wiiawiwb Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 https://bigfootforums.com/topic/70965-missing-411/page/30/?tab=comments#comment-1101660 A recent post in the Missing 411 thread precipitated this thread. It involves the drinking of water while out in the field. Cyanobacteria or toxic-algae bloom is something I was unaware until a few years ago. I'm not saying that is the cause in this case but it is something all of us who endeavor into the backcountry should be aware. We should be mindful of the color of any water we hope to filter then drink. It's a topic that's been discussed at both whiteblaze.net and backpackinglight.com. https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/139665-Water-purification-when-a-Sawyer-is-not-enough https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/83342/ There is a lot of moving water where I go although in the dog days of summer some creeks will dry up. If I lived in areas where cyanobacteria warnings were in place, or have historically occurred, I'd carry as much drinking water as possible rather then rely on filtering. Having said that, I'm considering getting the Sawyer S3. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRockBigfoot Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 49 minutes ago, wiiawiwb said: https://bigfootforums.com/topic/70965-missing-411/page/30/?tab=comments#comment-1101660 A recent post in the Missing 411 thread precipitated this thread. It involves the drinking of water while out in the field. Cyanobacteria or toxic-algae bloom is something I was unaware until a few years ago. I'm not saying that is the cause in this case but it is something all of us who endeavor into the backcountry should be aware. We should be mindful of the color of any water we hope to filter then drink. It's a topic that's been discussed at both whiteblaze.net and backpackinglight.com. https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/139665-Water-purification-when-a-Sawyer-is-not-enough https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/83342/ There is a lot of moving water where I go although in the dog days of summer some creeks will dry up. If I lived in areas where cyanobacteria warnings were in place, or have historically occurred, I'd carry as much drinking water as possible rather then rely on filtering. Having said that, I'm considering getting the Sawyer S3. Great thread, @wiiawiwb. I saw your post about this in the 411 thread. Going to check out your links today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VAfooter Posted August 21, 2021 Admin Share Posted August 21, 2021 Has there been any history of cyanobacteria in the area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madison5716 Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) I carry the Sawyer Squeeze for a filter and a Lifestraw water bottle. I've felt confident with these. Thousands of outdoors adventurers use the Sawyer. We get algae blooms in some of the lakes around here, but I don't think it extends to the creeks and rivers. That's kind of a scary story! Poor baby. Edited August 21, 2021 by Madison5716 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiiawiwb Posted August 21, 2021 Author Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, VAfooter said: Has there been any history of cyanobacteria in the area? I haven't looked to see if there has been in that area. I was absolutely surprised when I discovered a major lake near where I go sasquatching has had warnings in the past. I can't find any instances of it being confirmed. From what Sawyer is alleged to have said, their S3 filter will remove not only the cyanobacteria but the poisonous remnants as well. I can't find anthing on their website confirming this, which is a bit troubling, but would try to confirm before buying the S3. https://sawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sawyer-S3-Testing-Summary.pdf Edited August 21, 2021 by wiiawiwb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VAfooter Posted August 22, 2021 Admin Share Posted August 22, 2021 Just looking at some of the links you provided, the commenters were saying that there is nothing on the market at the present time that will get rid of the toxins after being treated. Filters can kill/remove the bacteria, but the toxins will remain. I am certainly no expert in thisarea, so I have no idea. However, that seems reasonable to me as it is much more difficult to remove poisons as opposed to bacteria. Be careful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiiawiwb Posted August 22, 2021 Author Share Posted August 22, 2021 Take a look at post #41 in the Whiteblaze.net link I provided. It is on the top of page 3 of that thread. The poster claims to have asked Sawyer and the Company provided its answer by email which, if all of that is true, indicates the Sawyer S3 does filter out the toxins as well. https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/139665-Water-purification-when-a-Sawyer-is-not-enough/page3?s=c6395b8c5328384a18731cc97b74d301 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VAfooter Posted August 22, 2021 Admin Share Posted August 22, 2021 Must have missed that comment. Interesting that it does not specially say that on the company site. If I were in need of one of them for my activities, I think I would still be hesitant about using it for that purpose. You get 20 ounces per use, and 400 uses out of the filter for $90.00. I know I would forget to count how many times I had used it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiiawiwb Posted August 22, 2021 Author Share Posted August 22, 2021 I couldn't find it on the Sawyer website either. I'd be sure to confirm with them before buying and would use it only during times when there was an alert or the water color was questionable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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