Safe spring water / giardia
Posted: Aug 18 2009 5:01 pm
A search of the forums shows that the last time this subject was discussed in depth was about 6 years ago, and I thought it might be worth a re-visit.
Basically, I feel a little bit skeptical about how it is "advertised" that we must treat absolutely every drop of water found in nature before drinking it due to giardia.
I understand that water that is subject to outside contamination such as wildlife, cattle, or human interaction is highly suspect. You won't find me drinking water from the Salt River.
But what's wrong with water that comes from a mountain spring flowing from some rocks. The spring at Horton Creek is an example. I've drank directly from it several times with no ill effects. There are other springs which come from rocky caves that I would personally consider to be quite safe. If I think that a spring may have a source that includes surface water from nearby, then I would be less inclined to drink from that source.
I frequently swim in Arizona's lakes, and have on more than one occasion floated down the lower Salt River. I've never become ill. Is is possible that my immune system has just fought off the protozoa that I most certainly have ingested during my water activities? Do we just live in such a ridiculously lawsuit prone and overcautious society (These sleeping pills may cause drowsiness...) that the threat from giardia is vastly overstated?
Or is the "ounce of prevention" (filtering/purifying the water) is so easy that its not worth the risk, no matter how small it is?
I've been reading about this today in anticipation for an upcoming backpacking trip in the Sierras, and I know of some available springs along the trail that are within 100 feet of a ridgeline at over 10,000 feet, and can't imagine that this water could possibly be contaminated with giardia cysts.
Or maybe I could make giardia cyst stew for dinner and it wouldn't affect me anyway. I have no idea.
Anybody have insightful thoughts or opinions to add here? General information, or information specific to Arizona springs or other natural water sources would be welcome.
Basically, I feel a little bit skeptical about how it is "advertised" that we must treat absolutely every drop of water found in nature before drinking it due to giardia.
I understand that water that is subject to outside contamination such as wildlife, cattle, or human interaction is highly suspect. You won't find me drinking water from the Salt River.
But what's wrong with water that comes from a mountain spring flowing from some rocks. The spring at Horton Creek is an example. I've drank directly from it several times with no ill effects. There are other springs which come from rocky caves that I would personally consider to be quite safe. If I think that a spring may have a source that includes surface water from nearby, then I would be less inclined to drink from that source.
I frequently swim in Arizona's lakes, and have on more than one occasion floated down the lower Salt River. I've never become ill. Is is possible that my immune system has just fought off the protozoa that I most certainly have ingested during my water activities? Do we just live in such a ridiculously lawsuit prone and overcautious society (These sleeping pills may cause drowsiness...) that the threat from giardia is vastly overstated?
Or is the "ounce of prevention" (filtering/purifying the water) is so easy that its not worth the risk, no matter how small it is?
I've been reading about this today in anticipation for an upcoming backpacking trip in the Sierras, and I know of some available springs along the trail that are within 100 feet of a ridgeline at over 10,000 feet, and can't imagine that this water could possibly be contaminated with giardia cysts.
Or maybe I could make giardia cyst stew for dinner and it wouldn't affect me anyway. I have no idea.
Anybody have insightful thoughts or opinions to add here? General information, or information specific to Arizona springs or other natural water sources would be welcome.
