Can i use river/canal water to wash, shower with?

Question

are there any small scale treatment options avaliable

Answer 1

Why not?  Most likely the soap you use is more caustic then anything in the water.  That's particularly true in (overly) eco-conscious countries like the US.

Try to not let the eco-bigots frighten you into a panic.  Well water should be tested and surface water should be processed for drinking purposes, but that's generally not necessary for washing uses.

The suggestion of a few drops of chlorine bleach is a good one.  Don't use much, or any, for clothes or you'll take out the color and shorten their life.  About two drops per quart is enough for bathing.  That's what was recommended in the army for drinking, I think.

Answer 2

the answerers are right. it greatly depends on what the water of that river or canal. but if the water is clean, it will be better don't wash and bath there because you will just pollute the river or canal.

Answer 3

I might water a lawn with it.

Answer 4

Yes you can but it depends upon the condition of water. If the water is polluted, it is not recommended for washing or bathing.

The treatment option also depends upon the type of pollutants present in the river. If the water is clear, clean but contaminated with human or animal excreta, few drops of chlorine works. If it is turbid due to soil, other visual objects, simple sand filter can treat. If it consists of chemicals, chemical treatment is required....

Answer 5

I think it depends how fussy you are about health and hygiene.  Canal water often doesn't have any real flow so can tend to be rather dirty, river water less so but both are exposed to the activities of animals if not people.  You would almost certainly be fine, but there is a risk, it's just a matter of how much faith you want to put in your immune system and/or your country's health services.  A friend went into marina water for two minutes to free a rope from his boat's propeller, and two weeks later was in hospital with paratyphoid, but he was unlucky.