Have you ever looked longingly at a cool stream running through the woods and wished you could dip your head in for a refreshing drink? Unfortunately, this experience has long been unsafe in even the most remote areas of our state, thanks to the threat of microscopic organisms that contaminate the water. Due to the proximity of the Florida Trail to human activity in many areas, it is possible that the water can be contaminated with biological organisms or worse, chemical contamination from pesticide runoff and other pollutants.

In order to deal with the dangers of microorganisms like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, hikers have a few easy options. The most certain way to kill all biological threats is boiling your water. By the time water reaches a boil, all pathogens will be killed. To be sure, you can let the water boil for one minute.

If you don’t enjoy drinking hot water under the Florida sun, you’re left with the options of chemical treatment and filtration. The two major chemical treatment options are iodine and chlorine, both requiring treatment times of at least half an hour. Follow the instructions carefully and be sure to ask if anyone you are hiking with is allergic to the treatment chemical. Many people dislike the taste of iodine but you can neutralize the flavor by using flavoring packets, vitamin C, or even a pinch of salt.

The final option for dealing with microorganisms is the use of one of the many water filter pumps that are on the market. Once again, you should follow all of the manufacturer directions and be sure to get a fi lter that can remove bacteria sized microns.

The best way to be prepared when you hit the trail is by bringing a backup method for purifying your water. Unfortunately, there is no way to be prepared for chemical contamination. The best thing you can do is make informed decisions about neighboring land uses and avoid water that could be polluted.

Dan McKeague, Intern