Water Department

First Need XL
The top portable water purifier for hikers & campers

by General Ecology (322000)

General Ecology's First Need XL is a premium portable water purifier designed for outdoor travel. It features a durable pump with easy grip handle, easily replaceable high-capacity purification cartridge, effective pre-filter assembly, and outlet adaptor that snaps to virtually any water bottle size. Adaptors are also available for Camelbak and Platypus hydration systems.

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Read General Ecology's statement on removal of radioactive particulate in response to the 2011 eathquake in Japan.

NOTE: This is a PURIFIER, not a mere microfilter

Unlike typical water filters & microfilters, General Ecology's unique "Structured Matrix" technology is comprehensively effective in removing all 3 classes of microbiological contaminants:

• Cysts (ie. cryptosporidia, giardia)
• Bacteria (ie. e.coli, fecal coliform)
• Viruses

The First Need XL is also effective in removing a wide range of specific chemical contaminants, including...

• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Industrial solvents
• Chlorine
• Foul tastes and odors

The First Need XL does all this instantly, with no hold time, and no chemical treatment. The First Needs are fully certified to meet the EPA's very rigorous Microbiological Standard for Drinking Water Purifiers.

How it works...
General Ecology's unique "Structured Matrix" utilizes three natural, non-chemical mechanisms to purify your water better than any other technology. The Ultrafine Cartridge microstrains down to 0.1 micron (0.4 absolute) - small enough to remove Giardia, cryptosporidia, and harmful bacteria. A broad-spectrum molecular capture process removes chlorine, foul tastes and odors, along with specific pesticides, herbicides and solvents. Electrochemical separations then remove colloids and other particles even smaller than those removed by ultrafine microstraining.

Due to this combined effectiveness, First Need XL is one of the only compact portable water treatment pump unit certified to meet the EPA Guide Standard for Microbiological Purifiers against bacteria, cysts, and viruses. Click here to view a performance comparison chart.

The First Need XL features:

• Large, comfortable handle
• Reliable, field-serviceable pump
• Sealed Structured Matrix system eliminates contact with contaminants
• Direct Connect to popular trail bottles
• Sanitary cover
• Long non-kink intake hose
• Integrated, adjustable float
• Self-cleaning prefilter eliminates backflushing prefilter

First Need XL Awarded
"Gear of the Year" by
Outside 2002
Buyer's Guide!

Adapts to virtually all bottles so pumping clean water never becomes a balancing act