All water from all sources-including springs, streams and wells-must be purified.
The most certain treatment to purify water is to heat it to a rolling boil. Philmont provides Micropur tablets that release chlorine-dioxide that is effective to kill waterborne bacteria and viruses that cause disease.
Philmont recommends that you use a purifier. (Purifiers remove giardia, bacteria, cryptosporidia and viruses - filters do not remove viruses.) If using a filter you must also use additives or boiling to kill all viruses. You must bring extra cartridges and spare parts.
Inteview with Katadyn about Water Purification at Philmont.
