Water is not an optional consideration in the field. It is a hard limit. You can push through hunger, fatigue, and discomfort, but dehydration and waterborne illness will end a mission faster than almost any other factor. Yet most water treatment solutions on the market are designed for hikers spending a weekend in a national park — not for professionals who need a reliable, sustainable method that works in any environment, under any conditions, without relying on consumable supplies that can run out.
CANA Provisions is built around a different premise. Founded in Gurley, Alabama by a family with a background in water safety and chlorine chemistry, CANA Provisions makes tools for people who take water seriously. Their flagship product, the H2gO Global by Aqua Research, uses electrolysis to generate sodium hypochlorite on demand from nothing more than water and salt. No filters to replace, no tablets to carry, no resupply chain to depend on. The disinfection solution is generated in the moment, from inputs that are available almost anywhere in the world.
Gear Town is now the official European distributor of CANA Provisions. The full range ships from within Europe, with no import duties and no delays. This article covers who CANA Provisions is, how their technology works, and what is available through Gear Town today.
Why Water Is a Tactical Problem
Clean drinking water is one of the most frequently overlooked elements of operational planning. In a European training environment or a well-resourced deployment, it rarely becomes a crisis. But in austere environments, extended field operations, or emergency situations, water access and water safety quickly become primary concerns.
The standard solutions each come with their own limitations. Iodine tablets are simple to carry but affect taste, have a limited shelf life, and are ineffective against Cryptosporidium without long contact times and temperature adjustments. Filtration systems are effective but rely on physical components that can clog, crack, or fail in freezing temperatures. UV purifiers need batteries and a clear water source to work effectively. Pre-treated bottled water runs out.
Chlorine disinfection has been the gold standard in municipal water treatment for over a century. When applied at the correct dosage, it is highly effective against viruses, bacteria, and — with repeated doses and adequate contact time — protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The challenge has always been portability. Carrying liquid bleach in the field is impractical. Carrying pre-made sodium hypochlorite at scale is logistically complex.
The H2gO Global solves this problem by generating fresh sodium hypochlorite directly in the field, on demand, from inputs that weigh almost nothing and are available everywhere.
The H2gO Global: How It Works
The H2gO Global is a pocket-sized electrolytic chlorine generator designed by Rodney Herrington, an expert in chlorine use for water treatment in the developing world. The device generates sodium hypochlorite through electrolysis: a low-voltage current is passed through a saline solution, splitting the salt molecules and producing free chlorine in a form that is immediately effective as a water disinfectant.
The process requires only two inputs: water and salt. Any form of salt works. Any water source can be used, regardless of how contaminated it looks, because the device generates the disinfectant separately and you then add the correct dose to your drinking water. Volume settings on the device cover 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 litres, and the dosing is calibrated to the CDC Safe Water System standard of 2.5 mg/L free available chlorine.
A single USB-C charge gives you the capacity to treat 300 litres of water. The lifetime capacity of the device is 124,000 litres, which is equivalent to 32,000 US gallons. The back of the unit also features an integrated solar charging panel for use in environments where USB charging is unavailable. The H2gO Global is WHO-certified for basic household water treatment, and it meets the standard for virus and bacteria reduction with a single dose. Protozoa require multiple doses with appropriate contact time, as is the case with all chlorine-based treatment methods.
In practical terms, this means you carry a device the size of a large USB power bank, a small bag of salt, and a container for the saline solution. With those three things, you can produce safe drinking water from any water source indefinitely, for as long as the device functions. There are no parts to replace, no consumables to stockpile, and no skill requirement beyond following the printed instructions on the device or on the accompanying Water Data Card.
The CANA Provisions Range at Gear Town
Gear Town carries the full CANA Provisions catalogue, including the H2gO system in both standard and deluxe configurations, the Water Data product line, and the AMC Minor Incident Field Kit.
H2gO Global USB-C Deluxe Kit
The Deluxe Kit is the recommended starting point for anyone new to the H2gO system. It includes the H2gO Global generator, chlorine test strips for verifying treatment effectiveness, an enhanced leak-proof brine bottle, a salt solution bottle, a waterproof quick-start guide, and a full instruction manual. Everything you need to begin treating water in the field is included. The kit is organised for rapid deployment and requires no prior experience with electrolytic disinfection.
The chlorine test strips are a particularly important inclusion. While the H2gO Global generates a calibrated dose by default, field conditions such as high turbidity, low temperature, or unusual water chemistry can affect treatment efficacy. The test strips let you confirm that free available chlorine is present in your treated water at the correct concentration before drinking.
H2gO Global USB-C Standard
The standard configuration includes the H2gO Global generator only. This is the right choice for operators who are already familiar with the system and want to add a second unit to their kit, or for organisations equipping multiple individuals who will share a common supply of accessories. The standard unit is identical to the one included in the Deluxe Kit and carries the same specifications and lifetime capacity.
Water Data Products
The Water Data product line is what sets CANA Provisions apart from a simple product company. The underlying premise is straightforward: field water treatment is only as effective as the knowledge and reference materials available to the person performing it. Under stress, at night, or after days in the field, people make mistakes. The Water Data products put the relevant information permanently on the tools you already carry.
CANA Provisions x Qore Performance Water Data ICEFLASK
This is a collaboration between CANA Provisions and Qore Performance, combining the ICEFLASK platform with a full 360 degree Water Data wrap printed directly on the bottle. The ICEFLASK is a 16.9 oz / 500 ml BPA-free HDPE bottle engineered to fit NATO PRC-152 radio pouches, and it delivers 23 watts of conductive cooling or 17 watts of conductive heating when worn against the body. The threads are compatible with Platypus Quickdraw and Sawyer filters, making this a genuinely multi-role hydration tool.
