River water

[David and Sally]

Rivers have Weil's Disease too but I understand it is rare in the UK.

I am confused. We have all swum in rivers and lakes at some time I'm sure and I guess we have some inbuilt immunity to many germs and bacteria. Are younger people less immune because they have not been exposed as much? "Peck of dirt" and all that?

In a fast-flowing stream I would think the water is quite clean and with tablets added why not?

Interesting topic.

 

[Jim]

Unless you are drinking it, washing your salad or cleaning your teeth then it will be absolutely fine. Just don't get weed or muck in your tank. Fill it up

 

[romany]

well in our village years ago we used to fetch water from the village spring thinking there would be no contamination, now I'm older I have realised the spring was right next to the church burial ground
When I used to do proper wild camping always use a bio filter system and tried to get water as close to its source as possible even now I use Elsil in my water tank when not sure the local supply is good

 

[namwaldog]

We live in the Lakes. Probably changed now in this sterile world we live in, but the majority of isolated farms and houses always drew their household water from these becks. They would have dug out a deepish bit in a position elevated from their buildings. They would submerge an open topped tank in this pool. This tank would have a connector in the bottom from which a pipe would run to, the farmhouse where it would flow through a couple of settlement tanks, in a barn roof or attic. The house taps would run out of the last settlement tank.
All free and fed by, gravity. If the water source is based on peat, it always had a brown tinge to it.

Where about in the Lakes are you? We live about 20 miles north of Keswick. You are welcome to fill up your, tank here if you wish from the United Utilities tap.

Going rate is 1 toilet roll, per 10 litres

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As a kid we used to drink from rivers and streams while out on our 'adventures'
I'm writing this so I'm still here.

But that was in the "good old days" when you were immune to everything, ate crusts and veggies, climbed trees, went scrumping, jumped ditches and stayed out all day with a sterilsed milk bottle full of "corporation pop" .

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[JJ]

I love the idea of pure mountain streams etc. However, the crisis we are currently experiencing as a result of disgusting animal food hygiene highlights the dangers of any untreated water source where wash-off from animal farming or direct contact with wild or domestic animals is possible.

I'm sorry... I'm a tad thick.

Are you saying cool, mountain stream water had something to do with this virus thingy?

Surely not.

JJ

 

[B-well]

No Probs

 

[Captain Pants]

I'm sorry... I'm a tad thick.

Are you saying cool, mountain stream water had something to do with this virus thingy?

Surely not.

JJ

No, I’m making a general point about animal/food hygiene and the risks posed to humans.

 

[ChrisL]

I have to say back in my windsurfing days, many years ago, I ended up drinking a fair amount of water from the gravel pit we used to sail on, not particularly intentionally you understand, but never got sick. Although I wouldn't consider it best practise, I would think you'd be ok using it for washing.

 

[Rudski01]

I definitely wouldn't, there will be bird and fish poo in it ?

And the rotting sheep carcass up on the fell??

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[Scotch mist]

I have a pump which works of a 12v battery & a 25L plastic can I use for just that , from the burn or Loch ( used mostly in Scotland) , as long as it’s reasonable fresh you’ll be ok , but I don’t use it for drinking , always use bottles of water as their so cheap anyway ?

 

[Geo]

As a kid we used to drink from rivers and streams while out on our 'adventures'
I'm writing this so I'm still here.

Yes but it explains a lot John

 

[DiggerJon]

Why take unnecessary risks if there is a potable water tap available? My machismo died many years ago in Scout camps!

 

[68c]

I don’t even drink it for god’s sake fish fu*k in it ???

I think you'll find fish do not flip, they practice a more solitary method of releasing their seed.

 

[Servo]

I think you'll find fish do not ****, they practice a more solitary method of releasing their seed.

???

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[Pausim]

I think you'll find fish do not ****, they practice a more solitary method of releasing their seed.

Is this why fish are short sighted?

 

[Wildbill]

If in doubt give it a good boiling it's always worth walking the stream or river up stream to just see if there anything dead in it there is always the slight chance chemical contamination hazard boiling wont get rid of that
bill