Water purification tablets

Purpose

Treat drinking water as a weightless backup to a filter — and against viruses a filter may miss.

Used in kits

• Severe Weather Home Shelter Kit

  Home Emergency

• Backcountry Water Treatment Kit

  Camping

• Alaskan Float Trip Fishing Kit

  Fishing

Alternatives

• Water filter— Faster and better-tasting; heavier and can fail if frozen.
• Boiling— Always works; costs fuel and time.

Maintenance notes

• Note the expiration date — potency fades.
• Keep the foil blisters sealed until use.

Buying considerations

• Chlorine dioxide leaves less aftertaste than iodine.
• Check the required wait time for cold or cloudy water.