The Water Data print covers treatment options, sterilisation instructions, a freeze line, a common conversions table, and general warnings. It is printed in a format that is legible under night vision (NVGs). If you already run an ICEFLASK in your kit, this version simply adds mission-critical information to a piece of equipment you already carry.
Water Data Card
The Water Data Card is a 4 inch by 6 inch reference card printed on 30mil polymer. It is fully waterproof, flame-resistant, and scratch-resistant. It can be written on with a permanent marker and wiped clean with an alcohol swab. A corner punch allows it to be attached to a lanyard or ring.
The card covers multiple water treatment methods, wait time reminders including cold weather adjustments, sterilisation instructions for contaminated containers, a common conversion table covering drops to gallons, and general safe water practices. It is the most compact way to carry a complete water treatment reference, and it is designed to stay legible after extended field use.
Water Data Decals
The decal range takes the Water Data Card information and applies it permanently to the containers you already use in the field. CANA Provisions produces decals sized for the Qore Performance ICEFLASK, standard 32oz wide mouth Nalgene bottles, and 20 litre jerry cans. All decals are printed with a matte, UV-resistant finish and use an ultra high-tac adhesive rated for freeze and thaw cycles. They are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and legible under night vision.
The 20L jerry can decal is a particularly practical product for vehicle-based operations or base camp use, where bulk water storage is standard. Having the full treatment protocol printed directly on the container eliminates the need to locate reference materials at the moment they are needed most.
Water Data Nalgenes
CANA Provisions produces two versions of the Water Data Nalgene. The standard version is a 32oz wide mouth Nalgene in Smoke Grey with a full 360 degree Water Data wrap printed on the exterior. It is made from BPA and BPS-free Tritan, is dishwasher safe, and is manufactured in the USA.
The second version is a collaboration with DARC: the DARC x CANA Provisions Water Data 32oz Nalgene. This is the same 946ml wide mouth bottle with the Water Data Card content printed across the full exterior. The wide mouth is compatible with Steripen UV filters, which makes this a genuinely useful combination for users who want a redundant treatment option alongside the H2gO system.
AMC Minor Incident Field Kit (MIFK)
The AMC Minor Incident Field Kit is a product from Austere Medicine Consultants, carried through CANA Provisions. It was developed with input from Special Forces 18Ds and Ranger Medics, and it is designed to address exactly what its name suggests: minor incidents. Superficial wounds that do not require a full IFAK response but still need proper management to stay in the fight and prevent infection.
The MIFK contains hospital-grade supplies including sterile transparent film dressing, sterile gauze sponges, non-adherent pads, heavy duty bandages, waterproof bandages, silk tape, and splinter lancets. It is compact enough to add to any existing load-out, carry in a day bag, or pack in a carry-on. The philosophy is the same as the H2gO system: address a real need with a practical, professional-grade solution that does not add unnecessary bulk to your kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chlorine treatment safe for drinking water?
Yes. Chlorine has been used for municipal drinking water treatment for over a century and is the standard method recommended by the WHO and CDC for emergency water treatment. At the correct dosage, sodium hypochlorite effectively eliminates bacteria and viruses and, with multiple doses and adequate contact time, protozoa. The treated water is safe to drink and tastes similar to chlorinated tap water.
Does the H2gO Global work with any type of salt?
Yes. Any form of salt works, including sea salt, table salt, rock salt, or any other common sodium chloride source. The device does not require specialised inputs. Salt is one of the most widely available commodities in the world, which is part of what makes this system viable in austere or remote environments.
How long does it take to treat water with the H2gO Global?
The device generates the disinfectant solution in a few minutes. Once you add the sodium hypochlorite to your water, the contact time required before drinking depends on water temperature and turbidity. At room temperature with clear water, 30 minutes is sufficient for bacteria and viruses. Cold or turbid water requires a longer contact time and potentially a second dose. Full instructions and timing guidance are printed on the device itself and on the Water Data Card.
Can it treat water for a full team?
The H2gO Global has volume settings for up to 20 litres per dose cycle. For larger quantities, you simply run multiple cycles. A single charge treats 300 litres, making it suitable for small teams over extended periods. Organisations equipping teams should consider the H2gO Global as a per-person or per-element capability rather than a single centralised asset.
What is the difference between the Standard and the Deluxe Kit?
The Standard configuration is the H2gO Global generator only. The Deluxe Kit adds chlorine test strips, an enhanced leak-proof brine bottle, a salt solution bottle, a waterproof quick-start guide, and a full instruction manual. For first-time users, the Deluxe Kit is the better choice. For experienced users or unit procurement, the Standard allows you to equip additional personnel without duplicating accessories you already have.
Does it work in cold weather?
The H2gO Global functions in cold environments, but cold water requires a longer contact time for the chlorine to be effective. The Water Data Card and the device's waterproof quick-start guide both include cold weather adjustments. The ICEFLASK and Nalgene products are rated for freeze and thaw cycles. Planning for cold weather use primarily means accounting for extended treatment times, not additional equipment.
Is CANA Provisions gear approved for military or law enforcement use?
The H2gO Global is WHO-certified for basic household water treatment. It is used by military, law enforcement, and emergency response professionals in the United States and internationally. Gear Town carries the civilian-available range. Units or organisations with procurement requirements should contact us directly to discuss quantity and documentation requirements.
Why does Gear Town carry CANA Provisions?
We carry what professionals actually use. CANA Provisions identified a genuine capability gap — portable, sustainable field water disinfection without consumable dependencies — and built a well-engineered solution for it. The Water Data product line reflects a level of operational thinking that goes beyond the product itself. European operators have had no local source for this gear. We changed that.
CANA Provisions is available now through Gear Town. All orders ship from within Europe. The full range is listed in the CANA Provisions collection, with product pages covering full specifications, sizing, and compatibility information for each item.
