The Sawyer Squeeze Filter and MINI Filter can be used in conjunction with a hydration pack. Please see video Sawyer Squeeze with Hydration Pack using Inline Adapter and Sawyer Squeeze with Fast Fill Adapters.

We have independent lab tests using EPA protocols and information about our filters and their warranties available on our Resources Page.

The Sawyer filter removes taste that comes from bacteria, dirt, and green matter.

Chemicals
The Sawyer filter does NOT remove iron, sulfur, other chemicals, or simple compounds. Taste can be masked by using flavor additives like Gatorade or crystal light (filter needs to be cleaned immediately after using them).

Heavy Metals
The standard Sawyer filters are not made with charcoal. While other portable filters have charcoal, they lack in amount of media and adequate dwell time. Therefore, they only remove small amounts of heavy metals, pesticides, etc.

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The frequency of cleaning depends on how dirty the water is. With relatively clear water, backwashing may only be necessary every 1,000 gallons whereas with extremely turbid or muddy water, backwashing may be required every 10 gallons. Nevertheless, backwashing is an extremely simple process and takes only a minute.

The Sawyer filter removes taste that comes from bacteria, dirt, and green matter.

Chemicals
The Sawyer filter does NOT remove iron, sulfur, other chemicals, or simple compounds. Taste can be masked by using flavor additives like Gatorade or crystal light (filter needs to be cleaned immediately after using them).

Heavy Metals
The standard Sawyer filters are not made with charcoal. While other portable filters have charcoal, they lack in amount of media and adequate dwell time. Therefore, they only remove small amounts of heavy metals, pesticides, etc.

We have independent lab tests using EPA protocols and information about our filters and their warranties available on our Resources Page.

Flow rates vary depending on how clean the filter is and how well you cleaned the filter. Altitude also affects the flow rates (the higher you go the slower the flow. Also, the PointZEROTWO™ filter flows much slower that the Point ONE.

If the filter is brand new, there is no risk of freeze damage. However, once the filter has been used or is wet, the ice expansion process within the filter can stretch or damage the fibers to the point where pathogens could slip through. If you suspect your filter has been exposed to freezing conditions after use, we would recommend erring on the side of caution and replacing the system.

Before initial wetting - Filter is safe from freezing temperatures if it has never been wetted.After initial wetting - While there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen.During trips - If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing. THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR A FROZEN FILTER.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter can be used in conjunction with a hydration pack. Please see video Sawyer Squeeze with Hydration Pack using Inline Adapter and Sawyer Squeeze with Fast Fill Adapters.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter with Water Bottles
The Sawyer Squeeze Filter can also be used on water bottles when you are unsure whether or not it is safe to drink the water.

The Sawyer Inline Filter
This convenient filter can be used as an inline filter on a hydration pack, a pre-filter for an existing pump system, with the provided faucet adapter, or with a gravity bag.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter can be used in conjunction with a hydration pack. Please see video Sawyer Squeeze with Hydration Pack using Inline Adapter and Sawyer Squeeze with Fast Fill Adapters.The Sawyer Squeeze Filter can also be used on water bottles when you are unsure whether or not it is safe to drink the water.The Sawyer Inline Filter - This convenient filter can be used as an inline filter on a hydration pack, a pre-filter for an existing pump system, with the provided faucet adapter, or with a gravity bag.

Your Filter is safe from freezing temperatures if it has never been wetted. ‍

After initial wetting
While there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen.

During trips
If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing. THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR A FROZEN FILTER.

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Your Filter is safe from freezing temperatures if it has never been wetted. ‍

After initial wetting
While there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen.

During trips
If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing. THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR A FROZEN FILTER.

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It definitely can improve the taste of water by removing high levels of pathogens or particulates in the water; however, this filter was not designed with taste improvement as a top priority. The main priority of this system is to ensure that the water is safe to drink.

No, we do not recommend attaching filters directly to spigots or faucets. The filters are designed to handle up to 20 psi of pressure and attaching the filter directly to a water source with a higher water pressure can damage the fibers.

Flow rates vary depending on how clean the filter is and how well you cleaned the filter. Altitude also affects the flow rates (the higher you go the slower the flow. Also, the PointZEROTWO™ filter flows much slower that the Point ONE.

Many other filters list nominal or average pore sizes which leave the possibility of harmful pathogens to pass through. By claiming absolute microns there are no variances in pore size on our filter membranes. At 0.1 and 0.02 micron absolute these are true barrier filters so there is no questionable time period whether the water is safe to drink.

Hopefully! We designed these adapters to fit on most standard faucets domestically and internationally. Due to the wide variety of taps on the market, we cannot guarantee that this filter will fit on your specific model. If you are unsure if it will, please send us photos and measurements of your tap. We will happily explore making other size adapters based on the feedback we receive.

Since the filters and purifiers can continuously be backwashed and re-used they have an extremely long life. The filter/purifier membrane may never need to be replaced, however when the flow rate slows or the filter clogs, simply backwash the unit with the provided backwashing device to clear out the pores.

We have independent lab tests using EPA protocols and information about our filters and their warranties available on our Resources Page.

Each Tap Filter is capable of filtering more than 500 gallons of water per day. Proper use and maintenance of the filter will allow for this filter to be used for 10+ years.

Flow rates vary depending on how clean the filter is and how well you cleaned the filter. Altitude also affects the flow rates (the higher you go the slower the flow. Also, the PointZEROTWO™ filter flows much slower that the Point ONE.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter and MINI can be used in conjunction with a hydration pack. Please see video Sawyer Squeeze with Hydration Pack using Inline Adapter and Sawyer Squeeze with Fast Fill Adapters.

Your Filter is safe from freezing temperatures if it has never been wetted.
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After initial wetting
While there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen.

