I'm in the same boat concerning the Steripen and my available water sources. I had considered the Steripen and then found out the water had to be clear to use it. OOOPS.... Frequently, the water I have available is not much short of stagnet, swamp water. This sucks and has me still searching for some way of getting around carrying 6 liters of water from the trailhead and refilling at antique hand pumps at a campsite 14 miles away. I just accept reality for now but would love to lighten the load without giving up half decent water.