There are lot’s of different products for water filtration or purification when in the backcountry. Not sure there is one better technique than the other. However, the consensus is: you better filter your water.

This YouTube User puts an excellent video together on some products and how they get used.

The various items I use for filtering and purifying water when backpacking. Covers pre-filtering, microfilter hand pumps like the MSR Miniworks, purification tablets, and UV (ultraviolet) sterilization with the Steripen Classic and Steripen Adventurer

There are more products that do the same thing. Do some research to find which method works for best for you.