(HealthDay News) -- If you're planning a trip to a place where the water may not be safe to drink, here are some suggestions from the U.S. government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- The best solution is to bring bottled water if you know you'll be in an area where water may not be pure.
- Boil water for one minute to kill bacteria, parasites and viruses. Boil for three minutes at higher altitudes. The CDC recommends adding a pinch of salt for each quart you boil to make the water taste better.
- Disinfect water with iodine tablets or crystalline iodine (both can be found at sporting goods stores), following manufacturer's suggestions.
- Use a portable water filter -- but you may need to follow up with a chemical disinfectant.
