I will be going to China for a couple of weeks later in the year. The tap water is not drinkable primarily due to microbes but also can have chemicals in it. Some bottled water is not good either. So i was thinking of bringing a filter and/or water purification tablets. Any suggestions? I drink an usually large amount of water.
filter for drinking the water in China
- Thread starter joaks
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Where are you going in China? Have you been there before?
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There is a company that makes a "drinking straw which will filter water, (supposedly, you can drink from an open sewer with this straw). The last youth conference I went to with my Church bought a bunch of these to send to India. I can't remember the name - perhaps google "Purified drinking straw" - something like that.
Lifestraw
http://www.lifesaversystems.com/lifesaver-products/lifesaver-bottle
Not sure if they are still sold in the US.
Not sure if they are still sold in the US.
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Neither the tablets or the filter will take out dissolved chemicals. Still not a bad idea. I've used both. To be blunt if a filter flows water fast enough to be used as a straw it's not filtering as well as you need it to. So those either don't filter as advertised or they are painfully slow to drink from.
With Aquamira tablets I usually let the water sit overnight, but I think it only requires 2 hours. Still that's a lot of time if you're on the go often.
For filters a Katadyn (spelling) will do a quart of water in a minute or two, but it's a lot larger than the tablets and a mess to use.
Seriously, though, there are a lot of products that advertise to do what you want, but find a decent backpacking store (or even an REI) and get something that isn't a toy.
Edit: just as one more note the lifestraw (and there are plenty of even worse similar products) doesn't filter chemicals, metals, viruses per it's own documentation... and recommends chemical treatment for them.... in the instructions. At 25 bucks you're halfway to a backpacking pump that would last several trips, not several days.
With Aquamira tablets I usually let the water sit overnight, but I think it only requires 2 hours. Still that's a lot of time if you're on the go often.
For filters a Katadyn (spelling) will do a quart of water in a minute or two, but it's a lot larger than the tablets and a mess to use.
Seriously, though, there are a lot of products that advertise to do what you want, but find a decent backpacking store (or even an REI) and get something that isn't a toy.
Edit: just as one more note the lifestraw (and there are plenty of even worse similar products) doesn't filter chemicals, metals, viruses per it's own documentation... and recommends chemical treatment for them.... in the instructions. At 25 bucks you're halfway to a backpacking pump that would last several trips, not several days.
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http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Berkey-Portable-Water-Purifier/dp/B0026OKYPE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Nothing portable is 100% but I have faith in the Berkey Sports bottle and carry one with me while traveling. It does take some effort to suck the water thru the straw but if it was too easy, it's probably not filtering much.
Nothing portable is 100% but I have faith in the Berkey Sports bottle and carry one with me while traveling. It does take some effort to suck the water thru the straw but if it was too easy, it's probably not filtering much.
bepperb,
Per the link above to the Lifesaver Bottle, it says they "...remove all bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens without the aid of any foul tasting chemicals like iodine or chlorine or the need for any power or UV light."
Per the link above to the Lifesaver Bottle, it says they "...remove all bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens without the aid of any foul tasting chemicals like iodine or chlorine or the need for any power or UV light."
In general, if you open it yourself, it's OK. Soda, beer, bottled water are all OK. You're over thinking this...
I've been to China dozens of times, worry about what's on the menu, not what you're drinking, unless deep-fried dog and sautéed pig colon sound appealing...
I've been to China dozens of times, worry about what's on the menu, not what you're drinking, unless deep-fried dog and sautéed pig colon sound appealing...
Originally Posted By: Doog
Where are you going in China? Have you been there before?
Going to Beijing, shanghai and nanjing. I have not been there before. Ive have yet to leave North America.
Where are you going in China? Have you been there before?
Going to Beijing, shanghai and nanjing. I have not been there before. Ive have yet to leave North America.
Astro is right; if the water/juice/pop/beer bottle is opened in front of you, it's probably okay. I would still take the water bottle with me too. But be very careful about eating anything raw (I would say don't eat it). Oh, and take a bunch of Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol. Think about how much you need and then double it. I would even consider asking my doc for something industrial strength.
Been to a quite a few places that inevitably involved spending very long periods of time in the latrine or porta-potty. Not fun at all.
Once you get there, whatever happens - happens. Have fun!
Been to a quite a few places that inevitably involved spending very long periods of time in the latrine or porta-potty. Not fun at all.
Once you get there, whatever happens - happens. Have fun!
Honestly they have plenty of well known bottled water brands from the west that you can trust over there Nestle, Aqua Fina, ect. As long as the product is from a well known company like those you'll have no issues, make sure you buy from a large supermarket chain so you know the product is not too old.
Berkey and Katadyn make good portable water filters if you must bring one.
Anything out of a bottle or can that you see opened in front of you will be fine, including the bottled water. Beer is always safe, and the Chinese are a beer drinking people so you should always be able to find it.
