FAQs

Will Sawyer Water Filters remove salt from seawater

No water filter will remove salt from seawater. Whoever invents that process will get very rich, very quickly!


My faucet adapter pops off the faucet, what do I do?

The faucet you are using must have a high rate of pressure. Holding it onto the faucet will help. Don't worry about damaging your filter from this high pressure as it has been designed to cope with this.


How will I know when the filter requires backwashing?

The flow of water will slow down. However, it will never fail. Once the filter starts to slow down simply backwash it and it will be as good as new.


Do I need to open the filter to clean it?

No. All of the Sawyer filters are sealed shut and do not need to be opened; breaking the filter housing is completely unnecessary and will void your warranty.


How hard do I need to squeeze the pouch on my Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter to start the filtration process?

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter uses the same filter that we use in our gravity filters which means that the filter itself offers very little resistance. If you are uncomfortable with how hard you are having to squeeze your pouches in order to filter water we highly suggest that you backwash your filter. Keeping your filter clean will minimize the filter resistance when in use.


I am scared that I may burst my pouch. Should I be?

Firstly, our squeeze system removes more seen and unseen particulates than you are used to filtering. So while the filter has 20 times the capacity of typical pump filters, it is also filtering out much more. The good news is that you are getting cleaner water than you have gotten before!

There are two solutions to preserving the life of your pouch and preventing the possibility of bursting:

  1. Don't squeeze as hard. You can reduce the back pressure of squeezing by adding oral suction to guzzle the water through the filter.
  2. Backflush the filter with more force and more often. Fill the syringe and don't be afraid to use force to clean the filter and to backflush more than once. It is important that the first backflush is strong so that it cleans out all of the fibres rather than just the paths of least resistance.

Are your filters compatible with other products?

Yes. The Squeeze Filter was designed to fit on most standard drinking bottles but we do not recommend using it with other pouches or gravity system. All of our pouches and gravity bags are constructed with high grade materials and are designed specifically for Sawyer filters. We encourage you to use them rather than trying to build your own system.


Is this good for kids at camp?

Yes, it is easy. It is safe. It couldn't be more perfect!


How do I get water for a group of people?

Sawyer offers 2 Litre and 4 Litre Gravity Water Filtration systems as well as Bucket Assembly Kits that can easily convert a bucket or pail into a water filtration system. In addition to these large volume systems, Sawyer also recommends using the standard 2 Litre pouch that comes with the Sawyer Squeeze Systems or a faucet adapter (if a faucet is available). For even larger groups use multiple bucket adapter systems attached to the same container--like a 55 gallon container.


If I put the inline on my Hydration Pack, can I take it off?

Yes. The inline filter assembly kits include all the necessary parts to use the hydration bladder without the filter installed.


Can I put the bottle model filter in a different /smaller bottle?

The cap on the Sawyer Water Filtration Bottles is designed to fit on other bottles that use a "Standard" 63 MM thread. You may need to trim the connecting hose to the proper length.


How often should I clean the filter?

For longer filter life, you should backwash and sanitize the filter after every outing.


If I backwash it, will the bacteria in the city water grow in the filter?

We recommend sanitizing the filter before storing it. If you backwash the filter and then use it, bacteria from the city water will not grow.


Is it going to get clogged while I'm out on a trip?

Even with very high particulate/turbid water you should get up to 10 gallons through the filter. If this is not enough water for your trip, simply backwash your filter in the field and it will be as good as new.


Can the filter be frozen?

While we have no proof that freezing damages the filters we have no proof that it does not. Therefore we must recommend replacing the filter if you suspect it has been frozen.


Can I dry my filter out and then store it in freezing temperatures?

No, it is almost impossible to get all the moisture out of a filter once it has had water in it; and the small amount that remains may cause damage.


How do I use the filter in freezing temperatures?

You will need to keep the filter warm when not in use. You can carry it in an inside pocket close to your body and use your body heat to keep it from freezing. At night bring it in your sleeping bag with you.


Is there a simple field test to see if the filter is working, like adding food colouring?

No, there are no reliable field tests available at this time that work conclusively for ANY manufacturers filter. Running food colouring through the filter will not give an reliable indication as to the filters performance.


I stored my filter for a while and now it won't work, what do I do?

This can happen when people forget to clean the filter before storage and the sediment in them dries up. Backwashing with warm to hot water will loosen the dirt up. Sometimes you have to soak the filter in hot water for a while.


I notice white all over my filter outlet and it doesn't flow as fast as it used to, what do I do?

Sounds like you are getting calcium build up. Soak the filter in vinegar for a half hour and then back wash it. You may have to repeat this a few times to get it completely clean.


How do I know which level of filtration I need?

First consider where you will use your filter. In most environments worldwide the 0.1 micron model filters will do just fine. However, If there has been a known outbreak of water bourne viral contamination, causing you to suspect that there are viruses in the water, then you may need to either use one of our 0.02 micron filters, or add a small amount of chlorine to the water.


Does the filter remove chemicals and heavy metals?

No, it does not, and neither will other manufacturers filters in the field. Most portable filtration units, while making claims to, can only perform in laboratory conditions and not in real world use.


How do I know your label claims are true?

We have independent lab tests using EPA protocols that are available on our downloads page.


I'm concerned about Viruses. What do I need to know?

It is very rare for Water borne viruses to be present in drinking water. The only three of concern that may occur are Polio, Hepatitis and Norovirus. The only way that they can get into the water system is from the excrement of an infected person. Therefore, untreated raw sewage must be present. Even in underdeveloped countries this is rare. (but it can happen particularly during floods).

Read more on our dedicated virus page here.

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