by Bethany Leino

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: July 17, 2009

Natural flowing streams look beautiful, clear and cold, but don't drink from them. That stream flowing past you campsite may look delicious, but drinking from those waters comes at a price. Even in the clearest looking water dwell numerous toxins, bacteria and other organisms that may be hazardous to your health, or even deadly.

In fact, in the continental U.S no fresh water is considered safe for raw consumption. One of the main culprits is the spread of the germ Giardia. Giardia is a small protozoan parasite (single celled organism) that lives and spreads through water. According to the CDC Giardia is the most common water borne illness. It can cause diarrhea, dehydration and sometimes even death if consumed. At this point in time it is assumed that all fresh water bodies in America carry at least some level of Giardia. This was not always so. Giardia began to spread when people began hiking and exploring the wilderness. Poor waste disposal practices would release the germs into the water. It is important to always practice proper waste disposal while in the wilderness. Do not dump into fresh water, and always bury wastes away from the water.

It is also very important to stay hydrated while camping. You should always have plenty of water, especially if you plan on being active. There are a number of things you can do to ensure that you will have an adequate water supply. If you do happen to be out in the middle of the wilderness and in need of water, bring something you can use to boil the water in. Boiling water at a rolling boil for at least three minutes will kill and break down the vast majority or harmful substances in water. If you don't want to bring a pot with you everywhere you go, most sporting goods or camping supply stores will sell a number of different tools to purify water. These range from special bottles with filter tops to tablets you can dissolve in your water. Please be sure when looking into these items that they are intended for this purpose. The filter you put on your tap at home is not the same as a filter meant to purify water in the wilderness.

You never know what is in water just by looking at it with the naked eye, so never assume that it is safe! There could be a whole host of bacteria or other harmful contaminants, and they come from all kinds of sources. Threats such as human or animal waste, or even just naturally occurring bacteria are always present. It is best to provide your own water that you know is pure, but if you are ever in a survival situation, be prepared to purify your water before you drink. It will save you a world of hurt.

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