Should You Drink Glacier Water Directly?

Is Glacier Water Safe?

[{"selector":"#anim-3df3805e-fb13-4d67-9eb0-709b489af55c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] No, it's generally not recommended to drink untreated glacier water directly. Credits: Unsplash

Why Isn't It Safe?

[{"selector":"#anim-a26debf1-59ff-4421-a4d3-9b6f52bcdb55 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The following are a few key reasons why. Credits: Unsplash

1. Contamination Risk

[{"selector":"#anim-24353a96-a16f-4370-899d-9b2a29df60b1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Glacier water may contain harmful microorganisms like giardia, cryptosporidium, or bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Credits: Unsplash

From Animal Waste

[{"selector":"#anim-5699d85b-068b-466b-b4e2-a258c2cbb8cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Glaciers can pick up these pathogens from animal waste, surface water runoff, or even human waste. Credits: Unsplash

2. Murkiness Of Water

[{"selector":"#anim-353fed89-e183-485d-b21d-bfbd64a2cf0b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.0658141036401503e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Glacier meltwater often contains suspended sediments, rock particles, and other debris that can make the water appear cloudy or murky. Credits: Unsplash

3. Difficult To Disinfect

[{"selector":"#anim-64e878dd-ce56-4106-a8ba-08ad258306de [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] While not necessarily harmful itself, murky water is difficult to disinfect effectively. Credits: Unsplash

4. Chemical Contaminants

[{"selector":"#anim-f2f58897-7986-448a-b0b1-84edc7bc1891 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Depending on the geology of the area, glacier water can potentially contain elevated levels of heavy metals like arsenic or lead leached from the rocks. Credits: Unsplash

When Is It Safe?

[{"selector":"#anim-cd551fac-cc23-4ea0-9c99-3c4cadb91762 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] To make glacier water safe for drinking, it needs to be properly filtered and disinfected first, preferably by boiling, using a proven portable filter, or treating with chemical disinfectants. Credits: Unsplash

[{"selector":"#anim-73b1bb82-8397-4a8e-9192-f8cd1f8743be [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Have you ever tried to drink glacier water? Credits: Unsplash