RP359 Water for Everyone

RP359 Water for Everyone
Humans need clean drinking water to survive. When our water supply is contaminated or we drink from unsafe sources, we risk illness. Components in unclean water such as bacteria and parasites can have a variety of harmful effects. Waterborne diseases threaten the lives of millions of people every year. Even those who survive such illness can be left with serious medical conditions and financial burden.
Some communities use water filtration and treatment systems to purify water before distributing it to the public. Some people boil water before consuming it to kill any pathogens that it might contain. Others rely on purchasing bottled water that has already been treated. However, still others, especially in developing countries, have no reliable access to safe drinking water.
A Swiss company, Vestergaard Frandsen, decided to develop a water filter that could help these people. In 2005, they came out with a product called LifeStraw. It is a straw-like tube with special fibers to physically filter water. ac filters more than 99 percent of bacteria and parasites from the water that passes through it. LifeStraw is powered by suction and requires no electricity or pumping. Because LifeStraw uses chemicals and has no moving parts, it is both safe and durable.
One straw can provide one person with one year's worth of clean drinking water. Cleaning the filter after each use is easy and can even increase its use. All you have to do is blow air through the mouthpiece. Any water that is still inside will flush back out the bottom. After a LifeStraw has filtered 1,000 liters of water, the filter stops letting water through. This prevents people from unknowingly consuming contaminated water.
LifeStraws have also been used for emergency response and humanitarian aid. Every year, natural disasters unexpectedly disrupt communities worldwide. Hurricanes and floods contaminate water supplies, while earthquakes and tornadoes cause significant structural damage. Communities affected by such disasters can be left without safe water access for months or more. This leads to problems with not only personal health, but also disease outbreaks. Regardless of circumstance, a LifeStraw can provide anyone anywhere with the ability to drink clean water.