Is it okay to filter tea-colored water?

This color of water typically comes from a high concentration of decaying vegetation adjacent to, or in, a water source, resulting in a variety of organic acids. These acids, and the accompanying water conditions, are very hard on ALL types of water filters. Get your water elsewhere if you can.

However, if no alternatives exist, we recommend backflushing/cleaning your filter after every use in the field. This will help minimize the impact of these impurities.

Then, when you return home, add 2 drops of unscented household bleach to one liter of water and backflush this solution through the filter. This will help break up organics that might be clogging the filter and prepare your system for long-term storage.

Note: extended use of tea-colored water can permanently impair Hollow Fiber filter media.