stage Purification
10:56 Safter Alternatives to Source Water

[@davidneal6920]

In the late 1980’s and early 90’s in New Zealand we became Giardia paranoid so a lot of people including myself carried water purifiers. But neither I nor anyone else I knew ever caught Guardia even drinking straight from the mountain streams so gave it away. Mind you these are pure mountain streams with no farming and few people. Unlike the lowland lakes and streams some of which I wouldn’t even swim in! Cheers Dave 🇬🇧 🇳🇿

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Yeah where I am it is very flat and there are millions of us crowded into a small space and that definitely creates some additional problems if you want wild time!

[@debbiedawsonpeterdawson3251]

A good source of water is a church yard as they usually have a tap.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Exactly, all this wild water stuff is useful, but if you can go turn on a tap, go turn on a tap!

[@dananorth895]

Found that out in my 20's back in the 80's. Always carry needle nose vice grips or tap handle. Pliers is best as some handles are custom safety and diferent sizes like commercial taps. A sheet of plastic w/line and spare collapsable water bottles are invaluble when it rains.

[@johnclose2925]

If it's from a church would it be Holy Water?😂😂😂

[@Chris66able]

The best method is to add grains, hops, and yeast.

[@TheBerendir]

Best answer! I'm currently drinking some of the water purified in this way 👍

[@jaywalker3087]

Hic🎉😅

[@dananorth895]

Thats the very reason humankind started fermenting grapes, grain etc. Beer, wine and applejack were very common throughout history to prevent sickness.

[@Chris66able]

@@dananorth895 I know, I used to have my own Pub.

[@nigelh3253]

Glad you talked about the rolling boil method. Definitely good as just requires a pot and fire. And then ready for a cuppa!

[@dogdadoutdoors]

And probably the best for dealing with biologicals to boot.

[@paaao]

I've been using a t-shirt and the steri-pen ever since it came out. Lots of giardia in my neck of the woods. One fun trick is to hack off vines, or small tree branches, and put your sourced water in one dirty pot, with the vines or tree branch spanning from the dirty sourced water supply and dangling above an empty vessel. A few hours later, the living branch will pull up and filter the water just like it does for the tree and the leaves/fruit. Just make sure you point the vines/branches in the same direction that they were orientated before you chopped them off the tree.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Great tip!

[@marksadventures3889]

Always great content. I have a few filters and just got another delivered like a Sawyer mini. I have my Oasis tabs too. After that I still boil it.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Its one of them where if there is no harm taking those extra precautions, why not?

[@davidjacobs828]

@@dogdadoutdoors " the highest mountain in the UK is ""well under 2,000ft high ""?? Nope. ...

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@@davidjacobs828 Yes, you are right, I meant metres.

[@davidjacobs828]

@@dogdadoutdoors OK, thst makes sense ,thanks for taking the time to reply. I just use the grayl geo press , and pre filter out any turbidity in order to prolong the filter module life . It removes everything ,including chemicals ... 1 litre of pure drinking water in 10 seconds . As far as uk tap water goes ... NOPE Chloramine, fluoride ,prescription drug residues including female hormones ,lead ,arsenic,aluminium, cryptosporidium,glyphosate ,organo phosphate .....the list goes on .... My Berkey water filter makes tap water safe to drink .

[@user-wt8jp4qx6l]

Great vid - thanks. As a fell runner, wanting to move fast and light over mountainous areas, I've often carried a Sawyer filter for years now, and use it on the move, like a straw (i.e. ditch the bag that comes with it) to drink directly from becks and other sources. Alternatively, it screws into the tops of many water bottles, and so allows me to run with some quantities of water, which has been quickly taken from a water source, untreated, and drunk through the filter. Seems to work well and the filters last for 1000s of litres.

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

My rule of thumb is to filter everything, even from really clean-looking streams. Better to be safe than sorry. But don't forget that getting (edit:)the filter frozen equals its destruction.

[@billyandrew]

Unfortunately, not true, as freezing has little to no effect on some bacterium and pathogens.

