When most people think about water purification in a survival context, they picture pulling water from a mountain stream or filtering out bacteria from a lake. But what happens when you’re in an urban environment, where the water sources are retention ponds, potholes, and runoff contaminated with chemicals, human waste, and heavy metals?
At Urban Survival Craft, we’ve tested countless water purification solutions. Standard survival straws and filters do a great job removing bacteria and protozoa, but in the city, that’s not enough. In urban environments, you need full purification—not just filtration. That’s where advanced purification devices like the Pure2Go system change the game.
The Difference Between Filtration and Purification
Most survival filters are designed for backwoods conditions. They’re great for dealing with Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and bacteria found in natural water sources. But viruses and chemical contaminants? That’s a different story. In an urban setting, where industrial runoff and human waste are major concerns, you need a purifier that eliminates viruses, pesticides, and heavy metals—not just bacteria.
The closer you get to humanity, the more dangerous the water becomes. Viruses, for example, aren’t typically an issue in remote wilderness areas, but in cities, they’re a real threat. That’s why a purification system that neutralizes these threats is crucial for urban survival.
Putting Purification to the Test
We’ve put the Pure2Go purifier through its paces, drinking from sources that most people wouldn’t even consider. In one of our tests, we pulled water straight from a pothole in a county fairground parking lot—an area filled with vehicle runoff, dirt, and who-knows-what else! After running the water through our purifier, we drank it for three straight days with zero adverse effects. The only challenge? Staying close enough to a bathroom because we were drinking so much clean water!
Beyond the testing environment, we’ve integrated purification into our everyday survival strategy. Instead of carrying gallons of water, we rely on purification units to produce safe drinking water anywhere we find it. This significantly reduces pack weight and increases mobility—critical factors in any emergency scenario.
Why Urban Survivors Need to Rethink Water Purification
Preppers and survivalists are often well-versed in fire-starting and self-defense, but many underestimate the importance of water purification in an urban setting. It’s not enough to filter out debris and bacteria—you need a system that can handle the full range of urban contaminants. The ability to purify water on the spot means you’re no longer dependent on bottled water, municipal supplies, or excessive carrying loads.
For those serious about urban survival, we highly recommend incorporating a reliable purification system into your kit. Boiling water is always a solid backup plan, but it doesn’t remove all of the chemical contaminants, heavy metals, or improve taste. The right purifier does all three, making your water not just safe—but actually drinkable.
Stay Prepared, Stay Mobile
Water is life. And in an urban survival scenario, having the right purification tools can mean the difference between sickness and self-sufficiency. If you’re ready to upgrade your preparedness plan, invest in a system that ensures clean water—anywhere, anytime.
For more on this subject check out Mark and Tony having a discussion about it HERE.
Train smart. Stay sharp. Survival is a mindset.
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