Five Frightening Water Myths - and the Facts Behind Them
A mysterious noise outside the tent might give you a fright this Halloween. An unreliable piece of advice about drinking water deserves your attention too.
From crystal-clear streams to the promises printed on a filter box, it can be surprisingly easy to make assumptions. Here are five water myths worth putting to rest before your next adventure.
Myth one: Clear water is safe to drink
A stream can look inviting enough for a scenic selfie and still contain microorganisms that could make you ill. Clarity tells you nothing about the presence of bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
The fact: appearance alone cannot establish whether untreated water is safe. If you are collecting water outdoors, choose your source carefully and use a treatment method appropriate to the risks. That means a reliable purifier that will remove all kinds of microbiological contamination, sediment, and silt, as well as chemicals and heavy metals.
Think about what could be upstream, too. A remote setting does not tell you everything about the water travelling through it.
Myth two: Running water cleans itself
Fast-flowing water often looks fresher than a still pool. Movement, however, does not guarantee that it is free from contamination. Human or animal waste can enter rivers and streams, including sources that look clean.
The fact: a flowing source still needs assessment and suitable treatment. Avoid collecting water near obvious pollution, sewage discharges, or agricultural runoff. If a source seems doubtful, choose another rather than expecting your equipment to solve every problem.
Myth three: Every water filter does the same job
The word “filter” covers a wide range of products. A jug designed to improve the taste of treated tap water has a different role from equipment intended to treat untreated freshwater on a hiking trip.
The fact: check the specific performance claims. Does the product address bacteria, protozoa, and viruses? What testing supports those claims? Are there limitations on the water you can use? Have tests been run for the entire life of the filter? What happens when the filter is used up?
For example, the LifeSaver Wayfarer is designed to remove bacteria, viruses, and cysts from freshwater when used as directed. And when the filter reaches capacity, no more water will flow through, so you won't accidentally drink contaminated water. That does not mean every product described as a water filter provides the same protection.
Make your decision using the evidence for the particular product, rather than the category name alone.
Myth four: Boiling fixes every water problem
Boiling is an effective way to kill disease-causing microorganisms when carried out correctly. But killing germs and removing chemical contamination are different tasks.
The fact: boiling does not make water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive contamination safe to drink. If you suspect that sort of contamination, use a different, safe source and follow local advice.
The same caution applies when choosing equipment. A purifier intended to remove microorganisms should never be treated as a universal solution for polluted water.
Myth five: Water that tastes fine must be safe
We often use taste and smell to judge food and drink. Those senses cannot reliably detect all water hazards, and harmful microorganisms may be present without an obvious warning.
The fact: a pleasant taste is not proof of safety. Equally, an unfamiliar taste does not automatically mean water is unsafe. Use reliable information about the supply or source, and investigate unexpected changes in tap water with your water supplier.
When choosing treatment equipment, look separately at microbiological performance and any claims about taste or odour. Improving one does not automatically establish the other.
Replace assumptions with a simple water plan
Before heading outdoors, ask where your drinking water will come from, what risks may be present and whether your chosen equipment addresses them. Read the instructions, practise using it, and carry enough safe water to cover a problem with your planned refill.
That leaves fewer mysteries in your water bottle—and more time to enjoy whatever adventure you have planned.
Explore LifeSaver portable water purifiers to find an option suited to your activities, and check each product’s tested capabilities and instructions before use. Get in touch if you have any questions.
For more information
CDC — Water treatment when hiking, camping, or travelling: