Potable Aqua  Chlorine Dioxide Tablets - Package of 30

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Purifying water couldn't be easier! Simply drop a Potable Aqua chlorine dioxide tablet from this packet of 30 into a quart of water and let it go to work.

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Features

  • Features the same proven technology used in municipal water supplies; effective against viruses, bacteria, giardia and cryptosporidia
  • Requires a 4 hr. treatment time to kill contaminants
  • Each tablet is individually wrapped and sealed
  • Unopened Potable Aqua tablets that are stored at temperatures between 60 and 86°F should remain effective up to 4 years
  • Exposure to heat, humidity, moisture and air will reduce the effectiveness of the tablets

Made in USA.

View all Potable Aqua Chemical Water Treatments

Technical Specs

Best Use

Backpacking

Filter Type

Tablet

Removes/Destroys

Protozoa, Bacteria And Viruses

Output

30 quarts

Weight

0.9 ounce

Reviews
16 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

14 out of 14 (100%) reviewers recommend this product

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Average Customer Ratings

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars
Works Great!
hiker17MD
12 years ago
These tablets work great. Other reviewers have commented on the taste of the water after treatment, but I did NOT think the water tasted any different than the city water in Minneapolis (maybe it even tasted better!). There really is not any strange taste left over. It does take 4 hours to get rid of the encysted stuff, but if you plan ahead and have a bottle specifically for treatments the time is not an issue. I used these on a three day backpacking trip in northern MN and plan to use them in the future for other backpacking trips. I use a 2L hydration bladder and a 1 L nalgene bottle. I would treat water in the nalgene bottle overnight and during the day while I was hiking, and then empty it into the bladder.
hiker17MD
Minneapolis, MN
36 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
If you have to...
Paddy Potatoes
14 years ago
I usually bring a water filtration pump on my trips, but since I was going in February and the temperature would be well below freezing, and not wanting to deal with a frozen pump, I thought tablets might be a better alternative to boiling. But the flavor was so horrible that this was somewhat difficult. Everybody agreed that it was somewhat along the lines of chemical toilet and boiling became a much better option. As I figure it, the strength of each tablet is probally much higher than it needs to be to ensure that they work under any circumstances. I also assume that the companies producing these tablets don't want sick hikers and so the doseage is well above what is actually required. So, what you have is terribly tasting water free of micro organisms. The tablets are easy to use, they weigh nothing and can be carried in your pocket. Personally, I think the pumps are preferred. The extra pound of weight and little amount of time required to use a pump filter is a small penalty for the fresher taste of the water it produces. But these tablets do have a use. They don't hurt to bring along as an emergency backup should your filter break, and for winter backpacking when using a pump is impossible, they are handy. But I can't recommend relying on them to clean your water. After all, there is little else so pleasing on a sweaty hike than a drink of water, unless that water tastes like bleach.
Paddy Potatoes
Pawtucket, RI
17 people found this review helpful
hiker17MD
Minneapolis, MN
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Works Great!

12 years ago

These tablets work great. Other reviewers have commented on the taste of the water after treatment, but I did NOT think the water tasted any different than the city water in Minneapolis (maybe it even tasted better!). There really is not any strange taste left over. It does take 4 hours to get rid of the encysted stuff, but if you plan ahead and have a bottle specifically for treatments the time is not an issue. I used these on a three day backpacking trip in northern MN and plan to use them in the future for other backpacking trips. I use a 2L hydration bladder and a 1 L nalgene bottle. I would treat water in the nalgene bottle overnight and during the day while I was hiking, and then empty it into the bladder.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Hikes4Days
Alexandria, VA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Go to for chemical treatment

4 years ago

I’ve been using these tablets for a couple years now, and I’ve yet to get sick using them. My go to method is to “filter” out junk with an old cracked sawyer squeeze to remove particles and drop one of these bad boys in my nalgene. I usually always plan water so I don’t have to wait to drink, meaning I kill the night before then have water for the next day. Or I get water in the morning then have it for the afternoon and evening. I also drop 3 tablets in a three liter balder. It tastes way better than other treatments, but still has a nice strong heavy city water taste. It also can discolor bottles/bladder a yellow tint if it makes direct contact (the tablet that is). Overall better than getting the runs. Just plan correctly and ahead of time and these are by far the best option.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
jataylor79
Austin, Texas
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

stay well in the wild

16 years ago

Excellent product. Easy to use and effective against all types of water-borne pathogens, chlorine dioxide is used world-wide to treat public water supplies. Advantages over iodine: (1) effective against Cryptosporidium; (2) tablets are individually vacuum-sealed (better shelf life); (3) lightweight (no glass bottle); (4) no iodine-related health risks. ----------------------------------------------- To clarify the waiting period: * 30 minutes will kill most pathogens * a full 4 hours are required to kill Cryptosporidium, a tough little protozoan on the rise in U.S. waters ----------------------------------------------- If the 4 hour wait time is too much for you, run the water through a filter that catches the Crypto (they are very large), then treat with chlorine dioxide. (The "MSR Sweetwater Purifier System" is an out-of-the-box setup, though I prefer solid tablets to the liquid drops which are included in this system.) Tip: the mild chemical aftertaste largely subsides if water is left to sit overnight.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
MelJane
San Diego & Grand Canyon
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Illness isn't always what your doctor tells you

8 years ago

Without a genuine lab culture, "a" doctor (actually more than five different doctors in different years, through different health agencies) diagnosed me and provided an antibiotic. After several refills, the problem wasn't going away. Fortunately, I meanwhile ventured to REI and found these two products listed as an employee choice selection, noticed the packaging claims of eliminating cryptosporidium and cystic bacterium, and tried it out with normal American municipal water. I've been mostly "zit"(et al)-free ever since. [P.S. I do Not use this with my water on a regular basis; I did request and pick up a MaterialSafetyDataSheet with my purchase].

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
June
Marlton, NJ
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Must have for storm related water issues !

7 years ago

I highly recommend these tablets. Important to keep on hand for emergencies related to storms, poor or unsafe water. A must for off trail hiking or in remote areas where water quality is unknow.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Alex H
Madison, WI
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Great Product, No Taste

4 years ago

I used these on a backpacking trip in Colorado and they worked great without adding an unpleasant taste to the water.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Nicole
Boston, MA
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Better than iodine!

17 years ago

This product is confusing because it says to leave in for 4 hours but [...] staff said 30 min is fine for clear water (like tap water in foreign countries). Still, the taste is very strong, but better than iodine. The longer it sits, the taste starts to go away. Also, doesn't stain water bottles like iodine does. Good value.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
rknee
Chicago, IL, United States
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Fresh tasting

8 years ago

I bought these tablets for my trip to the BWCA and they worked great. Just need to plan on the 4 hour time period for the tablets to work, but much better than the iodine tablets for boiling water if you want to drink cool fresh water.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Aldon
Georgia, United States
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Very pleased

8 years ago

Used these last weekend.. You might smell a little hint of the chorine, if at all. Barely any chemical taste. Virtually no pack space.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Robert
Washington, DC
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Easily make drinkable water

4 years ago

It makes drinkable water. I notice the change in taste as the trade-off, but its not awful. Great for camping and home emergencies.

Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
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