What should be done about clean drinking water, while backpacking in India? Is there a good water filter?

camping backpack india image

Faith

We will be in remote villages. Many times there will be no places to buy bottled water.
This question has been asked before, but was closed... What are practical items to take on a backpaking trip through India?

Answer
The following seemingly over cautious approach is due to the fact that foreigners and unacclimatised persons lack natural immunity to basic water bugs.

(Unlike indigenous persons accustomed to waters even in large cities where water is generally considered to be cleaner or available.)


Unless bottled, filter All water or sterilise with tablets:
- Regardless filtered or sterilised, boil at no less than hundred degrees celcius;
- If in doubt of the authenticity of bottled mineral water, boil it;
- Water brought from concierge unless bottled;
- Drink from can drinks where available.
- Bottled water may be purchased in most hotels and restaurants prior to leaving to rural areas;
- Charcoal water filters are Ineffectual.


With above Sterilised and Boiled water:
- Brush teeth, wash face and open wounds;
- Cook food;
- Wash hands with soap after visiting public toilets, including those in the lobbies of hotels;
- Avoid touching exposed areas of the face after touching various objects. Buy sanitised disposal wet towels; water bugs are not visible to the naked eye.


Packing room being available:
- Nominal amount of anti-diarrhea pills to tie over the near term emergencies until one familiarises where to purchase local remedies;
- Packets of isotonic liquids to replenish ions in the body after purging.
Either of the above would not hurt eitherâ
- Cipro, mentioned above by Krista C locally available.


Be Aware:
- Public places clean in appearance whose food and water are generally consumed by locals or accustomed foreigners;
- Despite precautions, a probable chance to be affected by the water over time. All it takes is an act of bravado or laise faire approach to land one in the many the pleasures of seeing Taj Mahal of toilets. Allow the body to acclimatise gradually to local water through local foods should stay exceed a month.
- Any inoculations should be performed a month or longer prior to going there.

Note:
- Boiling water or sterilised water alone is inadequate in some rural areas. (Unless one has a hardy stomach.)
- Sterilise first then boil, reversing the process if not using water for cooking.
- Though not full proof, likelihood of stomach upsets are reduced.
- One puritabs or similar pharmaceutical grade are sufficient for a water jug full as it does make the water smell, hence leave alone for awhile. No requirement to boil.
- Lay off street side fruits.


---update--- Re: Water filters, group size and trip duration ?
Villages, off the cuff, buy:
- Triple the quantity of sterilising tablets and apply two to three times the strength to water, wait fifteen minutes or longer before boiling and consumption;
- Tins and ponchos from a camping store to collect rain water; or
- Solar powered water shower to supply both drinking and shower water.
---update--- Re: Water filters, group size and trip duration ?

what backpack/suitcase should i use?

P Fighter

i am going to travel around india for three months, what should i use to carry my stuff in. a big camping backpack or a small rolling suitcase. any suggestions?

Answer
Big Camping backpack with wheels (they do make these). Its just like a backpack but It has a built in wheels.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Title Post: What should be done about clean drinking water, while backpacking in India? Is there a good water filter?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown

Thanks For Coming To My Blog