Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification Tablets for Travelers Camping Backpackers - Treats 30 Litres Of Water

apparently kills more bugs than iodine or chlorine or silver

Bought as a safety measure just in case when going to Asia. Wanted something that would not taste too terrible. Happy to say that I tried this out on water from my water butt, using a steel 1 ltr bottle and as instructed one tablet. Left for 20 mins although it states 10 on the instructions. I have not had any ill effects and the after taste is acceptable. The packets of tablets are in sealed foil and all contained in a hard plastic case.

Chlorine dioxide is simply the best way to chemically purify water quickly. 1 tablet does 1 litre of water unless there are lots of 'bits' in it or its very cold - in which case you will need 2. Using 1 tablet the water is ready in 10 minutes, using 2 tablets that extends to 30 minutes. 30 tablets in a pack so that's 15-30 litres of water per pack. Standard chlorine tablets are cheaper (normally around 70 - 90 tablets for a similar price) but leave an after taste and are not as effective killing certain bugs. These are not the cheapest but do the job well. Come in a nice hard plastic case for protection as the tablets are in silver foil wrap.

The taste reminds me of the tap water in a place I used to live - very chlorine-like but bearable. I haven't tried them in badly contaminated water (as far as I know) but didn't get poisoned in two days and about 7 litres. Tablets are individually wrapped in foil within the box, which is handy when using them in monsoon season or Scotland. A couple of months after first use I found that the paint on the foil packets had flaked in a few places, and it felt like one of the tablets had disintegrated. The most likely explanation is that a few drops of water got in and gradually ate through the packet, which surprised me but I had been on a moor so there's a fair chance the water was acidic.

Does what it says on the tin! Quite pricey though!

Have used these in UK, Nepal and Peru and found them easy to use and effective. You just slip one into your 1litre water bottle and 15 mins later tou can drink it. When taking lid off the bottle you get a whiff of chlorine but that is just in the air abouve the water. The water itself does not taste bad.

These tiny tablets are part of my everyday kit when I'm camping or trekking. I'm currently training to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside the Himilayas (see my profile for more info on the expedition) and these tablets mean I'll always have safe water to drink. They only take minutes to make a litre safe. I fill my platypus or Osprey hydration pack with 3 litres and so use 3 tablets. My advice is leave a strip in your first aid kit, a strip in your most used rucksack and a strip in your waterproof pocket. When you're hiking with a 20-30kg pack up hills, particularly in heat, you'll need to drink at least 0.5 litre every hour - I typically drink nearer double this. If you don't want to carry 4-5 litres (ie 4-5kg) of weight from the start, these little tablets will make sure you can top up from streams as you go! Happy trekking!

Use by date quite poor - otherwise OK - 3/5