What Is Potable Aqua?
In the 1940s, researchers at Harvard University, in conjunction with the US Army, formulated a water disinfection tablet at the request of the United States military. They wanted an easier way to be able to disinfect the water that their service men and women sometimes needed to drink. Thus, Potable Aqua was born!
Potable Aqua is an iodine water disinfection tablet that makes water bacteriologically suitable to drink. Although it was previously used only for our military, it is now also available to consumers. Many people keep it with them whenever they go camping or backpacking, in case of emergency. So what exactly is Potable Aqua, and how does it work?
Potable Aqua tablets are made to be dissolved in water that may be of questionable quality. When dissolved, diatomic iodine and hypoiodous acid are released into the water. These chemicals work at breaking down the cell walls of the bacteria that might be in the water you are trying to disinfect, making the water safe for you to drink. You should wait 30 minutes after using the tablets before drinking the water, to allow time for the tablets to break down the cells. You should add two tablets to one quart or liter of water.
Potable Aqua may be used in conjunction with a water filter. It is very effective against bacteria, such as Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli; viruses, such as Infectious hepatitis and Poliomyelitis; and also treats water for flatworms and many cysts, such as Giardia lamblia. While Potable Aqua has proven very usefull in making questionable water drinkable again, you should remember that it is to be used as a short-term treatment. You should limit your use of it to less than 6 weeks.
Potable Aqua is a proven method for obtaining drinking water in an emergency situation. It is very simple to use and is time efficient. Put it in your 72 hour kits to prepare for times when clean drinking water for your family may not be available!
