Reservoir purification + taste improvement

[dane_alex]

I have a 3L Osprey reservoir and my partner has a 3L Source reservoir.
I am looking for the best way to achieve clean drinkable water (without the use of a water bottle) for overnight hikes.

I was thinking about using purification tablets as it seems difficult to use other purification systems with the bladder.
I am worried about taste of the tablets.

To the point:
Does active carbon remove the taste of tablets?

[Picaro]

I have a Sawyer inline filter....clips into the hydration line. They guarantee it for "a million gallons".

[alanoutgear]

+1 for the Sawyer. Brilliant bit of kit.

[Wolfix]

Is the Sawyer hard to drink through? I can't imagine how hard you would have to suck to get clear water through, given the pressure needed to pump through.

[Strider]

Is the Sawyer hard to drink through? I can't imagine how hard you would have to suck to get clear water through, given the pressure needed to pump through.

Pump into the reservoir and then drink it?

[Picaro]

Actually, you hardly notice the difference. The instructions say that once you notice resistance its time to use the adapter on a tap to backflush it, and you're off and running again. I'm yet to need backflushing on mine, i guess it depends on water quality.
heres a link to some oftheir gear. http://www.sawyer.com/water.html
I have the SP122 3way, which I'm happy with on my bladder. And when I'm overseas ( or a town water area,) I can connect it direct to the tap for clean water.

[neilmny]

Is the Sawyer hard to drink through? I can't imagine how hard you would have to suck to get clear water through, given the pressure needed to pump through.

I've found them no more difficult to drink from than a hydration pack bite valve.
I don't think muddy puddles should be run through them though.
My understanding is that they are more of a bug filter than a particulate filter.

[Rob A]

Treat the symptoms. If the area you are in isnt renound for giardia and the like dont worry about it. More likely to pick up from poor hygiene, you or the bods you follow.

[Wolfix]

I would rather have odd tasting water or carry a UV filter than risk giardia. Far from just a normal stomach bug, it can permanently damage your gastric system so that you have IBS symptoms for life. As someone who has enough stomach problems as it is, I am extremely cautious about drinking water when bushwalking and others should be too, because as you said it can be passed on from others easily and not everyone has good bush hygiene. The less giardia around, the better. I don't support anyone taking their chances with protozoan cysts. It only takes one, and there isn't a natural water source on earth that it hasn't been found in.

[Jasonholman]

I was told about and tried powdered cordial, great for covering up the taste of the tabs, lightweight too. Works for me, cost was a couple of dollars from the local supermarket.

[photohiker]

Actually, you hardly notice the difference. The instructions say that once you notice resistance its time to use the adapter on a tap to backflush it, and you're off and running again. I'm yet to need backflushing on mine, i guess it depends on water quality.
heres a link to some oftheir gear. http://www.sawyer.com/water.html
I have the SP122 3way, which I'm happy with on my bladder. And when I'm overseas ( or a town water area,) I can connect it direct to the tap for clean water.

Good info, thanks.

Last trip to Scotland, I used the Travel Tap. Whilst it's bug coverage includes viruses, it's flow rate was pitiful. By the end of 2 weeks I was having to KNEEL on it to get any water flow. And that was using clear water the whole way. They quote 300-600ml per minute. It was a lot slower than that, even when brand new.

My new hydration system is a Sawyer SP122 3-way like above on a Platypus 'Big Zip' SP 2 Litre bladder system. I'll keep a 1 Litre Platy in the kit to cover water in camp.

The only downside to the Sawyer that I can see is that it will fail if frozen. Good thing it comes with quick-release connections - I will extract the filter from my pack and chuck it in a ziplock in or around my sleeping bag overnight.