Originally Posted by
pataspen
I don't know how the Aquamira works, but years ago I bought a two-part system at the local outdoor shop. It may be the same as Aquamira.
The first part were the usual iodine tablets. The second part killed the iodine taste. When I read the label I discovered the second tablets were ascorbic acid, which I remembered from High School science class is simply Vitamin C. I could have saved a bunch of money buying Vitamin C rather than a incredibly over-priced "Iodine Taste Killer Tablet". I don't know if Aquamira is the same, but it might be worth checking out for those who use it.
Aqua Mira is entirely different from iodine. It is a two-part system that produces chlorine dioxide. However, it is not the same as sodium hypochlorite which is the main ingredient in bleach and which is also used to purify water, imparting that "chlorine" taste. Aqua Mira treated water has no residual taste as is the case with chlorine and iodine based systems. If you read their literature they only claim to purify "potable" drinking water which is a bit disconcerting. I'm not sure exactly why they aren't claiming to disinfect water but one study that was done seems to support the idea that the treatment is effective against a wide-range of water borne pathogens and is better than iodine and filters at eliminating the risk of ingesting something bad. See here:
Aqua Mira FAQs and here:
Efficacy of Water Treatments study I have used it successfully (at least I haven't yet gotten any intestinal parasites) for the last 10 years backpacking and touring (and drinking from streams and lakes in Maine, Labrador, Quebec, and Ontario while doing so).