How Puribag Works: Clean Water in 30 Minutes, Anywhere
When clean water is scarce, your options are usually limited to boiling, filtering, or chemically treating water. But what if you had a compact, backpack-ready system that could do all three in one simple process — no stove, no filter, no power needed?
Meet the Puribag — a portable water purification system that uses P&G Purifier of Water sachets to transform dirty, bacteria-filled water into something safe to drink in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re preparing for emergencies, traveling to places with questionable water, or building out a comprehensive bug-out bag, understanding how Puribag works can give you a serious edge in water security.
What Is the Puribag?
The Puribag is a 10-liter water purification system developed by packH2O and supported by global partners like P&G. It was designed to serve families in crisis zones, but it’s become an important tool for preppers, humanitarian workers, and outdoor survivalists.
At first glance, it looks like a simple flexible water bag with a spigot. But inside is where the magic happens — a clever mix of gravity, settling chambers, and a specially designed filter sock that allows P&G Purifier of Water sachets to work at peak efficiency.
The Science Behind P&G Purifier of Water Sachets
Each sachet contains a powerful mix of flocculant and disinfectant powders. These were developed by Procter & Gamble in partnership with the CDC and are designed to mimic a municipal water treatment plant — in the palm of your hand.
1. Flocculation
The flocculant causes particles like dirt, debris, heavy metals, and even parasites to bind together into larger clumps (called “flocs”). Think of this like magnets pulling gunk together.
2. Sedimentation
Once clumped, these heavy flocs naturally settle at the bottom of the Puribag, thanks to gravity. That’s where the clever bag design comes in — the base of the Puribag is engineered to collect the sediment in a low spot so it stays separated from the clean water at the top.
3. Disinfection
Meanwhile, the disinfectant (chlorine-based) gets to work killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. The dosage is balanced to make the water safe to drink without being harsh or foul-tasting.
In 30 minutes, you’ve got potable water that meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Why the Bag Design Matters
You could technically use P&G water purification sachets in a bucket or a bottle — and people do — but the Puribag is built to make the process safer, more consistent, and easier in the field.
Here’s what makes it special:
- Inverted cone shape: This helps guide flocculated contaminants to the bottom where they won’t mix back into the clean water.
- Filter sock at the spigot: It adds one more level of filtration, catching any remaining debris or clumps.
- Sealable top: Once the sachet is mixed in, you close the top and gently agitate the bag. This protects the water from outside contamination while it settles.
- Clear measurement lines: To get the chemical ratio right, you need to add exactly 10 liters. The bag makes that simple.
- Spigot near the top: After settling, the cleanest water sits above the sediment. The Puribag’s spout draws from this clean zone — not the sludge layer at the bottom.
How to Use the Puribag in the Field
- Fill with 10 liters of the dirtiest water you can find — swamp, river, puddle. Doesn’t matter.
- Add one P&G sachet and seal the top of the bag.
- Shake gently for 5 minutes to start flocculation.
- Let sit undisturbed for 25 minutes as sediment settles and disinfectant kicks in.
- Dispense clean water from the spigot. Avoid tipping or disturbing the bag once it settles.
What Can It Remove?
Thanks to the dual chemical treatment, a single Puribag cycle can eliminate:
- 99.999% of bacteria (like E. coli)
- 99.99% of viruses (like rotavirus)
- 99.9% of protozoa (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium)
- Dirt, heavy metals, and some pesticides
It’s effective against nearly everything you’d want to avoid in disaster zones or questionable water sources. And unlike some other filters, it works even when the water is heavily turbid — like that brown stuff you’d never want to even step in, let alone drink.
Who Is the Puribag For?
The Puribag is one of the most versatile water purification systems available. It’s a great fit for:
- Emergency kits and bug-out bags (weighs just over 1 lb empty)
- Off-grid homesteads
- Travelers and backpackers in regions with poor sanitation
- Disaster relief workers and humanitarian missions
- Urban survivalists preparing for infrastructure collapse
Because it doesn’t rely on batteries, pressure, or high-tech components, it’s one of the most reliable tools you can carry when you really need clean water.
Real-World Use Cases
- Flood zones: When tap water is contaminated and bottled water is sold out, a Puribag and a few sachets can sustain a family for days.
- Developing countries: NGOs distribute these in areas with chronic waterborne illness issues.
- Hurricane kits: A great backup when municipal water supplies get knocked out after a storm.
Why Outlast Supply Carries the Puribag
At Outlast Supply, we only carry gear we trust with our own lives. The Puribag earned a spot in our lineup because it solves multiple water problems in one simple solution — it filters, settles, and disinfects, without the bulk of traditional water purifiers.
We recommend pairing it with extra P&G sachets, and storing it in your emergency kit with backup water options (like SOS water pouches or a Sawyer Mini). Redundancy is key when it comes to hydration.
Why Does Puribag Offer an Inline Filter Too?
If the P&G Purifier of Water sachets kill bacteria and viruses, you might be wondering:
Why does Puribag also sell an inline hollow fiber membrane filter?
It’s a great question — and the answer comes down to redundancy, flexibility, and taste.
✅ Backup Protection from User Error
The sachets are incredibly effective when used correctly. But in an emergency, it’s easy to:
- Add the wrong amount of water
- Skip the full 30-minute wait time
- Accidentally stir up sediment
The inline filter provides a second line of defense, especially in situations where you might not follow the directions perfectly — or when handing the bag off to someone else.
Better Taste and Clarity
Even though the flocculant in the sachet settles most of the visible gunk, a hollow fiber filter improves clarity and taste by catching leftover sediment or particulates. Some people also prefer the taste of filtered water over chlorinated water, even when both are safe to drink.
More Ways to Use the Bag
The Puribag can also be used without sachets, simply as a gravity bag with a physical filter attached. That’s helpful when:
- You’ve run out of sachets
- The water looks clear and low-risk (like mountain stream water)
- You’re using it for convenience, not emergency-level purification
By offering an inline filter, Puribag becomes a more versatile tool — whether you’re disinfecting swamp water in a disaster or just getting clean drinking water at camp.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a chemist to understand why the Puribag works — but once you do understand the science behind it, you’ll appreciate how elegant this system really is. Check out their full product line here.
It takes a little patience (30 minutes total), but the payoff is water you can trust — even in the most extreme situations.
