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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Drinking the Water
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| Holly Spring,Worthington State Forest NJ |
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The water in this part of the Delaware is very clean, but that does not mean it is ready for humans to drink. Intestinal ailments, such as giardiasis can strike days or weeks after drinking "raw" water. Persons with mmune deficiencies or taking immune-suppressant drugs are at even greater risk.
If a wild animal drinks from a water source, that does not mean that the water is safe for humans to drink.
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| Water pump on the AT at Blue Mt. Lakes Rd. NJ |
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Respect the park!
Respect those who follow you!
ϑ To protect others, when backcountry camping, bury all fecal material, including pet waste, at last 8 inches in the ground, and 100 ft. from any water source.
ϑ When camping at river campsites, if there are no latrines at the site, bury all fecal material, including pet waste, at last 8 inches in the ground, and 300 ft. from water.
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Prevention
ϑ On day hikes and short hikes, bring water from home.
ϑ Always assume that surface water must be treated, even if wildlife are drinking it.
ϑ All surface water should be boiled for three minutes, or otherwise treated before it is consumed. (See Fact Sheet below)
ϑ If you become ill after drinking untreated water, let your doctor know.
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Fact Sheets
Safe Drinking Water and Giardia from the National Park Service Public Health Program.
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Did You Know?
... that the Middle Delaware River exceeds ordinary federal standards for clean water. Because of this, special higher standards have been set for the river, so it does not "deteriorate" to being just "clean enough." The river in this park is, and will remain, truly "cleaner than clean."
more...
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Last Updated: April 16, 2008 at 14:12 EST |
