If you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping or four-wheel driving, you should take drinking water with you. If you run out of water, or cannot carry enough water with you for your entire trip, you may need to source drinking water from natural water sources. Drinking untreated water such as bore water, river water or spring water (including mineral springs) can lead to illnesses such as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. Gastrointestinal illnesses can be particularly severe for the very young, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
The following is some simple advice on how to ensure that if you need to use natural water sources for drinking that you minimise the risk of getting sick.
Avoid the danger zones
When selecting natural waters to use as a drinking water source there are a few common-sense rules you should follow:
- Check how it looks. The appearance of the water is not a guarantee that it is safe to drink, but water that is clear, free of surface scum or debris, and has no odour is more likely be to free of contaminants than cloudy, smelly water that has visible surface scum.
- Choose water that is free flowing rather than water that is stagnant or still.
- Avoid collecting water from sources that are downstream of:
- camping areas
- areas where mining has occurred
- agricultural areas
- unsewered dwellings and towns.
Treat natural water before you drink it
Water from untreated sources is variable in quality and its safety can never be guaranteed. You should use natural water sources for drinking and food preparation with caution and, where possible, treat the water to make it safe to drink.
The most straightforward treatment method is to boil the water before you drink it. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cool it and then use it for drinking.
Boiling is effective against most microbial contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa.
If boiling the water is not practical other treatment methods can be used. These include chlorine and iodine tablets, handheld ultraviolet (UV) light units, portable microfilters and purifiers. These treatment options can be purchased from camping and outdoor stores. In all cases, follow the manufacturer’s recommended instructions for use.
Boiling or disinfecting the water may not make the water safe if it is contaminated with harmful chemicals, including natural metals such as arsenic or lead. The only way to reduce the health risk associated with harmful elements and chemicals is to limit your consumption to smaller quantities or occasional use only.
Don’t use natural, untreated water sources, such as bores, rivers and springs (including mineral springs) as regular drinking water supplies.
Think before you drink, and treat the water if you are unsure.
Where to get help
