Name: Pam Wyant
Age: 48
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight: 165 lb (77 kg)
E-mail address: pamwyant(at)yahoo(dot)com
Location: Western West Virginia, U.S.A.

Backpacking Background:

As spring 2006 approaches, I'm beginning my third year of backpacking. I've progressed from day-hiking and single overnights my first year to weekend trips last year. This year it’s finally time for a longer trip as I begin section hiking the Appalachian Trail in April. I hike and backpack mainly in the hills and valleys of West Virginia, and use a hammock sleeping system. For a two-day trip my typical pack weighs 22-30 lb (10-14 kg) including consumables, and I’m still trying to lighten that a bit.

Product Information

Manufacturer: KlearWater.com
Year of manufacture: 2006
Date of Delivery: March 17, 2006
Listed weight: 3 oz (85 g)
Weight as delivered:
Water treatment/bottle only - 2.7 oz (77 g)
With storage container & measuring spoon - 3.1 oz (88 g)
Listed Dimensions: None given
Bottle dimensions as delivered: 3.25 in high x 1.25 in wide
     (8.25 x 3.25 cm)
Bottle Color:   Brown
Manufacturer Website: http://www.KlearWater.com
MSRP:   Not given

Ingredients:
0.15% Cl02 (Chlorine Dioxide)
99.85% De-ionized water

Content weight: 1 oz (30 ml) per specifications

Product Features:
1 ml (.03 fl oz) treats 1 L (1 Qt) of water
No mixing or waiting for a chemical reaction to activate
Effective in a wide range of temperatures and PH.
Last months after opening
Self-indicating (yellow) when active - clear when inactive
Multi-use - oral rinse, hand wash, surface cleaner, wound wash
10 years proven performance world-wide

KlearWater is a liquid water treatment formulated to be used "as is" without the need to mix chemicals together. KlearWater is the only "pre-measured, pre-mixed, active Chlorine Dioxide water treatment available in the world today" according to the manufacturer's website. The website points out that the Chlorine Dioxide in KlearWater has an oxygenating effect that goes to work immediately since it does not have to be pre-mixed before being added to water for treatment and that many municipal water treatment facilities use Chlorine Dioxide (Cl02) to treat water for viruses and bacteria such as E-Coli, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia, which are also found in streams and lakes in the U.S. The website also states KlearWater can be useful even when water if filtered, to kill viruses too small to be filtered out and to kill bacteria in the filter itself.

The brown glass bottle containing the water treatment solution is packaged inside a clear plastic storage tube with lid, which also holds a white 1 ml (.03 fl oz) measuring spoon and a small folded instruction sheet. The lid of the bottle holds 2 ml (.07 fl oz) and may also be used for measuring (filling 1/2 full for 1 ml or .03 fl oz) if the spoon is lost or left behind. The plastic storage container can be used to mix more concentrated smaller quantities of water with KlearWater for use as an oral rinse, handwash, surface cleaner or emergency would wash.

The directions included with the package of water treatment give several tips on using and storing KlearWater, overviewed as follows:
    KlearWater is light yellow when it is active (effective to use) and if it is inactive (ineffective for proper treatment) it is clear.
    For best results store in a cool, dark place, keep the cap closed securely except when using, and avoid exposure to light, especially sunlight.
    Refrigeration will extend the product life, but do not allow to freeze.
    For treating water, use 1 ml (.03 fl oz) per liter (quart) of water, mix by shaking container, and wait 15 minutes to drink, or 30 minutes if water is suspect.
    For cloudy water use 2 ml (.07 fl oz) per liter (quart).
    To use as an oral rinse mix 1 ml (.03 fl oz) with 1 fl oz (30 ml) water, immediately rinse mouth for 30+ seconds.
    For a hand wash, apply 1 ml (.03 oz) to hands, rub together to wet thoroughly and allow to air dry.
    For a surface cleaner, thoroughly wet surface with 1 ml (.03 oz) and allow to air dry.
    For an emergency wound wash, use 1 ml & rinse affected area immediately.
    When using as a hand wash, surface cleaner, or wound wash, the solution may be diluted with an equal part of water or used straight.

In addition to the above information, the manufacturer's website indicates KlearWater can be used for washing fruits and vegetables, although this use is not mentioned on the instruction sheet included with the product.

Directions for water treatment are also printed on the bottle label, however they indicate to use the cap, filling to the band. A letter included in the shipment states that the supplier unfortunately failed to manufacture the cap to specifications and it does not have a band to indicate the 1 ml (.03 fl oz) level. The letter also states that bottle labels will be changed on all future production to reflect this, and that the cap may still be used to measure - 1/2 cap for 1 ml (.03 fl oz). The bottle labeling does not repeat the instructions for the additional uses.

