Originally Posted by bakerjw

If I get water from a place of business, I usually buy a few things from them. But that's usually a few hours into a long ride so I can use something.

Out in the wilderness though, I often use a Sawyer filter with caveats. Unless it is a matter of life or death...
- I don't filter water downstream from human habitation. Filters will not block viruses.
- I don't filter water downstream from mining operations. Many heavy metals leech out of rocks when exposed.
- I don't filter in heavy sediment areas such as below a glacier. It will clog a filter quickly.

I also take aquamira tablets along just in case.
Being way out in remote areas is not a place to get dysentery or similar.