Worth carrying a water filter?

[DaveO]

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

 

[henrythedog]

Assuming the Camino Frances, it’s not required. There are plenty of sources of potable water

 

[J Willhaus]

I only carried more than a half liter in one or two long stretches and there were also Cafe Moviles at mid points along many of those stretches. Usually I had just a 500 ml bottle.

 

[RussB]

I thought about it for the Mozarabe, but decided against , would rather carry the water than hope to find some @ least I know then how much I have

 

[Old walker]

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

I h

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

I have carried some purification tablets as emergency backup, but never used even one

 

[jcat]

I h

I have carried some purification tablets as emergency backup, but never used even one

Same, I've always carried some water purification tablets in my mini fist aid kit. Weigh almost nothing and there in case of emergency.

 

[trecile]

Here's a couple of recent threads that you will find useful

Tap Water or Bottled Water?

A Guide to Effective Water Filtration​

 

[Richard of York]

Spanish water is normally absolutely fine, and usually tastes nicer than chlorinated English water. Even those springs that say 'untested' aren't guaranteed to be bad, they just just aren't tested. Maybe they vary by season. The only time I needed more water than I had set off with (1l) was the section from Carrión de los Condes, 12 miles of nothing, even a tap, and last August it was 40º in the shade let alone in the sun.
If there's a sign saying don't drink it then don't drink it. If it says it's drinkable then yay. If it says not tested or there's no sign, then try it. If it tastes bad don't drink it... err on the safe side. If it tastes OK only drink a bit unless a local happens to be passing and says it's OK. This happened often for me, particularly in the Pyrenees. Caveat emptor.

Any time you see a drinking fountain / tap empty your bottle, drink as much as you can of the new cold water and refill.

 

[Former member 92300]

Not necessary. There are just a few stretches where carrying 1L might not be enough - but there are safe drinking water options/fountains all along the way with few exceptions. I suggest carrying a 1L bottle and perhaps another half litre empty bottle of water that you can refill for those longer stretches. Those empty half liter bottles of water - water bottles are very light - much lighter than a so called reusable water bottle you buy at the store.

 

[davebugg]

trecile referenced a guide I wrote, so let me approach this the way I would do a 'just in case' on camino where I am parched, I drank the last of my water and am a long distance from a potable water supply. I see a fuente or old water tap in a park that is unmarked of labeled non-potable.

For this type of scenario, I only carry Portable Aqua tabs and a coffee filter. They are more compact and lightweight than the Sawyer Squeeze, and deal with viruses that the filter will not deal with. Fill the containers and add the number of tablets suggested and wait 35 minutes.

If I am desperate, (or just normally doing what is done when backpacking), than I am looking at any stream or cold lake. If the water is a bit discolored or cloudy, then I am straining through the coffee filter and into the water container. Add the tablets as directed.

The reason I do not take a backpacking filter is because potable water is typically and readily available, not only at fountains but also at bars and stores; I just buy a snack and ask for a refill to my container.

When backpacking I love the BeFree system.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

For the weight of a LifeStraw, I consider it good insurance.

 

[DaveO]

For the weight of a LifeStraw, I consider it good insurance.

I’m really in two minds about whether to bring my sawyer…did you ever use your life straw on the Frances?

 

[John Noel Cotter]

I carry a tiny dropper bottle with Clorox (3 drops to a liter) for questionable water. Buen Camino, Noel

 

[Ronald Boivin]

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

I think so. On two Caminos, I brought little water purifying tablets I would drop in my water pouch every 2-3 days to purify the water. No taste. Felt secure. No gastro problems either.

This may freak you out but on one Camino. There was a beautiful water fountain just -a few meters ahead…. As I approached, two cows came around and sloppily drank from the fountain licking the faucet. I suspected, pilgrims had been using that fountain during the day.

 

[howardd5]

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

I don’t think that a water filter is required in Espana . The tap water and drinking fountains are fine

 

[LesR]

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

Should you carry a water filter?

