Treating Philmont Water
Using Micropur
In 2005 Philmont introduced the use of Micropur tablets (Katadyn MP1 Emergency Drinking Water Tablets) as the recommended method for treating drinking water. The old method was to use Polar Pure which has been abandoned, not because it wasn't effective, but due to it limited availability. Of course filtering and boiling, as well as Polar Pure, may still be used.
Micropur is produced by Katadyn Switzerland and distributed by various dealers in the U.S.
Micropur MP1, which is registered with the EPA, is an easy-to-use water purification tablet that is effective against harmful bacteria, viruses and cysts. It is the only tablet currently registered with the EPA that effectively controls cryptosporidium, a waterborne cyst. MP1 has been extensively tested using EPA testing protocols. Micropur comes in a package of 30 chlorine dioxide tablets.
How to use Micropur:
Treatment for normal clear water (68° Fahrenheit or warmer): Add one tablet per liter. Replace the cap. Wait until the tablet dissolves (it's like a small Alka-Seltzer). It takes about 2 minutes to dissolve. Shake the water container. Then turn your water container upside down and loosen the cap to bleed water over the threads. Be careful not to unscrew the cap too far causing the cap to fall and losing your water. This is a critical step in order to prevent contaminated water from sitting untreated on the threads. Now wait a MINIMUM of 30 minutes. Water may now be consumed.
Under more challenging conditions the treatment time should be extended. Very cold (40° or colder) and dirty water should be treated for at least 4 hours. While Micropur MP1 is effective against bacteria and viruses in 15 minutes, it requires 4 hours for cryptosporidium in cold, dirty water. Therefore, labeling requirements include a 4 hour wait time for maximum consumer protection.
If your water temperature is between 40-68 degrees then extend your treatment time to something between 30 minutes and 4 hours.
There is virtually no smell or aftertaste as with iodine-based products. If your water is very dirty or truly suspect and you over treat (e.g., 2 tablets for 1.5 liters), simply open the container and let it breathe for a short while after treatment has finished. The chlorine taste and smell will dissipate.
Katadyn Micropur MP1 Tablets Purpose and Action:
* The only disinfection system effective against viruses, bacteria, giardia and cryptosporidium
* Fresh tasting water -- no unpleasant taste
* Easy-to-use tablets. Each tablet is individually packaged for longest shelf life (3 years)
* Meets EPA purification guidelines
Specifications:
* Purification method: Chlorine Dioxide Tablets
* Capacity: 30 tablets
* Output: 1 tablet treats 1 quart of water (premeasured...no mixing or measuring)
| Micropur MP1, which is registered with the EPA, is an easy-to-use water purification tablet that is effective against harmful bacteria, viruses and cysts. It is the only tablet currently registered with the EPA that effectively controls cryptosporidium, a waterborne cyst. MP1 has been extensively tested using EPA testing protocols. The test data is summarized below: | ||
| Microorganisms Killed | Contact Time | |
|
EPA Water #1 (clear, 20° C) |
EPA Water #2 (dirty, 4° C) |
|
| Bacteria | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Virus | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Cysts | 30 minutes | 4 hours |
| Note: Product instructions have a 4 hour contact time. Fulfilling the role of protecting consumers, the EPA requires that packaging claims for Micropur MP1 communicate how the product performs in the most challanging water conditions (water that is very cold and dirty). While MP1 is effective against bacteria and viruses in 15 minutes, it requires 4 hours for cryptosporidium in cold, dirty water. Therefore, labeling requirements include a 4 hour wait time for maximum consumer protection (see chart above). | ||
