The Mechanism Behind LifeStraw

For those in developed nations, global threats often conjure images of covert terrorist groups or conflicts in unstable regions. Rarely do we view the clear glass of water beside us with suspicion.

However, the United Nations reports that contaminated water claims more lives than warfare or violence overall [source: Pflanz]. Additionally, obtaining water itself is a significant challenge for many [source: UN Water]. The 2010 Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) by the World Health Organization and UNICEF revealed that 780 million individuals lack access to improved drinking water sources [source: JMP 2012]. (The JMP describes an improved source as "one that, through technological means, enhances the probability of delivering safe water" [source: JMP 2012].) Compounding the issue, the process of purifying water to ensure its safety for consumption is often both costly and labor-intensive.

The goal is to devise a safe, efficient method for treating the drinking water in the world's most impoverished nations, without imposing a significant financial strain. Vestergaard Frandsen, a Swiss firm, posits that its innovation, LifeStraw, along with a distinctive distribution strategy, could offer a viable solution. On the following pages, we will delve into the workings of LifeStraw and examine alternative approaches to delivering clean water to those in need.

However, it’s crucial to understand that unsafe water poses a significant global challenge. Nearly half of the world’s impoverished population suffers from waterborne diseases, and around 6,000 individuals perish daily from illnesses that clean water access could have averted [source: United Nations]. Diseases like cholera, typhoid, and enteric fever are fatal consequences of consuming contaminated water. Pathogens in water release toxins into the intestines, leading to diarrhea and vomiting. Diarrhea remains the primary cause of global illness and mortality, with 88 percent of these deaths linked to inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene practices, and unsafe water consumption [source: UN Water].

While the issue is complex, the solution might be surprisingly straightforward.

LifeStraw Technology

The LifeStraw is a compact tube measuring approximately 9.25 inches (2 centimeters) in length and 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter [source: Wilhelm]. Its sturdy plastic exterior includes a neck strap for easy carrying. To use it, individuals simply immerse the LifeStraw into a water source and drink through it like a traditional straw.

The initial version of LifeStraw relied on iodine to eliminate bacteria, but the 2012 model eliminates chemicals entirely, opting for mechanical filtration instead. As you draw water through the LifeStraw, it passes through hollow fibers with pores smaller than 0.2 microns, classifying it as a microfiltration system. Dirt, bacteria, and parasites are captured within the fibers, while purified water flows through. After drinking, simply exhale through the straw to clean the filter. The LifeStraw allows you to consume a quart of water in just eight minutes.

According to Vestergaard Frandsen, a single LifeStraw unit can filter approximately 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water, equating to 2.7 liters (0.7 gallons) daily, ensuring it lasts a full year before requiring replacement. There are no replaceable components; users must acquire a new unit annually.

The LifeStraw Family is a larger-scale unit designed to provide clean water for multiple individuals simultaneously. This high-capacity device can serve a family of five for up to three years, filtering around 18,000 liters (4,755 gallons), as stated by the company. It includes a blue bucket with a prefilter, a long plastic tube, and a filter cartridge with a tap for dispensing water. No electricity or batteries are needed, as gravity drives water through the filtration system. Users pour water into the prefilter and bucket at the top, and it flows through the tube into a hollow fiber filter with pores as small as 0.02 microns, making it an ultrafiltration device. (This allows it to remove viruses, unlike the personal version.) Clean water is then dispensed via the tap. The filter can be cleaned by closing the tap and using a red squeeze bulb to expel residue, while the prefilter bucket can be wiped with a cloth. The LifeStraw Family can process 9-12 liters (2.4 to 3.2 gallons) of water per hour [source: Wilhelm].

On the following page, we’ll explore the capabilities and limitations of LifeStraw.

LifeStraw in Action

Both the personal and family versions of LifeStraw effectively remove sediment, bacteria, and parasites from drinking water. The personal filter can trap particles as small as 0.2 microns, which is sufficient to capture tiny bacteria and parasites. Both models boast filters that eliminate 99.9999 percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of parasites found in water. (Only the family version, however, can filter out viruses.) It’s crucial to note that neither model removes heavy chemicals or salt, so using LifeStraw in arsenic-contaminated water won’t yield safe drinking water.

