{"id":6440,"date":"2012-01-09T02:00:51","date_gmt":"2012-01-09T10:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blitransfer.wpengine.com\/?p=6440"},"modified":"2017-06-21T14:20:44","modified_gmt":"2017-06-21T19:20:44","slug":"lifestraw-an-easy-to-use-personal-water-filter-that-saves-lives-for-only-five-dollars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluelivingideas.com\/2012\/01\/09\/lifestraw-an-easy-to-use-personal-water-filter-that-saves-lives-for-only-five-dollars\/","title":{"rendered":"LifeStraw, an Easy-to-Use, Personal Water Filter That Saves Lives for Only $5"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>More than one billion people in the world have no access to clean water. 3.5 million die each year from waterborne disease and most are under the age of five years old. The LifeStraw<\/a>, an easy-to-use, personal water filter, has already given millions of people access to clean drinking. Vestergaard-Frandsen has improved their LifeStraw so that it’s now even more effective.<\/p>\n

LifeStraw Specifications<\/h3>\n

LifeStraw comes in two sizes: personal and family. The personal size filters a thousand liters of water before it needs to be replaced. The family size filters 18000 liters, providing a family of five with enough water for three years.<\/p>\n

Each size removes a minimum of 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and particles down to 0.2 microns. The water is then clean to U.S. EPA standards.<\/p>\n

The LifeStraw has no batteries or replacement parts and does not need electrical power. It’s completely self-contained and purification is done through purely mechanical means with no chemicals.<\/p>\n

How to Use LifeStraw<\/h3>\n

LifeStraw is very easy to use. Complete instructions can be found on the web site and in the brochure that comes with the LifeStraw, but the design is pretty intuitive.<\/p>\n

It basically looks like a tube with a cap at either end. Open the caps, put the LifeStraw in the water, and drink.<\/p>\n

Vestergaard-Frandsen sent me a LifeStraw to try out and when the package arrived, my daughter saw the word \u201cstraw\u201d and grabbed it for her own use. When I caught up to her (she moves fast), she had already fixed a glass of water and was using the LifeStraw correctly.<\/p>\n

I relate this anecdote because any personal filter is going to have to be very simple to use in order to reach the most vulnerable populations \u2013 children who are drinking from untreated sources.<\/p>\n

This video shows LifeStraw demonstrated to aid workers in Haiti. Read on after the video for information on projects and how to donate or buy your own LifeStraw.<\/p>\n