If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have to drink from an unknown water source, it's essential to treat the water to avoid getting sick. Bacteria and protozoa like *Giardia* and *Cryptosporidium* are the most common threats, and they can cause severe gastrointestinal illness at the worst possible time.
But here's something you might not expect: many survival experts and product marketers say you don’t need to worry about viruses in water if you're in places like the U.S. or Canada. For example:
- “Water-borne viruses aren’t a major threat in the U.S., Canada, parts of Europe, and Australia, so a filter is usually enough,†says Adrienne Donica in *Popular Mechanics*.
- “Harmful viruses are extremely rare in surface waters,†notes Cliff Jacobson in *Scouting Magazine*.
- “Viruses are not commonly transmitted through water,†according to *Sawyer’s* guide for hikers and campers.
This advice is repeated in many survival guides, including our own water essentials video course and reviews of portable water filters.
But why? Why would viruses be less of a concern in developed countries when they can still make people very sick?
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- Most waterborne viruses come from human waste. If you avoid areas where water mixes with feces, you’re likely safe from the main threats.
- Developed nations have better sanitation systems that keep human waste out of drinking water. In contrast, many developing regions lack these systems, leading to more viral contamination.
- If there are few people around, there’s less chance a virus has been introduced into the water, and even if it is, it won’t last long without new hosts.
- So, the reasoning behind the “don’t worry†advice is that if you’re near civilization, proper sanitation is in place. If you're in the wilderness, there aren’t enough people to spread the virus.
However, this can change during disasters—like floods after a hurricane, where sewage and water mix, or in crowded camps with poor hygiene.
Contrary to what you might think, cold temperatures help viruses survive longer, while heat tends to kill them off faster.
There are several types of waterborne viruses to be aware of, including adenovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A and E, rotavirus, norovirus, and enteroviruses like poliovirus. Many of these cause diarrhea, and some, like hepatitis and polio, can lead to serious health issues.
In the U.S., studies show that most waterborne illnesses are caused by bacteria, not viruses. For example, a 2009–2010 study found that 76% of outbreaks were bacterial, while only 6% were viral. That doesn't mean viruses aren't present, but they rarely cause large-scale problems.
Even in places like Minnesota, where 30% of wells tested positive for viruses, there was no widespread outbreak. Viral outbreaks are rare enough that when they do happen, they make the news.
So why do experts say viruses aren’t a big concern? It often comes down to the environment. Viruses need a host to survive. If there’s little human activity, the risk is lower. But in places with high population density and poor sanitation, the risk increases.
For instance, the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon has had norovirus outbreaks among hikers due to overcrowding and poor sanitation. This shows that even in developed countries, certain conditions can create risks.
In short, while viruses are a real threat, they’re much less common in clean, well-managed water systems. However, if you're in a remote area with limited sanitation or during a disaster, it's wise to take extra precautions. Always look for signs like raw sewage, stagnant water, or recent illness in the area. And remember—viruses can survive longer in cold water, so temperature matters too.
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