Filtering nasty water?

[Doublelunger]

If its as bad as you say it is, I would do some pre-scouting and haul in 3 gallons of water each time and stash it for season. 1 gallon of water weighs roughly 8.5 lbs. Do some training and get a stash going. Depending on how many people and how long youll be there 6 gallons of water can go a long way.

I might get one scouting trip if so I'll def pack in some water!

[M3at Hunt3r]

The best filter for nasty water would be a Berkey System. It is a drip system that is slow but will filter very nasty water and make it safe to drink and taste fine.  They come as small as .95 liters and 1.5 gallons.  They may be larger and heavier than a traditional backpack filter but do a much better job and provide safe water.

Luke

[HikerHunter]

Bring some dehydrated water, much lighter than the real stuff

[Dhoey07]

Last year, we stopped at a little creek to fill up.  My buddy had his Katyden hiker pro and I had my MSR.  When we got done pumping, my buddy said that his tasted pretty bad and asked if I would try it to verify.  Well, I had taking a couple swigs off of mine and it tasted fine so I took a big pull off his and it tasted like straight cow pee.  After about five minutes of gagging and dry heaving, we dumped our water and went to the next creek to fill up.  My water tasted fine but i still dumped it.

Case in point, i believe my ceramic filter took the bad taste out while his Katyden didn't.  Not sure if others have had similar results but that was mine.

[dmv9]

Didn't the guy from lifestraw drink from an aquarium with sewer water?

[LDennis24]

Where are you going that your only option is cow wallows? A ceramic filter WILL NOT take the taste out. Filter it through charcoal and you should be happy with it. Charcoal can even get rid of the odor and it shouldnt hurt you. Filter it in the charcoal AFTER you purify it and you can use it multiple times. Available at any aquarium store!

[Stein]

The best filter for nasty water would be a Berkey System. It is a drip system that is slow but will filter very nasty water and make it safe to drink and taste fine.  They come as small as .95 liters and 1.5 gallons.  They may be larger and heavier than a traditional backpack filter but do a much better job and provide safe water.

Luke

That would work too, but they are very slow.  They will pull the color out of food color, I tested mine when I first bought it.  I put a half bottle of food color in the top tank and the bottom water was crystal clear.  It's the size of a coffee maker when packed up, so not the easiest thing to haul around.

I would probably just haul water in, a gallon a day and don't spend more than 3ish days before you come out.

[Doublelunger]

***UPDATE*** The water situation ended up being a little better than expected and I found a decent source. Lots of good advice on this thread though and I appreciate all the input.