When going hiking, camping or simply traveling, a portable water purifier is a life savior. You may be roaming in the most beautiful of landscapes, and still be threatened by the little inhabitants of the unseen world: micro-organisms. A water filtration system easy to carry in the backpack will make even marshy water safe to drink. There are two or more stages of purification on which such devices rely: the first one includes sedimentation when all the larger and heavier particles fall at the bottom of the recipient, and then the water is passed through advanced carbon filters or exposed to ultraviolet light that kills the gems instantly. A portable water purifier will thus create biologically pure water to drink. A very advanced model of portable water purifier will change the properties of 0.5 liters in no more than forty-eight seconds. The speed of the process is justified by the use of ultraviolet light for a procedure that has no match when compared to the action of the iodine or the chlorine that can last up to four hours. Another great option you can find included in the design of a portable water purifier is the use of rechargeable batteries or the use of alternative energy sources. Furthermore, the portable water purifier also needs to be lightweight, otherwise, carrying it around can be a real problem for hikers. Digital items will have special indicators that will tell you when the process is complete; moreover, there are models that even include an integrated temperature sensor that is essential in determining the duration of the exposure. If the portable water purifier you purchase has no digital applications, make sure to closely follow the instructions about the time required for the completion of the filtration process. Failure to do so could expose you to bacteria and germs that may have remained in the water. Always check the technical details of the portable water purifier before buying it. You need to be familiar and content with the type of disinfection system it uses; then, you should learn the speed of the filtration process and the quantity of water it can treat at a time. It is also essential to know the lifespan of the batteries on which the portable water purifier operates so that you avoid unpleasant situations when you are left without enough power necessary for the filtration process. And last but not least, you should also know whether the item works for both clear and muddy or sediment-laden water too.