Short answer - No.
Long answer - No - unless you have some medical condition which makes you particularity susceptible to water borne infection...

I carry an 850 ml bottle and ensure it is full before I start in the morning, and if it is a hot day, I refill if required. Only on one day, did I run short - Villafranca to Trabadelo via the 'middle' route - which would have been avoided if I have been a little more consistent with my route planing...

I can recall only one instance of my walking partner having issues with water from a fountain - and that was the consequence of ambiguous marking. The sign said "potable water" (or equivalent) followed by a bent arrow - we worked out that this referred to the tap behind the wall, and not to the taps in the front of the wall. My walking partner took one sip from the tap in front of the wall and quickly worked out that this was contaminated water...

I would also be very wary of drinking from a stream - no matter how 'natural' the catchment looked. I recall seeing a cesspit below one of the small settlements on the climb of O Cebreiro and it was clear to me that that cesspit periodically overflowed and the overflow would have ended up in one of the small streams below...

 

[RJM]

You won't need it while walking the Camino Frances. It would be a waste of time.

 

[trecile]

I can recall only one instance of my walking partner having issues with water from a fountain - and that was the consequence of ambiguous marking. The sign said "potable water" (or equivalent) followed by a bent arrow - we worked out that this referred to the tap behind the wall, and not to the taps in the front of the wall. My walking partner took one sip from the tap in front of the wall and quickly worked out that this was contaminated water...

I remember that fountain. I think that it was in or near Azofra.

 

[LesR]

I remember that fountain. I think that it was in or near Azofra.

This could be the one - although I cannot make out the content of the notice at the top of the wall...

 

[trecile]

This could be the one - although I cannot make out the conent of the notice at the top of the wall...

View attachment 123567

I think that's it. I ate lunch or had a drink at one of those tables, and we were constantly telling people to go around to the other side.

 

[Kathy F.]

Remember that Spain is a first world country.
I only ran low of water on one of my Caminos in the Meseta. The rest of the way, I was easily able to fill up my water bottles in many spots on the CF and in France.
‘My advice is, when in doubt, head to the nearest cafe, plunk down some euro, and have an icy cold cerveza.
AHHH. Bliss.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I’m really in two minds about whether to bring my sawyer…did you ever use your life straw on the Frances?

I have not completed the CF due to leg injuries but I did use it once, and still here to tell the tale.

 

[LesR]

This could be the one - although I cannot make out the content of the notice at the top of the wall...

View attachment 123567

This is the one... Same fountain but now has the second and lower sign advising, somewhat cryptically, that the tap at the back is the potable water...

 

[Kalimera]

I’ve got a sawyer squeeze I’m thinking of bringing but wondering if it’s a waste of time…are there water fountains regularly along the route? Say every 10km? I’d rather not carry more than a litre at a time

Gosh I hate to disagree with you all…. I drink a lot of water so I carry a 1 ltr Life Straw bottle with filter. it. When walking in October 2021, there were some exceptionally hot days. Can’t remember where I was, but had to sip Cautiously so I wouldn’t run out as I couldn’t find any water.
I fly to Madrid tomorrow and then on to Leon to begin.

 

[trecile]

Gosh I hate to disagree with you all…. I drink a lot of water so I carry a 1 ltr Life Straw bottle with filter. it. When walking in October 2021, there were some exceptionally hot days. Can’t remember where I was, but had to sip Cautiously so I wouldn’t run out as I couldn’t find any water.
I fly to Madrid tomorrow and then on to Leon to begin.

Where are you filling up that has non potable water??

 

[Kalimera]

Where are you filling up that has non potable water??

Sorry for the delay. I fill up anywhere. Bathrooms etc. Just gives me peace of mind. Relaxing in Villar de Mazarife. Perfect day for walking.

 

[RussB]

Where are you filling up that has non potable water??

Agree, I’m guilty of carrying way too much, appreciate it warmer than London, and I’m walking further , but need to be realistic about how much to carry. Plenty of bars and potable water if required