Tannic Water

I want to do some backpacking in Florida, but I know that the water in the Everglades and most streams is high in tannins. Is it safe to drink after filtration or purification pills?

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Question:

I want to do some backpacking in Florida, but I know the water in the Everglades and most streams is high in tannins. Is the water safe to drink after filtering it or using purification pills?

Submitted by – Clyde, Florida

Answer:

I have never heard of any known risks to human health from drinking water with tannins, which results from water passing through organic matter. But, yes, it is important to disinfect the water thoroughly to kill pathogens. —Buck