While some praise LifeStraw and similar personal water filters as solutions to the water crisis in developing nations, others argue they are merely stopgap measures. Paul Hetherington, a spokesperson for the British charity WaterAid, highlights the challenge of distance, as some individuals in remote areas must travel up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) round-trip to access water. He also points out that LifeStraw is prohibitively expensive for the average person in these regions if they were to purchase it themselves. (Currently, they do not.) Hetherington advocates for education on hygiene and the creation of sustainable clean water sources within communities as more effective long-term solutions [source: BBC News].

Next, we’ll explore how LifeStraw is being distributed to a broad audience, along with its innovative—and sometimes contentious—distribution strategies.

LifeStraw Distribution

The U.N. aims to halve the number of people lacking access to sustainable water by 2015. While constructing new wells and installing water treatment plants are effective solutions, some experts argue that personal filtration systems are more successful in providing clean water. For instance, research indicates that filtration is the most efficient method to prevent diarrhea. Treating water at the household level has been shown to be over twice as effective in reducing diarrhea compared to treating it at the source [source: UNICEF]. Given this, many humanitarian and disaster relief organizations prioritize point-of-use water treatment technologies. These groups can acquire personal LifeStraw units for approximately $6.50 each and family units for $25. For hikers or campers in the U.S., a personal LifeStraw costs around $20-$25. Prices may vary depending on the time and location of purchase.

However, Vestergaard Frandsen’s innovative distribution strategy, known as the Carbon for Water program, has garnered significant attention. The company is distributing LifeStraw units free of charge to Kenyans: By September 2011, The New York Times reported that over a million LifeStraw Family units had been donated in Kenya that year, with 4.5 million units made available to Kenyans so far [sources: Hoffman, Wilhelm].

The company also benefits economically through a profitable carbon offset initiative. By enabling Kenyans to filter their water instead of boiling it with wood, Vestergaard Frandsen earns carbon credits. These credits are then sold at a profit to companies seeking to offset their pollution or costs, allowing the company to monetize its donations [source: Katayama].

This approach has sparked criticism. Some argue that many recipients of LifeStraws do not boil their water, making the carbon offset irrelevant [source: Starr]. Additionally, Vestergaard Frandsen profits from selling carbon credits while strategically marketing LifeStraws to Kenyan households—units that will eventually require replacement.

Household Water Treatment -- What Are the Options?

LifeStraw stands out as a highly effective filtration product, especially when donated to those in need, making it a cost-efficient solution as well. However, UNICEF highlights several other personal filtration and water sanitation technologies that could also be viable in developing nations.

One traditional method is the use of chlorine. When administered in the correct dosage, it can eliminate 99.99 percent of intestinal pathogens (though it is ineffective against Cryptosporidium and Mycobacterium species) [source: UNICEF]. Another innovative option is ceramic water filters, which operate on a similar principle to LifeStraw. Ceramic naturally contains tiny pores—0.2 microns—capable of filtering out bacteria and protozoa [source: Brown]. These filters are sometimes enhanced with silver to prevent microbial growth, potentially increasing their overall effectiveness. A 2007 U.N. study praised ceramic water filters as one of the "best available options for household water filtration" [source: Brown]. Additionally, solar filters, which heat water sufficiently to kill harmful pathogens, offer another solution. The SODIS (solar water disinfection) method is straightforward: place water in PET plastic or glass bottles and expose them to sunlight for six hours (or up to two days, depending on weather conditions). This process effectively removes viruses, bacteria, and parasites [source: SODIS].

After exploring the advantages of point-of-consumption filters—those used immediately before drinking—you might question whether water sanitation should be addressed at a larger scale. Point-of-source interventions, which decontaminate water at its origin, are also an option. However, studies consistently show that point-of-consumption methods are more effective, both in terms of public health outcomes and cost efficiency [source: UNICEF].

As evident, providing clean water to the world’s most impoverished regions is a complex endeavor—often with a strong emphasis on the "business" aspect. Continue reading for more insights into LifeStraw and other solutions aimed at making water safe for everyone.