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

@@billyandrew I mean the destruction of the filter; sorry for not being clear enough.

[@dananorth895]

Any oil will destroy just about any type of filter. While the portable straws filter out biologicals theres also chemicals as well. I made up a drip bag through a sawyer then a refillable carbon filter to container for the questionable sources.

[@saxoncrow2500]

Really enjoyed this very informative and well presented video. Great stuff.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@ryujbfvhju1555]

Oh gosh,when you mentioned Churches i thought you were going to say ...nick from the Holy Water Font 😂

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Laughing at thought of trying to explain myself to the vicar if caught doing that.

[@billyandrew]

All those fingers dipped into the water? Er, I'll give it a miss, thanks. 😂

[@tweedyoutdoors]

That was extremely thorough, thank you!

[@dogdadoutdoors]

You are welcome!

[@ELUSIVEDARTMOOR]

I just done a basic water filter video yours is good

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Cheers buddy, I took a look and its fine. I learnt something, I didn't know you could get those filter caps for the 58 pattern bottle so I learnt' something too, thanks buddy!

[@nihil-hic-videre]

Great content. Thank you

[@dogdadoutdoors]

You are welcome.

[@FRANKYESS]

Scotland hits different 👌

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Yeah you are lucky up there if you like all this kind of stuff, I would love the wide open spaces and right to roam. I've been up a few times on holiday to go walking, such a beautiful place. Also lived near the Black mountains in Wales for about 11 years which is also beautiful, then moved to the South East for work, its good here and there is some beautiful countryside, but I do miss those mountains.

[@runner4754]

Great video. Very informative

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Thank you.

[@saswildman1]

Nice to watch. And learning something I've learned many times in life.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Thank you.

[@lettersquash]

Great info, thanks! An alternative filter that I use is activated charcoal granules, because as well as filtering out debris it reduces many of the organic contaminants present in lowland water sources from farm runoff, etc. (but not much good for inorganics more likely to be downstream of industrial areas). I've modified the top section of a plastic drink bottle to hold the carbon and let the water run through slowly, but it could also just be mixed into the water and left for some time (guesswork, I'm afraid) and then filtered out through clean cloth etc. I boil it afterwards as the main treatment, but carbon reduces colour and taste.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Yes charcoal is good for that. They use it in gas mask filters and I know they used to use it in the old nuclear, biological and chemical warefare suits, not sure if they still do. The filters I have, both the straw and the bottle have an integrated charcoal filter built into them. You really can taste the difference, even from the tap at home.

[@lettersquash]

@@dogdadoutdoors Yeah, I use charcoal on my tap water too, just in a jug by the kettle for drinks.

[@installtekzdotcom9777]

I see if the farmer keeps sheep in a field then I kind of know he doesn't use chemicals in that particular field. They also usually have drainage systems built in so I look for the source which will be a pipe nearby

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

The "how many minutes should I boil it for?" question is probably easily answered with a cheap microscope and an afternoon with the camera... Just if you're looking for video ideas! Great information as always, cheers.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

There is a guy who does that, looks at different treatments etc then tries to grow whatever is left. pretty interesting stuff.

[@billyandrew]

Two minutes is the latest advice. I boil the water for three.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@Billy Andrew Is that for a specific country Billy? CDC recommends 1 minute, NHS 1 minute, but the WHO which operates in conditions most like you would find hiking and camping recommend simply bringing to a boil. There is nothing wrong with boiling it longer though, it just uses more fuel which isn't an issue if you are boiling it over a fire.

[@dananorth895]

I'd always heard 5 min. boil when growing up. I still do better safe than sorry! As for fuel that depends on whether it's a natural source or gas/liquid you packed in.

[@hampshireoutdoorsandsurviv9340]

good info great video keep it up mate

[@dogdadoutdoors]

You too buddy, you are getting so close to that 500 now!

[@hampshireoutdoorsandsurviv9340]

@@dogdadoutdoors wahooo !!!!!!

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@@hampshireoutdoorsandsurviv9340 Congratulations! Well deserved too, I love what you are doing with your community.

