The Importance of potable water in your survival plans.

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How Important is Potable Water for Emergency Preparedness?

Throughout history, clean drinking water has been one of the most valuable resource known to man and at the core of man’s survival. There are many areas of the world without access to sufficient potable water or rely on water sources that are contaminated with toxins, suspended solids, pathogens, or disease vectors.

Drinking contaminated water or using it to cook can lead to chronic illnesses including everything from diarrhea and Typhoid to Malaria and Guinea worm; which are major causes of suffering and unnecessary death around the world. Reducing waterborne diseases by protecting and cleaning water sources has become a major goal for public health officials, particularly in developing countries. In the United States and Canada, a natural disaster or harsh weather could easily deprive large areas of the country of clean drinking water. Are you prepared to protect your family in the case of an emergency?

Hikingware.com has a full line of ProPur water filtering systems and water filter accessories for home use. Just one of these water filtration systems can save your life and the lives of your loved ones by filtering contaminated water or water from questionable sources through the process of reverse osmosis.

Propur Traveler Water Filter

Things to keep in mind when it comes to the importance and availability of potable water:
• You may be asking yourself, “What is potable water?”, but the answer is fairly simple. Potable water has been filtered, cleaned, or treated to meet the standards for drinking water, meaning that it is reasonably clear of contaminants and harmful bacteria. This makes the water safe for drinking and cooking. Water purified via reverse osmosis, distilled, or UV filtration and water treated within municipal water systems all qualify as potable water.
• Most non-potable water will be raw water from ground wells, springs, ground water, rivers, or lakes that is not treated. It is not safe to drink, as there are unknown contaminants in untested water. It is possible for non-potable water to taste normal, but carry serious health risks.
• It is common to worry about getting sick after drinking tap water, particularly because of news stories, such as those related to the Legionella outbreaks. Some people will choose to install a water purification system or simply drink bottled water.
• Bottled water can be an expensive item to purchase and it can actually be dirtier than tap water, depending on where you live and the bottled water you buy. Keep your family safe by making sure that the company supplying the water is part of the IBWA (International Bottled Water Association), as this ensures that they live up to the rigorous testing requirements for clean drinking water. Every year the IBWA sends inspectors to visit each of their companies, ensuring that the water produced by the plant is potable and safe.
• You can also spare yourself the additional cost of bottled water by having a private lab or your local health authorities test your tap water. If you discover contaminants, then simply purchase a unit that removes this specific contaminant.

How Does Potable Water Become Contaminated?

There are various contamination sources for water systems. The most common sources which lead to contamination include:
• Malfunctions in wastewater treatment systems (such as nearby septic systems)
• Sewer overflows
• Manufacturing processes
• Use practices on local land (such as concentrated animal feeding, livestock, pesticides, and fertilizers)
• Chemicals and minerals which occur naturally (such as uranium, radon, and arsenic)

750 million people currently lack access to clean water, and 840 thousand die each year from water-related illnesses. Make sure that you and your family are prepared for any emergency situation when you buy the Propur Water Filtration System today!