World's Cheapest Water Filter?

The most famous lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner are these:

Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.

The Mariner and his ship's crew are stuck in the ocean in a dead calm. There's no wind to move the ship, and they've run out of water. Every man is parched and delirious from thirst.

Imagine being in that situation. Imagine the frustration of seeing acres upon acres of water all around you -- and yet not being able to drink a drop of it.

Fiction or Reality?

While Coleridge's poetic vision may seem far-fetched in today's world, it could be closer to reality than you may think. Look no further than the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck the seaside city of Christchurch, New Zealand last year. Public water treatment systems were destroyed. Fresh clean drinking water was extremely difficult to get.

For some perspective, consider this: The second major earthquake to hit Christchurch happened on February 22, 2011. Water supply was restored to about 70% of households within 7 days. But one resident reported that her water was finally restored "just before April Fool's Day."

This means she and her family were without running water for more than 5 weeks -- about 35 days. And even though their water supply was restored, they had to use it sparingly because the water system was still very fragile. High water demand or even a small aftershock would have easily shut down the water mains again.

How did the citizens get clean drinking water immediately after the quake? Most were dependent on whatever the government and aid workers could supply. Dairy tankers normally used to haul milk were used to haul clean water instead. And because the water treatment systems were shut down, more than 7,000 portable toilets were brought in and orders placed for 20,000 more.

And yet in spite of the herculean efforts to supply the citizens with water and fix the water supply and sewage systems, people still went without running water for weeks. In fact, raw sewage made its way into the ocean, polluting the waters, and sending nearly all the surfers and beach-goers packing.

While the situation in New Zealand may seem far away and remote, we actually don't have to look overseas to find examples of severe shortages of clean drinking water. Take Iowa, for example.

500-Year Flood Hits the Midwest

In 2008, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, experienced a 500-year flood. On June 13, the Cedar River crested at 31.3 feet above flood stage. Roughly 5,900 homes were flooded and 10,000 residents were displaced.

All but one of the city's 48 alluvial-aquifer wells were flooded with polluted river water. Only through a massive sandbagging effort was the last well kept pumping. Water usage restrictions were imposed. Bathing and laundry were banned for five days.

Meanwhile, the waste water plant was closed and sealed. The entire city was without sewer service. Flushing the toilet sent raw waste into the Cedar River or out into the streets. The waste water plant was out of service for a total of 73 days. When service was finally restored, it was only at partial capacity.

Think about it... How different is Coleridge's poetic vision from the dire flood situation the citizens of Iowa experienced? With flood waters at record levels, there was water everywhere -- but none of it was fit to drink. Many thirsty and stranded people were at the mercy of the government, which is a position you never want to be in.

Do You Have a Clean Water Back-up Plan?

As major floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes become more frequent and more destructive, it's critical to have a clean water back-up plan. How will you get clean drinking water if a major natural disaster knocks out the water mains?

You can live for weeks without food. But go just 2-3 days without water and you will be at risk of dying from dehydration. Even one day without water can severely impair your body's ability to function. Getting clean water even a few hours sooner could make a huge difference in your ability to survive.

Of course, you can store water in bottles or containers inside your home. And this is a good precaution to take. But water is heavy and difficult to transport. If you are forced to evacuate or leave your home, your stored water won't do you much good.

Furthermore, stored water is often consumed much faster than you expect. The average adult needs to drink about 2 liters of water a day to stay properly hydrated. With two adults and two kids in a household, you could easily go through 6-7 liters of drinking water... per day.

This is why I believe you should have a high-quality portable water filter. Such a filter will provide you with clean drinking water even in the most dire of circumstances.

The one I recommend is called the the Paratroopers Water Filter. It is a super-compact portable water filter that paratroopers carry with them and use in some of the harshest, most extreme environments on earth. This little water filter is so compact, it can fit easily into a coat pocket. And yet it can pump a full liter of clean drinking water in only 3 minutes.

Although the Paratroopers Water Filter is super-compact and sturdy, its best feature is its ability to filter out 100% of harmful water-borne bacteria, including E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, and Legionella pneumophila. These bacteria are often found in lakes, rivers, and streams. Even if the water looks crystal clear, these bacteria may be present.

But you can rest easy because the Paratroopers Water Filter gets rid of all harmful bacteria. In fact, an independent lab proved that it is just as effective at filtering out water-borne contaminants as larger, more expensive filters.

The Paratroopers Water Filter is ideal for any situation where you might need the ability to produce clean drinking water. Keep one at home for emergency situations. And keep one in your glove box or in your "bug out bag" in case you have to leave in a hurry. That way, you won't have to worry that you didn't bring or store enough water -- you'll be able to produce more clean water whenever you want -- even if the only water you have access to is murky and riddled with pollutants.

Click here to learn more about the Paratroopers Water Filter and get one for yourself.


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