During trips
If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing. THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR A FROZEN FILTER.

Absolutely! If it is no additional trouble, please send us the specs on your tap so we can explore additional adapters as needed based on customer feedback. Just be sure to be mindful of the water pressure (<40 psi) to ensure that the fibers are not damaged.

We recommend backwashing your filter when you flow rate begins to diminish, before prolonged storage, and when you are ready to start using your filter again. Backwashing your filter after storage is a great way to re-wet the filters and restore the flow rate before use.

If properly stored in a cool, dry location away from UV exposure, the Sawyer Tap Filter has a shelf life of 10+ years.

No.

Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent.

Sawyer filters have very strong fibers (see Fiber Strength Study) and are capable of handling up to 40 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) of pressure.  When clean, Sawyer Filters only need 1 to 2 PSI of pressure to flow freely.  As the fibers collect particulates, the pressure to move water through will increase as the particulates create barriers to water flow.Sawyer pouches are designed to handle up to 7 PSI of pressure before bursting. This in most cases allows for a large amount of water to be used before filter cleaning is necessary. Therefore the pouches will not burst so long as the filters are reasonably clean.  However most people are capable of generating much more than 7 PSI of pressure and so if the filter is not clean, the pouches are more likely to burst when squeezing too hard.  The more particulates in the water the sooner a filter will clog and need to be cleaned.Sawyer’s new light weight soft pouches offer the same bursting strength of 7 PSI as the heavier legacy pouches.  The new light weight pouches are just as strong as the thicker legacy pouches but are easier to squeeze because the softer material offers less resistance.  With a lower pouch resistance the 7 PSI burst limit is reached more easily.To protect your pouch – maintain a clean filter and be aware of pressure build up against a dirty filter.

Yes. For threaded faucets, we highly recommend using the Threaded Spigot Adapter to make sure the filter pops off of the tap before the fibers are damaged from excessive pressure.  Excessive pressure can absolutely damage the fibers.

No.  The silicon bottle is hard to reseal if you loosen the black reducer cap. This is why we recommend only filling through the smaller opening where the Micro Squeeze™ filter attaches. If you take the reducer cap off you will need to get it to seal again before using it. Without a good seal, unfiltered water can leak out and could contaminate your drinking water.

The pointONE Filter™ has a 0.1 micron absolute pore size and therefore will remove all bacteria and protozoa such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cholera and Typhoid. The PointZERO TWO Purifier™ has a 0.02 micron absolute pore size and therefore will remove all viruses like Hepatitis A in addition to bacteria and protozoa.

We offer multiple options depending on your needs and preferences.

The MINI, Micro Squeeze, and Squeeze Filters are our most popular options for camping and hiking.

For group camping, we offer Gravity Filtration options.

The Bottle Filtration Systems are perfect for daily use domestically and internationally.

The Tap Filter is our leading option for home and RV use.

The Select Series was designed for use with highly contaminated water.

It is usually not the pouch causing the leak, it is usually the filter. Either the filter was not completely wetted at first point of use or too much pressure has been applied to pouch during filtration process. Be sure to slowly squeeze the water through the filter, giving the filter fibers time to fully saturate. The initial flow rate may seem slow, but will increase as fibers become wetted.Back Flushing ProcessBack flush your filter (better and more often) using your syringe. You cannot hurt the filter fibers, so please be FORCEFUL in your back flush process. When using the syringe, do not be gentle, it will only form paths of least resistance instead of blowing out the particulates that may be trapped in your filter.Filter ApplicationDo not over tighten the filter on the pouch. Over tightening can cause the o-rings to embed into the threads or lodge into the opening of the pouch. If the o-ring is out of place you may not a have a tight seal and water could leak out the bottom of the filter. Please watch our video on Important Squeeze Filter Tips to better understand how to care for your squeeze bags. Until you learn the perfect balance of force and cleaning, we recommend bringing a backup pouch with you on your trip.Torn PouchesBefore the pouches leave the factory, they are 100% air-tested. While they are rugged, these pouches are not indestructible. They tear as a result of too much pressure being applied. This happens when water is forced through the filter too fast or when your filter needs cleaning, which creates more resistance. Do not squeeze the pouch hard or wring the pouch. Torn pouches are not covered under the warranty.

We recommend routine maintenance to maximize the filter’s flow rate and longevity.  By regularly backwashing the filter with more pressure than when filtering water, you can restore up to 98.5% of the filter’s flow rate.

No, it is not.  We recommend backwashing and air drying the filter before storing.

The flow rates of the filters and purifiers are determined by a combination of variables:

1. Head pressure (The distance from the top of the water to the filter)

2. How clean the filter is

3. The filter itself (there are slight variations between filters)The PointONE Filter with a 1 foot hose (Model SP180) attached to a standard five gallon bucket at sea level is capable of filtering up to 295 gallons (1117 liters) of water per day.

4. If you increase the head pressure by either lengthening the hose, attaching the filter to a larger container like a 55 gallon drum, or constantly keep the bucket full so the top of the water is as high as possible, this will increase the flow rate.

5. Tap Filter: up to 500 Gallons per day

No.

No.  Sawyer Hollow Fibers are much stronger than those used by Katadyn so backwashing a BeFree with a Sawyer backwashing plunger will more than likely damage the fibers.

We recommend backwashing your filter when you flow rate begins to diminish, before prolonged storage, and when you are ready to start using your filter again. Backwashing your filter after storage is a great way to re-wet the filters and restore the flow rate before use.

We recommend backwashing your filter when you flow rate begins to diminish, before prolonged storage, and when you are ready to start using your filter again. Backwashing your filter after storage is a great way to re-wet the filters and restore the flow rate before use.