Shallow/Dirty Water Filtering

[kitandace77]

Maybe this is a well known tip, but figured I’d share in case it helps anyone. I struggled filtering water with sawyer and similar bags in very small or shallow water sources. This past year I brought a 200ml syringe along and sucked water from the cleanest spot in the water source then discharged into the filter bag. It can take awhile but it sure helps open up usable water sources and the syringe barely takes any space in a pack.

Also when dealing with really nasty cattle pond “water” I used the syringe to pull from the clearest spot, avoiding any bugs or other particles that stack on the surface. I then put a coffee filter and small funnel on top of my dirty water bag and prefiltered it. This made my filter last much longer without needing to backwash and gave better tasting water.

 

[Serrano]

I'm not drinking from a "cattle pond" unless I'm dying.

I like the syringe idea for small seeps though.

 

[kitandace77]

I'm not drinking from a "cattle pond" unless I'm dying.

I like the syringe idea for small seeps though.

Its amazing what I’ll do to camp closer to elk

 

[2531usmc]

I’m pretty amazed that a portable filter can make “cattle pond” water safe to drink!

 

[wyoguy]

In the small seeps I'll dig out a bigger hole or dam it up to create a pool area for easier water access if it's possible. Or try to build out a little funnel with sticks to get it to run into my dirty bag. The syringe deal would work if that's the best option you have.

 

[kitandace77]

In the small seeps I'll dig out a bigger hole or dam it up to create a pool area for easier water access if it's possible. Or try to build out a little funnel with sticks to get it to run into my dirty bag. The syringe deal would work if that's the best option you have.

I’ve tried that and really struggled to make a big enough pool with tiny trickles in rocky terrain but it does work in some spots

 

[kitandace77]

I’m pretty amazed that a portable filter can make “cattle pond” water safe to drink!

Made me nervous for sure but I was careful to not allow any dirty water to bypass the filter and didn’t get sick

 

[2531usmc]

For east coast hunters, filtering water in the field is a pretty rare thing

 

[kitandace77]

For east coast hunters, filtering water in the field is a pretty rare thing

Yes I’m from the Midwest and never owned a filter until my first elk hunt 4 years ago

 

[Serrano]

For east coast hunters, filtering water in the field is a pretty rare thing

I live in CO but grew up in UT. I drank from the creeks in the 70's and didn't get sick. I filter, but mostly pack water now.

In 1981 I went to SERE school in Maine. We weren't allowed to drink from what looked to be a pristine creek. But the month before near Pensacola they let us drink right out of the creek without issue.