How to Use Potable Aqua Water Purification Pills to Pass a Drug Test
I’ll discuss two methods people use with Potable Aqua to try passing a drug test. Let’s start with the first method, where people add it directly to their urine.
While there was some scientific backing for this technique, it is no longer effective. I will explain why shortly.
The second method involves drinking water treated with Potable Aqua tablets.
This approach emerged around 13 years ago, sparked by a video of individuals endorsing it as a way to cleanse the body before a drug test.
Although it gained some popularity online through anecdotal claims of effectiveness, it’s important to understand that this method is unsafe and not supported by scientific evidence. I advise against using it.
Now, I will outline how each method was believed to work, why it might have seemed effective for some, and the potential harms involved.
Table of Contents
What is potable aqua
Potable Aqua is a well-known brand of water purification tablets, similar to Coleman and other brands that offer comparable products.
These tablets are primarily designed to disinfect water in emergency situations where the only available water might be contaminated.
They are popular among campers, hikers, and military personnel who may need to purify water from unreliable sources.
You can find these tablets in most outdoor supply stores and on Amazon.
Despite some claims, it’s crucial to clarify that these tablets cannot cleanse urine of drug metabolites, a notion that is quite ridiculous.
Ingredients
It’s worth noting that while Potable Aqua is the most recognized, there are various brands of water purification tablets on the market, for example Coleman Water Purifier Potable Aqua Tablets.
The active ingredients typically found in these tablets include:
- Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide
- Chlorine (Sodium Chlorite)
- Iodine
These components are effective for making water safe to drink by eliminating harmful bacteria, but they do not affect drug metabolites in urine.
Method 1 – Drinking water with Potable Aqua tablets
What you need:
- 2 Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
- 2 P.A. Plus neutralizing tablets (from the same pack of Potable Aqua tablets)
- 2 quarts of water
What to do:
- First, add 2 tablets of Potable Aqua to 1 quart of water.
- Wait for 5 minutes, then shake the container and tighten the cap.
- After waiting 30 minutes, add 2 tablets of P.A. Plus to the same bottle.
- Shake the container well and wait another 3 minutes.
- Now, you can drink it within 2 hours.
Why this method worked for some people
Many believe that just as Potable Aqua tablets purify dirty water, they might also break down THC metabolites in the bladder, supposedly ‘cleaning’ the urine.
However, this isn’t accurate. Using this method to pass a urine analysis (UA) doesn’t involve the tablets breaking down metabolites.
Instead, it involves drinking a lot of water and urinating multiple times. This is essentially a flushing method.
By drinking large amounts of water, you urinate more frequently, which flushes out the drug metabolites.
As a result, the concentration of these metabolites temporarily drops below the test’s cutoff level, allowing you to pass the drug test.
The Potable Aqua tablets don’t contribute to this process, other than adding an iodine taste to the water.
There’s no convincing scientific evidence that the tablets break down the metabolites or maintain the urine within acceptable test ranges.
What’s wrong with this method
This method might seem to work even without adding Potable Aqua to your water. Drinking a lot of water is a known method to pass a drug test. However, it simply dilutes the urine.
During the test, the lab checks for creatinine levels, pH, specific gravity, and other key urine parameters. Drinking too much water also flushes out essential minerals from the urine, altering these parameters.
This change is detected during the validity check, leading your urine to be considered diluted. You might then have to retest.
To avoid this, you need to consume B vitamins, creatinine, and electrolytes to restore the urine parameters.
I’ve explained more about this in another article: How to Pass a Drug Test: Effective Methods in 2024
Method 2 – Adding Potable Aqua pills into the urine
- Add 2 Potable Aqua pills to the sample cup.
- Urinate into it.
- Wait a few minutes for the pills to dissolve completely.
- Give the sample to the lab technician for testing.
Does it work?
The idea behind this method is that it could create a false negative result.
Studies, like one from the National Institutes of Health, show that chlorine can break down THC-COOH metabolites in environmental waters.
Another study found that iodine, a strong oxidizing agent, can mask drug metabolites. This makes it appealing to some.
However, it’s no longer effective. Many testing sites and labs now use rapid tests that detect adulterants in urine, including iodine.
Additionally, the time it takes for the pills to dissolve and the chemical reaction can alter the urine’s temperature.
If the temperature is not within the 90-100°F range, you’ll be asked to provide another sample under close watch.
The main problem, though, is the detection of iodine as an adulterant.
Conclusion
While these methods aim to mask drug metabolites in the urine, they are not reliable. Simply drinking water, even when treated with Potable Aqua pills, does not actually require the pills and will dilute your urine. As a result, you’ll likely need to retest.
Adding Potable Aqua pills directly into the urine sample will be detected during the adulterants check. This means you’ll have to submit another sample, this time under direct observation.
Therefore, I advise against using these methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Potable Aqua take to work?
The effectiveness of Potable Aqua in neutralizing harmful microorganisms in water can be influenced by factors like the temperature of the water and how contaminated it is. However, the instructions recommend waiting for 30 minutes after treating the water with Potable Aqua tablets before it's safe to drink.
Can I drink water before a urine test?
Yes, you're allowed to eat and drink as you normally would before a urine test. But, try not to drink too much water right before the test because it could dilute your urine, potentially affecting the test results. It's also wise to steer clear of foods that could alter the color of your urine, such as beets or blackberries.
Is Potable Aqua safe?
Potable Aqua should not come into contact with your skin or be ingested in its tablet form as it can be harmful. When handling, it's important to use protective gear such as goggles or safety glasses, protective clothing, and rubber gloves. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after use.
What is Potable Aqua used for?
Potable Aqua is designed for the emergency purification of water, making it safe to drink. It's a trusted choice among hikers, campers, and military units globally for rendering water bacteriologically safe for consumption.
How many potable aqua tablets per liter?
To purify water with PA Plus, you'll need to use 2 tablets for each quart or liter of water. After adding the tablets, make sure to shake the container well. You only need to wait 3 minutes before the water is safe to drink, and the tablets don't need to dissolve completely to be effective.
