When one is on the go, they can’t forget life’s necessities. This includes food, water, a stable living environment, and perhaps some form of entertainment. For hikers, travelers, and other outdoors types, actually getting a clean supply of water is going to be a tricky task.

Ultraviolet light works based on the principle that a virus or bacteria isn’t going to function very well if their DNA is scrambled. Ultraviolet light is going to essentially penetrate the weak membrane of the organisms, alter their DNA in ways that will render them useless, and keep the purified water around 99.9% free of harmful organisms.

The best alternative to purify one’s drinking water is going to be through the use of chemicals. Chemicals can be used to sterilize the drinking water, but they are often more expensive and can sometimes produce effects that may be unsafe to those drinking the water. Thus, UV purification is often regarded as the better of the two.

Another downfall to the chemical alternative is the fact that chemicals will often take longer to work. This may be a poor prospect for those who are dehyrdated and need water quickly. The ultraviolet purification process, however, is seen as very quick- usually not taking more than a couple of minutes. This will depend on the specific model being obtained, however, and one should look around for the best solution if possible. Don’t be scared to spend extra money for a better product!

Some models of the ultraviolet water purification products can run off of solar power. Obviously they will run on batteries in case of a storm or on a cloudy day, but this can help keep the device working longer on a camping trip simply because it is more energy efficient. And when stores that carry batteries can be miles away, this can be a potentially life-saving option. As such, consumers are urged to obtain models that carry this featured.

Consumers should be reminded that the act of purifying water in portable options is quite a complicated process that wasn’t available decades ago. Because they are still relatively new and feature latest technologies in their construction, UV water purifiers are typically going to be around $100 or more. Many will feature different options and add-ons, which are recommended if a consumer is serious about their safety while camping and hiking.

Closing Comments

Water purification has come a long way. Many are still stuck on using strips and chemical tablets, but as technology shows the clear winner, we’ll see ultraviolet models take the lead on the consumer market. Many models can be found online if not through local retailers, so be sure to have one before going on the next camping trip.