[@suecharnock9369]

I have a Naked +Pod and filter. The only issues is it is a small hard bottle which, while almost indestructible, has its problems, as it can not be squeezed and the filter is so resistive to the water flow (= good filtration!) that it makes it difficult to fill another receptacle from it (dog bowl being the most important one!). But, if you dont mind frequent filling (small bottle) and not being able to decant to another it is brilliant.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

That is one of the drawback of the bottle type and one of the reasons I bought a squeeze type filter to go with it. My dogs can go through a lot of water, about 2.5 litres a day combined as one of them is pretty big. Gotta keep those guys hydrated.

[@ojolaliaku]

Learning something

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Thanks for that, nice to know its helping somebody.

[@ojolaliaku]

@@dogdadoutdoors Definitely, useful information

[@tonyrichardson2637]

Wiseman recommends boiling water 7 minutes at sea level, and add one minute per one thousand meters above sea level. i would filter it to get rid of chemicals, then boil it.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

I mean, it will definitely kill everything, but that's a lot of fuel assuming you aren't just boiling over a fire. That advice isn't in line with advice from the UK's National Health Service. American CDC recommends for 1 minute (under 2000 metres) but a lot of the research points to just getting it to a good hard boil.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

I was thinking more about this today, I assume you mean Lofty Wiseman? This was written over 35 years ago, no doubt using information that is even older. Sometimes it takes a long time for new knowledge to filter down to replace the old, particularly when it was so highly regarded. I know when I was teaching drill I had to undo a lot of the more experienced instructors mistakes because they were still teaching the about turn as TLV rather than the new method. This was decades after TLV was replaced!

[@dananorth895]

I remember 5-10 min from the 70's. Although my memories not what it used to be.

[@BushcraftingBogan]

@dogdadoutdoors I read some years ago that if you have bad or bitter water it is a sign of witches being nearby. I've been burning witches for years to treat my water and have had no problems yet.

[@leonperry123]

The millbank bag is one of the best items I've bought.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Solid bits of kit and very, very little to go wrong with them too.

[@billyandrew]

Not cheap, but worth the outlay.

[@leonperry123]

@@billyandrew mine was a less than a tenner. Tablets cost a couple of quid.

[@epcstrathclyde]

You missed out the best water purifier, the "LIFESAVER" bottles. I use the "Bottle" and the "Wayfarer" for group or solo hikes.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Too many good brands to mention, thanks for watching!

[@niamhhopkins6368]

What about copper vessels? You didn't mention them. Like the work, thank you!

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Have to admit that is a new on me, not heard of those.

[@billyandrew]

@dogdadoutdoors Ancient purification method. Only drawback is having to leave the water in the vessel, for some time, usually around 8hrs, in order for it to be effective. It's supposed to have the added benefits of copper ions in the water and cleaning the vessel is regarded as a palaver.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@@billyandrew Thanks, sounds like something that might be more useful in survival/off-grid living. For general hiking and enjoying the outdoors, 8 hours is a long time to wait.

[@dananorth895]

Silver has also been used throughout history. A silver coin placed in milk will help prevent it's souring. It's also used as antibacterial. It seems it interferes with bacterias ability to reproduce as well as affecting it's cell walls. No harm to humans though.

[@Mugwumps107]

What are your opinion on the Grayl system Dad Dog???

[@dogdadoutdoors]

They have good marketing, but have never used one so couldn't say how good it is. They do seem quite pricey compared to the competition though, £90 a bottle then £25-£30 for a replacement cartridge that does 250 litres. Water2Go roughly a third of the price to buy and replacement filters £12.50 for 200 litres and they both seem to do similar things. You can do also get something like the survivor filter that will do 100,000 litres for less than £30, although the charcoal filter is only good for 1,000 litres if you want to filter chemicals, then about £12 to replace.

[@nbandpinportugal]

Is rain water collected away from trees etc and collected in as clean a way as possible fit to drink as is ?

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Rainwater is one of the safest sources of water you can collect in the wild, but you should still treat if prior to drinking. as it can pick up stuff both in the air and through all of the surfaces used in is collection.

