WARNING! Problems With Purification Tablets
WARNING! Problems With Purification Tablets
It is important to note that taking water purification or iodine tablets could pose health risks. Especially for those with iodine allergies or thyroid conditions.
It is also not advisable for women who are pregnant to consume these types of tablets.
It is important to know that purification tablets do not remove all microorganisms (as well as some bacteria). it might also not be effective against some types of chemicals.
Whatever the case maybe make sure you always read the information and directions on the packaging. Follow usage instructions to the letter to ensure you get the full effect.
| Product | Pros | Cons | Price Range | |
| OASIS Water Purification (50) Tablets | - The effervescent tablets dissolve into water to make it safe for drinking. - When used properly, they prevent water borne organisms that create stomach issues such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery etc. - They are also suitable for disinfecting water prior to washing fruits, vegetables, brushing your teeth etc. | - Because it is chlorine based, expect it to smell and taste like swimming pool water. | $$ | |
| Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets | - 1 tablet is able to treat approximately 1 litre of water. - It does not create any odour, colour, and does not stain plastic bottles. - Contains sodium dichloroisocyanurate (which is a source of chlorine) and is known for being very effective at purifying water. - It has been approved and is used by international aid agencies such as WHO, International Red Cross, NATO, Unicef, Oxfam and Medecins Sans Frontieres. | - It needs 30 minutes to purify the water but ideally longer. - They have not been proven to be effective against cyst cryptosporidium, if you are facing this issue then seek an alternative filtration process. | $$ | |
| Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Droplets | - Comes in a small 90g bottle that can treat up to 60 litres of water. - Kills bacteria, viruses & cysts in water including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. - Has no noticeable aftertaste. | - The bottles are not as secure as the tablets as the bottles can leak and the contents crystalize. - If it only came with a clip-able device and perhaps had a small pre-mix container then you could potentially have fresh water in ten minutes and this would be the best water treatment tablet on the market (in my opinion). | $ |
How Do Water Purification Tablets Work?
There are many different water purification tablets available on the market.
This sadly means that each one requires a specific dosage to work properly. There isn’t a universal dosage amount.
However, all the best water purification tablets work in a similar way.
The usage is typically 1 or more tablets in a large container of water. Then close the container for at least 30 minutes for it to work.
But always remember to read the instructions to know how to get the best results from individual brands.
Water Purification Tablets Vs Filter
Water purification tablets are a cheaper, smaller method of water filtration that is not as effective as a water filter device but good for emergencies.
Water Purification Tablets
The first thing to know is that water purification tablets do not remove chemical pollutants or physical particles. If you ever face chemically polluted water, especially if it contains sediments then know that it will require much more filtration than a purification tablet is capable of providing.
If you find particles in the water you want to drink, make sure you remove them as a purification tablet probably won’t remove it and you don’t want it to dissolve as that could add more hazardous material into the water.
If you find any sign of chemicals in the water then do not try to purify instead find an alternate source of water.
Chlorine dioxide is the most effective at killing most microorganisms, however, also note that it requires a longer treatment time than iodine or chlorine.
Finally, purification tablets usually leave an unpleasant aftertaste unless otherwise stated on the packaging.
Filtered Water
On the other hand, if you use something like a filter jug or a home installed filtration unit then it will remove far more impurities and this includes all chemicals, micro-organisms and dissolved substances.
Tablets Vs Filter: The Key Difference
In essence, there really is no competition. Filter water beats water filtration tablets on almost every count; filtered water is cleaner and tastes better than water purified with tablets.
Can You Use Iodine Tablets To Purify Water?
Yes but it won’t taste very nice.
As mentioned in the previous section, some purification tablets are known to leave behind an unpleasant taste and that lead to the invention of the iodine neutraliser tablet, which is designed to neutralize flavour. 
Although sometimes there are other ways of removing unpleasant tastes from the water.
For example, chlorine flavour can easily be removed if you let the treated water sit uncovered so that the chlorine can eventually evaporate by itself.
If taste is very important to you then you should consider buying purification tablets that are flavoured with fruit or something nice.
Best Water Purification Tablet Brands
- Oasis
- Pyramid Biox
- Lifesystems
- Aquatabs®
- Katadyn Micropur Forte Mf
The “best” brand and type of water purification tablet will depend on a number of different things. For example, how much water will you need to purify? How dirty will the water be? What kind of contaminants do you want to remove?
The following list are some of the brands that produce purification tablets and a review of individual products will be discussed later in this article.
Best Rated Water Purification Tablets
- Oasis Water Purification Tablets 50s.
- BCB CR210 Oasis Water Purification Tablets.
- Pyramid Biox Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment Tablets.
- Lifesystems ChorineDioxide Tablets.
- Aquatabs® – Water Purification tablets.
- Katadyn Micropur Forte Mf 1T Water Purification Tablet.
The list above are some of the best rated water purification tablets currently available on the market. The list is based on genuine positive customer reviews and feedback available online. However, the section that comes after will provide a set of pros and cons for each product.
Best Water Purification Tablets Review
Oasis Water Purification Tablets 50’s – Review
This is a popular brand of chlorine tablets that dissolves in water to purify and make water drinkable. It works by killing water-borne organisms that cause stomach problems like typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea etc.
