Off-road travel, Bush wacking & Water Safety
Long distance camping trips are relatively often these days, in Africa. Unfortunately, one of the issues that arises the concern for the health risks of questionable water sources. Technology is such that there are many options now, apart from heavy water deliveries of freight transport wherever you go.
Very often water sources are very suspect and hears a horrible stories about infection and water-bourne diseases. As an "Advanced" country like South Africa can't even deliver high quality drinking water for all its inhabitants than what chance has got the African traveller to another location on the continent.
Problems that may be expected
Fecal matter infection also known as e. coli is common even in some municipal delivery. A variety of other forms of bacteria, algae and blue-green algae is an indicator of the THM or carcinogenic, natural occurring fluoride, arsenic and nitrates.
Bacteria is normally decontaminated through exposure to one of the following 3 ways: chlorine, ozone or UV is the latest technology that is now almost compact enough to be functional for the safari community.
Best options for pure Water/Healthy Water. The Pro's and con's
Right at the top of the selections got to be Reverse Osmosis that the purest form of water for the traveller. Mobile systems consist of custom designed units to fit into a Pocket, specialized systems that fit in an aluminum housing and luxury systems in the form of a reverse osmosis unit built into a can of Jerry.
Custom designed systems-bag/Component Type
Contains all the elements of a domestic unit namely sediment filter, carbon filters, Reverse Osmosis membrane with 200 gallons per day capacity, taste and smell filter and possibly UV/Ozonation. Ideally you want a booster pump delivered that works of the battery. This ' bag "units are supplied with sealed tubular filters that have a small footprint and take up much space. The booster is to water production number and has nothing to do with output pressure.
An AC/DC-converter must be purchased to drive the pump from a battery source. Don't let anyone tell you that you need the UV option for a reverse osmosis system is not! Why-well it's easy, r. O membrane stops the bacteria before it is output to the water line product although the bacteria membrane damage in the process. First; The membranes sacrifice is easier and cheaper than buying a UV system. Secondly; no r. O supplier will a system guarantees that sources water from a bacterially disadvantaged system. Not one! In addition to those covered by your filters are never a guarantee.
Reverse osmosis system in case Large, well designed, easier to store but very heavy to carry. Untidy when opened, pain way to deal with every day and expensive running for top R 7700.00
Jerry can system-6-stage reverse osmosis system Great idea has all the elements including UV plus a sieve who put a bucket of water source and pumped in either the inadequate 2 gallon tank, or directly to the tank can be. A disadvantage is that it won't fit in a standard Jerry can restraining brace on the Land rover etc. Yes, a bit stupid that one. Oops, almost forgot-damn expensive to R 6370.00
So what are the alternatives that you may ask-pretty simple really...
Easiest-use Chlorox tablets available from each store backpacking, but this just kills the insects and not for the rest of the contaminants. The same goes for boiling the water-still looks and tastes nasty.
The most practical-Build in a simple filtration system that put water under pressure that is free but small enough to bacteria that fit in the most cramped spaces. This system would consist of a 2 bar pump, modified 3 traps under counter Water filter system, some parts and a UV light.
From your existing water tank one piece Tee inserted into the line and split the filter system and UV component. The 2 bar pump pushes the water through under pressure to another T-piece that feeds your onboard water tank and the drinking taps. Water level in the tank is controlled by a simple mechanical float switch with which the stream which in turn generates a high pressure switch and the pump disconnected the connection is closed. The end product is clan, good tasting, bacteria free water.
Maintenance is inexpensive, Edition is low cost and the results are great. Contact me for personal assistance or additional information on one of these systems.
Michael j runs a successful water filter distribution company in South Africa and is especially active in the coastal region of Western Cape. Have acted as technical sales & trainer for larger water filtration & wholesale suppliers he is qualified in both practical and theoretical experience to advise on numerous water related diseases in South Africa and abroad.
Aqua-elite delivers not only South African homeowners with equipment, but also numerous African countries, parts of the USA, UK, Holland and customers in Dubai. Custom systems are available for the frequent traveler and built in 4 x 4 vehicles, the r. V or even hand luggage. Visit our website & blog for in depth information on related http://www.aqua-elite.com water and specialized information available to the applicant on water bottler http://www.nbws.org is
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