I just take chlorine tablets. Yes, I have eaten a few bugs, chewy little things- maybe added a bit of protein to my diet. As for silt, you need a pre-filter if you are in a lot of silt, otherwise your regular filter becomes quickly plugged up. Some people get stomach upsets from glacial silt - I never have, but I seem to have an iron stomach. I take a coffee filter in my first aid kit, so if I ever get into a situation where I have to drink really cruddy water, I can filter it. I have never had to yet. The big issue with tablets only is that you have to wait minimally 1/2 hour and should weight 4 hours for your water. This requires a lot of planning. I have become used to it so it is not bothersome to me. If you are the type of person who must drink right away, then take the filter.