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Greg from Anne Arundel MD on 3/6/2015 8:45:18 PM:
Ok this board is great my first question regarding bike security was answered. I just wish there was a way to search.....So anyhow I know there are water pumps along the way at the campsites, is it necessary to filter or treat the water? What do people normally do for water biking along the tow path.

I was thinking about using a sawyer mini to filter the water, the send it through a charcoal filter to help with taste. I will be carrying 4 drink bottles with me so it won't take long to fill.....Any knowledge on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Paul A on 3/6/2015 11:54:55 PM:
When I did my thu hike of the C+O I didn't filter or treat water I got from the hand pumps and never got sick. When I did the thru hike of the Gap I filtered all water I took from the ground. Also didn't get sick then either.
 
Anonymous on 3/7/2015 7:49:56 AM:
The handpumps at each campsite on the C&O are treated with iodine and checked regularly so unless you are allergic to iodine you will be fine, just remember that the water will turn your camp stuff a bit dull orange that can be cleaned up once you get home.
 
Rick from Grafton on 3/8/2015 6:43:20 AM:
The water along the C&O is safe to drink...but it does have a slight to moderate metallic taste and will indeed turn water bottles etc a nice shade of orange. I once added some to a freeze dried meal and there was a bluish color to the meal. For normal drinking during the day I usually add some Mio or Gatorade powder just to hide the taste a bit.
The park service will remove handles from pumps on occasion if the water is tainted. We once did a 62 mile day and rolled into camp. Never looked at the pump until after setting up camp. we were too tired to reload the gear so one guy rode another 6 miles round trip for water.
 
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 3/8/2015 3:48:28 PM:
The first time you have it you really don't notice the iodine taste too much but after a couple days you begin to tire of it. That said, it's such a great resource to have especially when you might be miles from town. I had bottled water some of the time and used the pumps to supplement the rest of the water I needed. I never got sick or felt any ill effects from drinking it. Totally fine.
 
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