Drinking Water

[ColR]

Hi, I'm planning a trip in early May to the mainland for a meet up of friends and a walk. Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, all the info I've read on the track re water is take your own as the water available ( or lack of it ) needs treating. My question is which is the best way to go with treating the water. ( being pretty new to bush walking). Any help would be grateful.
Taa Col

[walkinTas]

As I understand it there are three types of disease-causing microorganisms: protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. This article in AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment discusses some Aussie research. Other problems might include contaminants like salts, fertilizers etc, as explain at this USA site.

There are basically two approaches. Water filters or water purifiers. My understanding is that filters tend to work on the protoza and bacteria. Purifiers including some of the common purification tables claim to cover all three (depending on the purification process).

I am not sure just what the risk is where you are walking. Some online sites suggest that you are at more risk from your own poor hygiene practices (not washing your hands before preparing food - sharing food and drinks with other people) than you are from drinking stream water. Still I worry about the pollution and contamination that increasing numbers of walkers might introduce - like those in this discussion.

There are plenty of good lightweight filters around, and a number of brands of purification tables. I will leave it to others with experience to discuss the equipment they use and to make specific recommendations. I am sure you will get some respondents soon.

[johnw]

Hi, I'm planning a trip in early May to the mainland for a meet up of friends and a walk. Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, all the info I've read on the track re water is take your own as the water available ( or lack of it ) needs treating. My question is which is the best way to go with treating the water. ( being pretty new to bush walking). Any help would be grateful.
Taa Col

Hi Col,
I'm assuming that you are doing the Six Foot Track. If so, it's a 46km walk, usually done over 3 days, and there are 2 main designated campsites. Each has an open shelter for cooking/eating etc, a water tank and a pit toilet. We did the walk last September, in the reverse direction, and there was plenty of water in the tanks. For current water situation try phoning one of the below closer to your walk:

Echo Point Visitor Information Centre Ph 1300 653 408

Blue Mountains Heritage Centre (National Parks & Wildlife Service)
Ph. (02) 4787-8877

I treated the tank water with Coghlans iodine tablets (did the same on the Overland Track). No need to filter. Many rivers and creeks in the Blue Mtns are suspect. Ssome, eg the Grose River, are downright polluted. I would consider some form of treatment mandatory. Iodine tablets or boiling are cheap and easy methods and usually considered effective against most bugs. I also agree with the other comments here about hygiene. The site below has comprehensive information on water borne bugs and the effectiveness of different treatments (note the mention of the Coxs River, which you will encounter on day one of the walk):

http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Water.htm

Let me know if you'd like more info on doing the track, getting there etc as it's close to home territory for me. We usually walk somewhere in the Blue Mtns at least once a month.

Kind regards,
John W

[ColR]

Thank you for your info and links WalkinTas & JohnW.
John how did you find the last day walking the reverse of the track? those steps look nasty are they? as we haven't decided which way to go, we are favouring Katoomba - J/Caves at the moment, as we are in are 55-60yr bracket.

[johnw]

Thank you for your info and links WalkinTas & JohnW.
John how did you find the last day walking the reverse of the track? those steps look nasty are they? as we haven't decided which way to go, we are favouring Katoomba - J/Caves at the moment, as we are in are 55-60yr bracket.

As this question moves away from discussing drinking water I have posted my reply in a new topic here:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=592&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Kind regards,
John W