by Nathan Rogers

Created on: July 28, 2009

Of all the materials critical to life none is more important than water. A person can go for weeks without food but only a matter of days without water. This can be particularly critical when camping. First it is best to understand the different types of camping and the water sources that you are likely to encounter.

First there is the campground camping. This is the tamest version of the recreation and generally by far the safest. In most cases there are water sources provided as well as sanitation facilities. In these cases pretty much all water is considered safe to drink unless noted as non-potable water. This is commonly found near waste disposal sites at organized establishments.

A second variety of camping would be a bit more off the beaten path but still accessible to vehicles. Depending on where you are at there may or may not be water nearby. If there is a plumbed water source nearby it is first recommended to use that. Failing this, there is often wild water sources that can be usable. In the United States we are blessed with some of the purest and cleanest waters in the wilderness available. As long as the water is actively flowing and does not flow near concentrations of cattle, it is generally safe to drink untreated in a pinch. That being said it is still best to try and always treat water from wild sources as there is always the possibility of contamination. If you are in a situation where you are out of water, look for clear moving water that is away from cattle and clear of any dead animals. If there are large amounts of cattle in the area, move up stream of the cattle until waters are found that are unpolluted by the animals.

There is also a third variety of camping which tends to be much more intensive. Wilderness camping should only be done by those with the training and equipment to make sure they are going to come out alive. Individuals doing this type of recreation will generally have the necessary water filtration systems and purification chemicals to make virtually any water drinkable. Generally the only limitation for a properly equipped camper would be the number of filters they have with them. Often particularly dirty water can quickly render a filter useless so unless in dire need, it is best to look for the clearest water you can find to start with.

In most cases, in the United States almost any water you find will be drinkable. That being said it is important to know the area you will be camping in. Some areas in the country, such as certain regions of Idaho, can have high concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic making it a very dangerous place to drink the water. Learn about the area you will be camping in and whenever possible, go equipped with water filtration systems designed for camping and purification tablets. With this equipment virtually all water is safely drinkable.

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