But it does more than just make dirty water drinkable, it can also make water usable for washing wounds, washing vegetables, cleaning teeth, washing fruit and so on.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
 The effervescent tablets dissolve into water to make it safe for drinking.
|
Because it is chlorine based, expect it to smell and taste like swimming pool water. |
Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets (1 Litre) – Review
Aquatabsis one of the best water purification tablets because it is responsible for creating a quickly dissolving. The claim is that they can be used over the long term with no adverse effects. It is apparently also safe for all adults including pregnant women and children.
When you closely follow the instructions laid out on the packaging, it is effective against bacteria, viruses and giardia.
The typical pack contains 50 individual tablets and each tablet is able to treat approximately 1 litre of water. If the water is very cloudy or contains harmful organic material then you may need to use an additional tablet.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 1 tablet is able to treat approximately 1 litre of water.
|
It needs 30 minutes to purify the water but ideally longer.
|
Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Droplets – Review
These come in liquid form instead of tablets and they are called “droplets”.
The claim is that Chlorine Dioxide is perhaps the safest and most effective form of chemical water treatment.
And because it is not Chlorine-based, it doesn’t have a noticeable aftertaste.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes in a small 90g bottle that can treat up to 60 litres of water.
|
The bottles are not as secure as the tablets as the bottles can leak and the contents crystalize.
|
Water Purification Tablets Boots – Review
This is one of the best water purification tablets because you can easily pick it up from a UK drug store.
Boots and is a self labeled brand that usually comes in a pack of 50 tablets.
They typically cost around £8 and can be bought in any store or online.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| It will help you effectively and safely destroy bacteria that is commonly found in most contaminated water.
|
It has a chemical taste, which leaves a slightly bitter after taste.
|
Alternatives To The Best Water Purification Tablets
You don’t have a tablet at hand but still need to make sure water is clean enough to drink? Boil it.
Boiling water is one of the most effective ways to remove the vast majority of dangerous microorganisms.
However, as is the case with tablets, boiling water will not remove particles (i.e. bits and pieces) and these should be removed beforehand so that they don’t dissolve and pollute the water further.
| Product | Pros | Cons | Price Range | |
| OASIS Water Purification (50) Tablets | - The effervescent tablets dissolve into water to make it safe for drinking. - When used properly, they prevent water borne organisms that create stomach issues such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery etc. - They are also suitable for disinfecting water prior to washing fruits, vegetables, brushing your teeth etc. | - Because it is chlorine based, expect it to smell and taste like swimming pool water. | $$ | |
| Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets | - 1 tablet is able to treat approximately 1 litre of water. - It does not create any odour, colour, and does not stain plastic bottles. - Contains sodium dichloroisocyanurate (which is a source of chlorine) and is known for being very effective at purifying water. - It has been approved and is used by international aid agencies such as WHO, International Red Cross, NATO, Unicef, Oxfam and Medecins Sans Frontieres. | - It needs 30 minutes to purify the water but ideally longer. - They have not been proven to be effective against cyst cryptosporidium, if you are facing this issue then seek an alternative filtration process. | $$ | |
| Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Droplets | - Comes in a small 90g bottle that can treat up to 60 litres of water. - Kills bacteria, viruses & cysts in water including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. - Has no noticeable aftertaste. | - The bottles are not as secure as the tablets as the bottles can leak and the contents crystalize. - If it only came with a clip-able device and perhaps had a small pre-mix container then you could potentially have fresh water in ten minutes and this would be the best water treatment tablet on the market (in my opinion). | $ |
Which Is The Best Water Purification Tablet?
Of all the purification tablets I reviewed, I think Aquatabs Water
Purification Tablets are perhaps the best of them all.
This is because it does not create any funny odors, colours and doesn’t stain plastic bottles.
Moreover it has been approved by the biggest aid agencies like Unicef, Oxfam, MSF, Red Cross and WHO. With that kind of credibility, this would be my first tablet of choice.
A close second is “Lifesystems Chlorine Dioxide Droplets.”
It is one of the best water purification tablets because it has no odor or bad after taste.
Sadly, the poor packaging that makes it difficult to use and lets it down.
Best Water Purification Tablets: Final thoughts…
The best water purification tablets are small tablets that remove harmful micro- organisms in water. They work by killing pathogens present in water and make it safe for human consumption.
However, note that these tablets do not remove chemical pollutants or physical particles and the best way of filtering water is still to use a water filter jug or methods like charcoal filtration and reverse osmosis.
Using a specialised water filter beats purification tablets on almost every count as they purify water that is cleaner and tastes better. Tablets should only be used when there are no other options and as a last resort.
You are facing a desperate need for clean water and don’t have a purification tablet at hand but still need to make sure water is clean enough to drink?
Boil it.
Boiling water is very effective at removing most of the harmful microorganisms.
It is important to note that taking one of the best water purification tables mentioned in this post. Or iodine tablets for that matter, can pose health risks for people with iodine allergies or thyroid conditions. Finally, it is not advisable for women who are pregnant to consume such tablets.
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