[@dananorth895]

Particulates and chemicals unfortunately.

[@tattaylor4786]

Mountains in UK well below 2000 feet? I think you mean 2000 metres. At this altitude it's recommended to boil water fro at least 3 minutes due to the lower boiling point.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Yes, you are right, I meant metres. But as I said, I'm not covering that.

[@eddiehughes371]

If I was to use a Millbank bag then into a gravity filter such as platypus and finish with a boil. Would that be enough?

[@dogdadoutdoors]

If you are looking at something like the gravity works system, its going to remove almost all of the bacteria, parasites and the vast majority of the viruses and then boiling will kill anything that gets through. The only thing you are not covered for there is chemicals, so you will need to choose your source wisely. Up in the mountains above farmland you should be fine.

[@eddiehughes371]

@@dogdadoutdoors thank you.

[@leonperry123]

I use the millbank straight into my 1lt bottles adding one tablet. Never had a problem. Fruit shot for taste

[@billyandrew]

@leonperry123 Lemon scented bleach? 😉🤪

[@dananorth895]

Course filter through cloth or string/fiber filters. Settling in container can remove some heavy stuff. Then a propper fine filter like ceramic or sawyer etc. Followed by carbon to remove chemicals. Boiling can be done at any point if desired. Tablets/powder/liquid bleech or iodine crystals/drops can be carried as well. But learn how to use properly!

[@lattlekada]

Hi, I really want to get into wild camping, but I have no clue where to begin learning. I never did scouts or anything so I'm a complete newbie haha, what would you suggest? Any help appreciated 😁

[@dogdadoutdoors]

If you have a garden, I'd start there and try not to cheat, or at least, write down everything you do cheat on as that will help inform you what you haven't thought of and need to think about. How do I wash the dishes? Where do I put my rubbish etc? Work out what you can live without and how you are going to deal with the essentials. After that somewhere local before venturing further afield. keep trips short, a single overnight, then maybe 2 after a couple. You don't need lots of fancy kit, military surplus is bulky but generally quite good and inexpensive. You really just have to get out there and do it.

[@dananorth895]

A big part is finding out how much the weight of everything actually is when your out packing it. You really don't need alot, and a minimalist kit is best depending on conditions, goals etc. Thats where learned skills come in. Watching videos to get ideas and just become aware is a good start, but won't replace the real thing. That and having fun!

[@stevew585]

Sawyer Mini?

[@dogdadoutdoors]

I don't have any experience with that filter, but I'd treat them all very similar and assume on its own, its not quite good enough. That way the difference between 99.9 and 99.9999 is irrelevant if you boil it too. The only other thing to watch out for is chemical.

[@niamhhopkins6368]

All your methods take trust. You trust the science of boiling, trust the science of chlorine... trust the science/published research of the filter. No?

[@dogdadoutdoors]

To an extent I guess, but the boiling I only need to trust the principle of it and I can see it working, the chlorine is all factory controlled with an expiration date. The filter is mechanical in a way and its been living in the bottom of my bag for however long. I can't tell if I've put it down too hard and cracked it or whatever, plus all filters are a bit different, boiling is boiling if that makes sense.

[@billyandrew]

I lived in London, three decades ago, at which point in time the water was being recycled 16 times per day. Filtered and chlorine and fluoride added. Folk, in other cities and at least large towns, pretty much trust their local suthoritirs' systems, without realising how basic those systems still remain.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Have to admit, I was both reassured in my own personal endeavours and horrified at the same time when I started doing my research for the videos. I mean two filters filled with sand, I always imagined it would be some kind of high tech processing plant. I get they do a lot of testing, and if necessary they might do the odd extra step here and there but in the main, its pour it through a load of sand, add chlorine and enjoy!

[@mattyp80]

Please don't ever use that fake's name again!

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Ah, he may stay in a hotel but at least he's entertaining. The One I feel admiration for is his cameraman, they did a special mention to him on one show and he was doing everything he was, except he was hanging upside down, half way up a mountain and still filming!