If your hotel has a filtered water spigot in your room, don't trust it. Brush your teeth with bottled water or water you filter yourself.
Finally, bring a small unopened pack of Imodium in case all your caution is for naught (as it likely will be). It can make the long flight home bearable.
Anything out of a bottle or can that you see opened in front of you will be fine, including the bottled water. Beer is always safe, and the Chinese are a beer drinking people so you should always be able to find it.
If your hotel has a filtered water spigot in your room, don't trust it. Brush your teeth with bottled water or water you filter yourself.
Finally, bring a small unopened pack of Imodium in case all your caution is for naught (as it likely will be). It can make the long flight home bearable.
I travel to China often too. Bottle water is fine, every decent hotel will give you two bottles in your room and you can always buy more. Also, common in China are electric pots that boil water (for tea), they get water boiling hot in a hurry, and that will help nuke anything in there too.
You are going to have worse risks in China just by touching things and what is on the sidewalk in front of you! Enjoy the trip, Chinese are great people even if their habits are very very very different from ours.
You are going to have worse risks in China just by touching things and what is on the sidewalk in front of you! Enjoy the trip, Chinese are great people even if their habits are very very very different from ours.
Originally Posted By: joaks
I will be going to China for a couple of weeks later in the year. The tap water is not drinkable primarily due to microbes but also can have chemicals in it. Some bottled water is not good either. So i was thinking of bringing a filter and/or water purification tablets. Any suggestions? I drink an usually large amount of water.
A guy I know who went to China on business brought two suitcases. One with clothes and one with water and toilet paper. One the way back he filled the empty one with beanie-babies. He said at some bathrooms the matron at the door will give you ONE piece of toilet paper as you go in. None in the stall.
Many years ago my parents had a small DE-ionization filter they would use to make water for the clothes iron. Not sure if its still made.
I will be going to China for a couple of weeks later in the year. The tap water is not drinkable primarily due to microbes but also can have chemicals in it. Some bottled water is not good either. So i was thinking of bringing a filter and/or water purification tablets. Any suggestions? I drink an usually large amount of water.
A guy I know who went to China on business brought two suitcases. One with clothes and one with water and toilet paper. One the way back he filled the empty one with beanie-babies. He said at some bathrooms the matron at the door will give you ONE piece of toilet paper as you go in. None in the stall.
Many years ago my parents had a small DE-ionization filter they would use to make water for the clothes iron. Not sure if its still made.
Originally Posted By: RW1
Astro is right; if the water/juice/pop/beer bottle is opened in front of you, it's probably okay. I would still take the water bottle with me too. But be very careful about eating anything raw (I would say don't eat it). Oh, and take a bunch of Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol. Think about how much you need and then double it. I would even consider asking my doc for something industrial strength.
Been to a quite a few places that inevitably involved spending very long periods of time in the latrine or porta-potty. Not fun at all.
Once you get there, whatever happens - happens. Have fun!
I think you want 'Cipro' from you doctor, just in case you get really bad travel bug. It's worth having in your bag. It actually does something.
Astro is right; if the water/juice/pop/beer bottle is opened in front of you, it's probably okay. I would still take the water bottle with me too. But be very careful about eating anything raw (I would say don't eat it). Oh, and take a bunch of Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol. Think about how much you need and then double it. I would even consider asking my doc for something industrial strength.
Been to a quite a few places that inevitably involved spending very long periods of time in the latrine or porta-potty. Not fun at all.
Once you get there, whatever happens - happens. Have fun!
I think you want 'Cipro' from you doctor, just in case you get really bad travel bug. It's worth having in your bag. It actually does something.
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Watch out for ice in the drinks...
It's just frozen tap water...
It's just frozen tap water...
If you are going to SE Asia (incl. China), esp. metropolitan areas, then water should be the least of your worries.
You should be more worried about dirty food (improperly processed food,etc.) and hepititis contraction instead.
Get Twinrix shots before you go on the trip. It will protect you from hep A and B infection.
Q.
You should be more worried about dirty food (improperly processed food,etc.) and hepititis contraction instead.
Get Twinrix shots before you go on the trip. It will protect you from hep A and B infection.
Q.
Originally Posted By: Quest
If you are going to SE Asia (incl. China), esp. metropolitan areas, then water should be the least of your worries.
You should be more worried about dirty food (improperly processed food,etc.) and hepititis contraction instead.
Get Twinrix shots before you go on the trip. It will protect you from hep A and B infection.
Q.
Twinrix, smallpox, and I'd get a prescription for doxycycline (malaria, etc med)
If you are going to SE Asia (incl. China), esp. metropolitan areas, then water should be the least of your worries.
You should be more worried about dirty food (improperly processed food,etc.) and hepititis contraction instead.
Get Twinrix shots before you go on the trip. It will protect you from hep A and B infection.
Q.
Twinrix, smallpox, and I'd get a prescription for doxycycline (malaria, etc med)
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