There are also a few warnings on the instruction sheet:
    "Prolonged exposure to UV light (especially sunlight), excessive heat or air will cause Chlorine Dioxide to deteriorate."
    "May discolor some fabrics"
    "Keep out of reach of children"
And on the bottle:
    "Keep from eyes. If exposed, flush with water, get medical attention."
    "Do not drink concentrate. If swallowed, drink water, do not induce vomiting."
    "May irritate skin and discolor some fabrics. If exposed, flush with water."
    "Dispose of properly."

Finally, there is a useful water gathering tip on the instruction sheet:
    "When gathering water in streams or lakes it is best to draw the water a few inches below the surface while being careful not to disturb the bottom. Most bacteria     and viruses are found on the surface of water or in the biofilm that coats rocks or other materials at the bottom."

Preliminary Testing/Impressions

The plastic storage container keeps everything neatly stored, and is easy to open by just pushing upward on a small tab on the lid with my thumb. I measured the capacity of this container and it does indeed hold 3 fl oz (89 ml) as the manufacturer states. Interestingly, a scored line is located about 1/3 of the way from the top of the container, and marks the 2 fl oz (59 ml) level, but there is no marking at the 1 fl oz (30 ml) level, which is the amount of water to use for an oral rinse. However, it is easy enough to 'eyeball up' 1 fl oz (30 ml) by gauging either 1/3 of the container total or 1/2 of the distance between the marking and the container bottom. I tested the container and found that with the lid closed, it seals 'water-tight', even when turned upside down or shaken, so it should be useful as a safety barrier to store KlearWater in my pack and prevent accidental leaking of the chemical onto my pack contents. Considering the cost of a good sleeping bag, this is a feature I am happy to see.

Adding KlearWater

My first preliminary test was to open the bottle and sniff. This could have been a big mistake, considering my nostrils were immediately filled with a strong chlorine-like odor, but fortunately I noted no side effects from the strong smell. Interestingly, although KlearWater smells like chlorine and the active ingredient is called Chlorine Dioxide, the website states it does not contain chlorine. The bottle lid is a screw off type, and I found it opened easily.

My next test was to mix about 0.5 ml (.02 fl oz) of KlearWater with a 0.5 L (1/2 qt) bottle filled with our well water. Although the KlearWater solution is light yellow, it does not turn water in this quantity a noticeable color. Since I know our water is safe (at least it has never made us sick), I waited 15 minutes to simulate the minimum time I would wait in the field, and eagerly sipped the water to see if I noted any "chemical" taste or smell. I was very pleased with the taste of the water, but couldn't quite decide if it tasted the same as always or slightly different. So I poured a glass of 'straight' well water, and sipped the two alternately. I finally concluded there is a very slight different taste to the treated water, and a very slight odor. If I hadn't been looking for it, I would probably not have noticed a difference. For me, the taste of water treated with KlearWater is much better than most municipal water I've tasted.

Klearwater as oral rinse

Next I tried it as a mouthwash. This time, using the smaller quantity of water recommended (1 fl oz or 30 ml), the water did turn a noticeable light yellow shade. The chlorine taste was noticeable, but not overwhelming. It reminded me of times I've accidentally had pool water flow into my mouth when swimming.

Finally, for my preliminary testing, I mixed 0.5 ml (.02 fl oz) of KlearWater with an equal amount of water and used it to wash my hands. Even with such a small amount as 1 ml (.03 fl oz), it was easy to entirely coat my hands. They had no chlorine odor either while wet or when they dried, which was within a few seconds, and no noticeably different feel to my hands from the KlearWater.

The plastic measuring spoon is not marked in smaller increments, so treating half a liter (or half a quart) of water involves some guesswork on how full to fill the spoon. Fortunately, it doesn't appear using more KlearWater is harmful (since it can be used in a more concentrated form for an oral rinse or to treat cloudy water), so this should not be a problem - I'll just err on the side of a bit too much KlearWater if necessary. I did find 1 ml (.03 fl oz) was easy to pour, but pouring a smaller portion was a bit trickier, and I sometimes ended up with a full spoon and had to pour part of it back into the bottle to get a half spoonful.

Test Plan

I normally use a gravity feed water filter, but for the duration of this test, I will be using KlearWater exclusively for all my water purifications needs (other than maybe a bandana or such to strain particles if necessary). In April KlearWater will be put to use treating water on my 8-day section hike of the Georgia portion of the Appalachian Trail. Although we plan one re-supply, I still anticipate carrying between 30-35 lb (13-16 kg) with consumables due to the possiblity of sub-freezing nights in the mountains. My trip research shows elevations from about 2500 ft to close to 4500 ft (750 to 1200 m) for the section of the trail I will be covering, and temperatures that might possibly run as low as 20 F (-5 C) range to as high as 80 F (25 C) range. Three friends and I plan to cover over 80 m (129 km) during this trip, with daily mileage that may vary from 4 m (6 km) to 16 m (26 km) due to placement of re-supply and reliable water sources.

