Water is essential for life. Without it man is able to survive only a few days. It is also the source of our health and beauty but only under one condition - must be really clean.

How to get water during 8000km Across Canada expedition?

LifeStraw - the main method of drinking pure water. It makes contaminated or suspect water safe to drink. It filters up to 1000 liters of water, removes 99,99999% of waterborne bacteria, 99,9% of protozoan cysts and dirt particles down to 0,2 microns - this water is actually safer to drink than a tap water!Because the dirt can cumulate I predict I will have to use 2 LifeStraws during 8 months. Water cannot be collected in any container - it is drunk directly from the source - small inconvenience but here comes another way to have safe water.

Water Purification Tabs - used to purify any kind of unsafe water. 1 tablet is used for 1 liter of water making it drinkable after approximately 30 min depending on a temperature, the colder is outside the more time is required to kill all bacteria. Water tabs can also be safely used for brushing teeth, washing food, fruits and vegetables or beverage preparation.One package contains 50 x 9mg tablets (50l of water) - using LifeStraw as a basic method it should be enough for a month! It is also an essential part of my survival kit, I am carrying 20pcs equivalent to 20l of water that would make possible to survive even a week in extreme heat.

1l water bottle - During the entire expedition I will be able to carry some water with me - not always it would be easy to drink it directly with the LifeStraw. Here comes the bottle and water tabs. The bottle is very durable and suitable for cold and hot beverages and even a soup! Wide mouth allows easy stirring, adding ice etc.

0,5l foldable bottles - I have a total of 6 half-liter bottles (only 3 presented on the photo). In the areas when it will be hard to find water I will be able to carry additional 3 liters and clean it with water tabs or pour it into my big water bottle and drink with LifeStraw. Bottles are small, weights about 40g each. In order to avoid leaks I am going to use simpler caps - nothing can break. This bottles can be easily attached to the backpack by carabineers.

2l CamelBak - In order to have my life easier I will have 2 liter CamelBak in my backpack and I will be drinking water collected at the beginning of the day, clean or purified using tablets. It's extremely convenient - the only thing I need to do is to take a tube and drink. Together with LifeStraw the 2l CamelBak should be sufficient for my daily needs, but probably I will be using one with bigger capacity - 3 liters. As for a cleaning I will often dry it as well as clean by using special tabs to prevent bacteria growth.

Boiling water and melting snow - this method is very convenient, boiling water for 3 minutes kills bacteria and water is safe to drink, to make a tea or to prepare a hot meal. Usually this would be enough, but just in case I can add some water tabs or drink this water using LifeStraw - "double" purification should give ideally clean and safe water. During winter snow can be used as a source of water but gas canisters or a camp fire are required to melt it

What if I find myself in a difficult situation?

Since I will be walking 8000km Across Canada the great part of this beautiful country are people! Canadians are very hospitable and helpful - if I were in troubles people would always help me to get some water! Even more, they would invite me for a dinner or night in the house but that's another story!