>>2551985There's a couple of spots in the mountains and shit natural springs that are okay. But you really have to have locals show you that aren't bullshitters either.
I use the Sawyer mini because when it came out I fell for the meme. There's better ones out there now- but this one works for me.
Boiling is always a must- the mini will filter I believe it's either 4 or 2 micron particles. But viruses can sneak past. Always boil a large batch at once- and only keep it rolling boil for 2 minutes. The more you boil the more you distill the water and this causes heavy metals and certain chemicals like arsenic to fall out of solution and become more concentrated.
For example if you're in the south (and you really wouldn't have to do this because free water is legit everywhere) if you filter from a swamp, or creek. Old road drainage often gets pushed into it. One of automotive's biggest polluters. Even more so than gasoline or diesel emissions. Are the micro plastics rubbers and heavy metals from the wear and tear of tires. Those get washed off when it rains into the waterways. That's why you find a lot of heavy pollutants in certains species of fish in certain areas. But the EPA doesn't care because that's hard to regulate due to safety concerns.
