Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets
Potable Aqua iodine tablets are a lightweight and economical way to make water suitable for drinking.
- Iodine tablets kill bacteria, viruses and giardia without the weight, bulk and cost of a water filter
- Includes 50 tablets; 2 tablets treat 1 quart of water
- Each tablet contains 20mg of tetraglycine hydroperiodide, which releases 8 ppm of titratable iodine
- Potable Aqua tablets require that you wait at least 30 min. before drinking the treated water
- Unopened bottles of Potable Aqua tablets should remain effective up to 4 years when maintained under controlled temperatures between 60 and 86°F
- An opened bottle of Potable Aqua should not be kept for more than 1 year
- Caution: Iodine tablets are not effective against cryptosporidia
Made in USA.
Best Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Filter Type | Tablet |
Active Ingredient(s) | Tetraglycine hydroperiodide |
Removes/Destroys | Protozoa, Bacteria And Viruses |
Output | 25 quarts |
Weight | 3 ounces |
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Tried and true
It's not fancy, but iodine tablets are tried and true. Yes, your water will taste a little funny. No, it won't give you cancer. Your water will be clean. Your pump will not break. And it will only cost you a few dollars. It's also great for large groups. Faster, in fact than sharing a pump with a dozen Boy Scouts, etc. It's a little bummer that your glacier fresh water tastes like chemicals, but it's much better than getting sick. And it's very good for those who travel in third world contries. Bring along a bottle of Iodine tabs in your pack. It takes up very little space, and will treat you well in a pinch.
Saved us
I don't usually carry Iodine as my filter has always served me so well. But on a fluke I picked up a bottle when I bought my gas canisters at the Reno REI on our way to the Sierras. Sure enough, 3 days from trailhead, my filter stopped putting out any water. Of course the lake we were near at the time had a giant horse camp and there was poop everywhere. Not a great place to start drinking raw water. Iodine was enough to get us out with safe water. Forced us to cut off a day and a half of our trip and allowed us to spend a day in Yosemite Valley. These tablets kept us healthy and gave us a magical day in a beautiful place.
Light weight and fast
My wife and I got tired of filtering water with a slow pump while being chewed up by mosquitoes. With the Potable Aqua, we just scoop the water and run, dropping in the tablets while hiking on the trail. Very fast. We used to buy it with Neutralizer Tablets to improve the taste, but their web site FAQ says each tablet contains approximately 45 milligrams of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). So now we just crush some standard vitamin C pills and put the powder in a small baggie with a tiny scoop. This weighs less than the glass bottle of Neutralizer Tablets and works instantly instead of taking many minutes for the tablets to dissolve when the water is cold. That means you can let the iodine work longer, until you are actually ready to drink from the bottle.
Great in a pinch
The squeeze pouch on my Sawyer filter busted open after four uses, and the o ring on the filter blew out shortly thereafter. I was very glad to be carrying these- they got me through a two day trip with no problems. I didn't notice any unpleasant taste. They do turn the water a little orange, but I actually liked this because after a few uses you can tell from the color if the tablets have fully dissolved so you can start the clock. Small price to pay for peace of mind.
Beware the stuffing
I purchased these as a back up water source for a Grand Canyon trip. Didn't need to use them but the bottle is super light and small. One warning: the bottle is packed with a padding I assume to protect the tablets. It's very hard to remove and is nearly impossible without tweezers. Remove it at home or carry a tool with you
fill, drop, wait & drink
I have used a Sawyer Mini filter. I forgot to sleep with it one freezing night and also didn't bring it into my pocket during a cold day, so I couldn't trust it any more. I changed to PA and Aqua Mira to clean my water. PA is lighter and simpler than the filter or even Aqua Mira. Fill the bottle, drop a tablet in, wait 30 min and drink. A pinch of vitamin c will take out the taste of iodine, or you can buy this with the neutralizing pills another $5. Ultra light at its best.
questionable water usable
Even though this does not kill everything. It still has its place in the outdoor world. In a pinch it will help. And in the glass jars, they will keep for a long time. be sure to test product at home, to see how it will effect you, before using it outdoors.
Awesome Stuff
I've used these little guys as both a primary and secondary water purification source. They are ridiculously easy to use and ridiculously easy to pack, which is why I never go anywhere without them in my pack, my first aid kit, my car, etc. Generally I have used them the most when out backpacking and will often use the tablets instead of an actual filter since they are so much smaller and easier. The taste is the only downside. The treated water doesn't generally taste that great, but when I'm out backpacking or climbing I'm thirsty and some funky tasting water tastes just fine to me especially when I know it's clean.

Great as a backup purifier.
Recently when hiking in the mountains in the winter, it was so cold my Sawyer Squeeze had ice crystals forming while trying to force the water through the filter. I reverted to these tablets and they worked great. Only down side is it does have an aftertaste.
Portable, easy to use & no aftertaste
I used these products while on a recent four day backpacking trip in Newfoundland. What I liked about them: 1.The containers weighed next to nothing. 2.The containers are colour coded & that made it a whole lot easier to remember which one to use. 3.There was zero Iodine taste after using the tablets and the water was clear coloured. The only issue for some people, particularly if you are only carrying one water bottle, is that you do have to wait 35 minutes in total for the water to be safe to drink. I had 2 water bottles so when I emptied one, I'd refill and add tablets immediately so I never had to wait.