Additional testing of the KlearWater Water Treatment will be on the trails of West Virginia, on backpacking trips in the mountainous eastern region of the state with elevations from 2500 to over 4000 ft (750 to over 1200 m) and temperatures that will likely range from lows in the 30 F (0 C) range to highs up to the 80 F (25 C) range and for longer day hikes in the central and eastern part of the state with elevations from 550 to 1000 ft (150 to 300 m) where temperatures should be slightly warmer. Weekend trips will likely vary from around 7-20 m (11-32 km) and day hikes that I will use KlearWater on may vary from 7-10 m (11-16 km). Days along the trail may vary from bright and sunny to daylong rain and anything in between. From my research it appears I can expect rain in Georgia in April, and rainfall is usually ample in West Virginia, with normal monthly levels ranging from 3-5 inches. Humidity levels during the late spring and summer months in West Virginia are often high and preliminary research shows high humidity common in Georgia during April.

Over the test series, I will be looking at the following issues and reporting on my findings:

Ease of use of the product: No mixing or dissolving sounds good, but I usually use a bladder instead of a bottle for my water. While I’ve found KlearWater easy to use with a bottle, is it as easy to measure and add to a bladder? I like to use a small sport platypus for drinking at night or around camp in the evening. How easy is it to measure the right amount of KlearWater to use with this smaller (0.5 L/0.5 qt) bladder in the field? Is it as easy to use the bottle cap for measuring as the measuring spoon? Can I operate the Klearwater bottle one handed while holding my platypus in my other hand, or do I need to find a level area to set things down when measuring and adding the treatment to my bladder?

Effectiveness of the product: The manufacturer’s website states KlearWater is relatively unaffected by water temperature or PH. What is meant by “relatively”? There are no directions to treat longer for cold water or that I need to know the PH of water to treat it effectively, so I guess I'll have to hope for the best here and assume that KlearWater will work in all water conditions I encounter. Of course, the ultimate test of effectiveness will have to apply here – do I contract any water borne illness while using KlearWater according to directions (15 minutes of treatment for non-suspect sources, 30 minutes for suspect sources, and an extra 1 ml (.03 fl oz) of KlearWater for cloudy water)? Other than the advice on collecting water a few inches below the surface and not disturbing the bottom, there are no instructions on what to consider a non-suspect source. Do I end up with giardia because I only treated spring water 15 minutes instead of 30?

Taste: I've noticed a very slight taste difference in my home water treated with KlearWater as opposed to the same water with no treatment. I'll test a different source known to be safe, such as the water at my parent's home and Girl Scout camp (also on wells - but the one at the Girl Scout camp is chlorinated), and from a municipal water source. Is there a noticeable difference in taste with water I am not as familiar with drinking?

Self-indicating feature: I plan to test a small amount of KlearWater by leaving it out exposed to air and sunlight. Does it change from yellow to clear? How long does it take?

Storage – Do I have any problems with KlearWater leaking in my pack when kept in the original packaging? Do I have to be careful where I store it in my pack? Where do I find it most convenient to store for easy use? No specific directions are given on whether it must be stored in original packaging. With the self indicating feature, it should be relatively easy to determine if storing it in another container endangers its effectiveness, and I plan to report on whether I can pour some into a smaller bottle for weekend trips to save the weight of the brown glass bottle and more solution than I need. Can I determine how many drops to use for effectiveness if I want to use a dropper bottle and leave the measuring utensils at home? Would it be prudent to carry a small amount this way as a back-up in case the original bottle would spill or become damaged?

Side effects – Do I find I suffer any side effects that might show up on a regular basis from use of KlearWater, such as stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, or allergic reactions of any sort?

And last, but certainly not least, I’d like to report on how convenient (or inconvenient) treating with KlearWater is while backpacking. Do I get frustrated by having to wait for the chemical to work when I’d really like a cool fresh and fast drink? Do I find I tend to carry more water in order to avoid waiting to quench my thirst, thereby negating any weight savings by leaving the filter home?

Likes –

Convenient (no pre-mixing)

Lighter than my filter
No objectionable taste
Packaging appears leak-proof

Dislikes –
No instructions on what to regard as "suspect" water
No information on when water temperatures or PH might make the product ineffective
No 1/2 ml (.02 fl oz) marking on measuring spoon
No markings for 1/2 ml (.02 fl oz) or 1 ml on bottle cap (.03 fl oz)

Thanks to KlearWater and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test KlearWater water treatment.

Read more reviews of KlearWater gear
Read more gear reviews by Pamela Wyant

Initial Report

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