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I've gone through the overkill route.
I filter first my water through the msr guardian purifier. If the water is running and very clean, I just do that, If the water is from a still muddy place, I boil it afterwards.
IMO you always need ether purify your water (eliminate potential viruses) any filter just would't work, viruses are too small. or you filter your water with a normal cheap filter, and boil it for a few minutes (boiling time depends on altitude (you need to boil it longer if you are high in the mountains. 5 mins is a safe bet))
Used my system in a variety of places (city, outdoors running water, still water, very nasty looking water), never had a problem.
