Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2003 11:05:36 -0800
Reply-To: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack <john.cook58@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: [vanagon] Water Purifiers - Possible Solution
In-Reply-To: <000501c2b1f8$2d1d5ce0$5f8e9aa6@laptop>
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On 1 Jan 2003, at 17:44, Larry Chase wrote:
Would those brighter than I please take a look at this water treatment
Apprach and let me know what you think.
Clipping:
"RV" Trav-L-PureR Water Purifiers
chemical free water purifiers - ideal for "Pop Up" Campers
looking for a purifier for larger RVs with water storage tanks - click
here
"RV" Trav-L-Pure water purifier is the only "outside hookup"
chemical-free purification system, specifically designed for "Pop Up"
campers (& smaller RV's ) that is certified to EPA Guide Standard for
Microbiological Purifiers
against bacteria, cysts, and viruses.
No hold time, electricity, chemicals or double pumping required!
"RV" Trav-L-Pure Water Purifier offers bottled water quality for great
tasting water for drinking and cooking needs. Just think- no more
expense or hassle of bottled water. Just purify water direct from
campground source.
http://www.generalecol
ogy.com/rvtravlpure.html
Larry,
Read the ad, but I'm very skeptical.
(1) They seem to claim it's more than just a filter then go on to claim
0.4 micron absolute with no explanation of any other purification
mechanism.
(2) They claim it's not chemical yet don't really explain how they take
out viruses (viri?). Be wary of anyone claiming to (reliably) filter out
viruses. One of the most respected names in filters, Katadyn, filters
down to 0.4 micron in their "Pocket Filter" yet does not claim it catches
viruses.
(3) Take the so-called EPA certification with a huge grain of salt. It
doesn't mean much in practice, if I remember correctly. (Same as the U.S
"EnergyStar" which I have some direct experience with.)
Other considerations: Bacteria growing in a wet filter between jobs is
apparently a potential problem. Katadyn has silver (an abiotic?) in their
ceramic filter element to inhibit this. Some filters can be backflushed
or easily cleaned to extend their effective life.
Backpackers have been dealing with this for many years (since Giardia
became a known problem). Stop by any outdoor or backpacking shop & get an
education by reading available literature. Backpackers, at least this
one, ignore the threat of viruses since that's not typically a big risk in
wilderness areas.
Bottom line: I'm turned off by their ad claims and would keep
investigating. Maybe they're legit & adequate for your purposes, but I
sure wouldn't buy based on what I see from their web page. I wonder how
they'd respond to a request for a copy of test results from an independent
test lab.
//Jack
