Aquamira water purification: Why we like it, how we use it
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- čas přidán 28. 02. 2024
- For about twenty years I've used Aquamira to purify my water in the backcountry, and we've used it from the start in 2011 on our guided trips. To make it more user-friendly, efficient, and longer lasting, we modify the manufacturer's recommended instructions in three ways.
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Very interesting system. Thanks for sharing. It seems to make a lot of sense in places where the water quality is less than ideal and the availability is limited, with resupplies few and far between (desserts and canyons) where you might need to carry gallons at a time. I run a trekking business in the tropical jungles. For us, the best system is the hollow fiber filter. Luckily our water is abundant and of very good quality, no below-freezing temps to worry about. So filters don’t clog as often and don’t freeze. If a filter breaks, we use tablets as back-ups. But generally there are enough filters in the group to cover those failures.
However, I’ll make a point of trying the drops for my next dessert adventure. Thanks again for putting this out.
Didn't realize pre-mixed solution can last for 24 hours. You just saved me a lot of math during my unsupported FKT's. That's vital on day 5 when I'm going into sleep deprivation and counting to 7 becomes a challenge.
Really enjoyed this Andrew! Always been a sawyer squeeze guy but I keep meaning to mess around with drops, so this is a helpful guide. Thanks for putting this together!
Perfect video! Was struggling to find information specific to backpacking in regards to aquamira. This captures all of my questions in one video. Thank you, Andrew!
Thanks Andrew, answered all the specific questions I had about this after hearing you mention it during the live stream.
Thanks for sharing. Looks handy for treating large amounts at stops. After the last video I was tempted to pick up MLD's kit since it comes with smaller dropper bottles. Thinking about using a contact lens case and doing a mix before starting a short trip.
Thank you Andrew really appreciate all of your videos, nothing but the best.....you mentioned that you preferred the drops over tablets but not why......could you comment on that ? Thanks a million....looking forward to your upcoming live "How to plan a backpacking trip...
The tablets are simpler, but the drops are more flexible and much more cost effective.
I’m a little confused. At 6:05 you state that you use 6-8 drops of premix but I’m not clear in which size container as you had both the 1 liter bottle and the 2.4 liter Platypus container in front of you. At 6:43 you do state that you use 6-8 drops of premix in the 2.4L Playtypus container but increase dwell time to insure purification occurs. So that’s less than half of the “play it very safe” dosage level you mentioned the Aquamira instructions recommend but I understand you are compensating for the lower dosage by increasing contact time before consuming the water. How many drops do you use of premix in one liter of water with only 15 minutes of dwell time? I normally use the Sawyer Squeeze filter but prefer Aquamira or the equivalent tablets in colder temperatures when freezing of your filter gets very risky.
YMMV. I use 6-8 drops for one liter of water if I want to drink it in 15 minutes. I'll use the same 6-8 drops for 2.4-liter Platybottle if that bottle will sit out overnight or in my pack for hours.
Understand. Thanks for the feedback and clarification.
Hi Andrew, thanks for your thoughts on the big AM! Just wondering if you've considered the single-drop volume variance between different dropper bottles? I transferred Aquamira into empty eye drop bottles because they were small, and was shocked by how quickly I used them up. After returning home, I did a comparison between these small dropper bottles and the stock Aquamira dropper bottles (the square ones), finding that the Aquamira drops were lower volume. Aside from blasting my water with a higher chemical concentration than necessary and the associated inefficiency, I don't see anything wrong with this (ratio A to B is the same), but I've since returned to using the Aquamira branded bottles. This could just be an issue with eye drops in particular, and not the bottles that you and your team use.
If you opt to use different dropper bottles, you must compare the droplet size of these new bottles relative to the manufacturer bottles. A quick test would look something like this: put 10 drops of a and 10 drops of B into the dropper bottle. If you get 20 droplets back, the drop size is the same. If you get less or more, you'll have to do some adjustment. It's been awhile since I tested the US plastics bottles, but I think that they are almost exactly the size of the manufacturer bottles.
Bueno, makes sense. Thanks, Andrew!@@skurkaadventures
I’ve come to the same conclusion about water purification as you have especially in light of the potential failures with filters and other methods except I use micropur which has the advantage of no mixing. You mentioned it in passing but I really didn’t understand why you have dismissed it. It seems more complicated to decant, then have three different bottles and having to do your premix every day than to just toss a tablet in and forget it. I think I get 30 tabs for $13. Is it the expense that justifies using aquamira? Thanks for the video
I like the drops because they're more flexible and cost effective
I had Aquamira from USA but couldn't get in Europe. Then I found equivalent for 10€ (treating 60L) and then saw that the tablets (same brand) were 5€ for 60 (treating 60L).
So I have switched to tablets. I'm always doing 1L so flexibility not necessary
Downstream of sewage plant comment - not good. None discharge raw sewage. All sewage gets treated. Sad to hear you say that. Please educate yourself.
There are countries outside the USA that have much looser standards then our own regarding waste treatment. Please educate yourself.