Lifestraw

It is sometimes the case that a truly simple invention can change the world (The bicycle, the compass, the telegraph). The Lifestraw may be such an idea. The Lifestraw designed by Danish innovator Torben Vestergaard Frandsen is straw shaped personal water purification device that allows a person to drink directly from a contaminated water source. The straw design is incredibly simple: -

• The straw is made of high impact polystyrene and has a cord to be hung around the neck.
• When water is sucked through the straw it passes through two meshes (100 micron then 15 micron) this removes particles and even clusters of bacteria.
• The water then pases through iodine impregnated beads.
• The water passes into an empty chamber where the iodine can continue to kill bacteria.
• Finally the water passes through a charcoal filter removing any remaining particles as well as the iodine taste.

A diagram of the Lifestraw can be found here.

The straw costs between £3-4 and is capable of filtering enough water for 1 person for a year. Here is a picture: -



Surprisingly WaterAid have been critical of the device. Their points are as follows: -

• Lifestraw will not save people the long journeys that are often required to gather water in third world countries.
• Lifestraw will not provide solutions to sanitation or irrigation.
• For £15 water aid can supply a person with clean water for life.

I agree with all of these points, Lifestraw is not the final solution to the third world's water problems. But it can still save millions of lives. Half the people in the developing world are sick with a water borne disease which kill over 6000 people every day. I believe that in refugee camps, natural disasters and villages where NGO's such as WaterAid, Oxfam, and Practical Action have yet to complete water projects the Lifestraw can bring immediate relief from water borne diseases. Find out more here.