Treating water - apparently you don't ha ve to boil

“According to this article, which quotes from an online survival guide, boiling your water is unnecessary:

"...heating the water to a temperature of approximately 165°F (74°C) and leaving it for half an hour should be enough to kill any pathogens that are present. You can also raise the temperature up to 185°F if you're in a hurry and leave the water for a few minutes, which should also be enough to destroy any pathogens. No need to up the temperature until you reach the boiling point at 212°F (100°C)."

The idea is you don't need to waste fuel (or evaporate away valuable water) by boiling it for several minutes. My personal take on the numbers above lead me to believe that by the time your water is boiling you have already killed everything. You are well above 185 and already have been for several minutes.

IF this is correct info...

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/07/boiling_water.php”

“Pasteurized milk is not boiled and it kills the little critters.”

“I think that's about the same temperature they tell you that meat has to be cooked at so maybe it makes sense. One the other hand, I wonder if the cysts are tougher to kill at the lower temperature.”

“How you been?

The reason they tell you to boil water, is because it is a good visual indicator that the proper temp has be reached. Unless you carry a thermometer?”

“Hey BS, doing good. Been very busy at work so haven't been on here much lately.

I can understand the visual indicator thing, especially since most people don't keep a thermometer in their pocket. Its just curious that so many people think you must boil for several minutes and not just reach boiling before your water is safe.

I like the meat analogy, that lends credibility to this.”

“I just went and read the source article on the survival site, and it says what I guessed above - once you hit boiling, you are done.

"By the time water hits its boiling point of 212 F (100 C) the water is safe. Even at high altitudes the time it takes for the water to reach a rolling boil and then cool means you can safely drink it.

You only need to get your water to a rolling boil. By that point the disease organisms in your water were destroyed quite some time earlier."

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-long-do-you-need-to-boil-water/”

“I've always just trusted that once it boils it's good to go. I have never boiled for 5 minutes.”

“mmmmm boiled water”

“Same here.

It hasn't killed me yet (knock plastic).”

“Gotta agree....I have just done the "bring to boil" and then let it cool. Never had any problems and I have boiled water in a number of Unsavory spots on this planet.”

“The latest NOLS info is that once it reaches a boil it has already been above the temp to kill the bad guys long enough for it to be safe. Add in the cool down time that it goes from 212 back to 165 and there is enough time and heat to kill.”