Boiling Water

[JackBean]

that's not true. E.g. the indian clothes sari are able to prevent cholera break through if used as filter

[skeptic]

Jack

While that may be true, to get complete protection via a drinking water filter, you need to screen out viruses as well. For example : norovirus is a common cause of excruciating gastro-intenstinal problems throughout the world, including the west, and it is caused by a virus that will pass through all but the best filters. Only a micro-pore filtration membrane will do it. Fortunately, these are available very readily.

I have one for my own drinking water, since I collect rainwater. Said rainwater contains lots of bacteria, protozoans and viruses. Without a proper filter, my drinking water could not be trusted. Or else I would have to add chlorine.

[JackBean]

yeah, I'm pretty sure, they are much available e.g. in Africa or India

Interesting, that if are they throughout the world, I have always drunken only tap water and I was fine...

[biohazard]

I almost always drink tap water when home or traveling, and back here I also drink rain water (for example at our summer house) that has not been boiled or filtered. But of course, the collection vessel must be clean and the water must not be let standing. I think I have had stomach disease once in the last 10 years, and that I got when I ate some poorly stored sausages :P