Water by the Barrel: Testing Personal Water Filtration Devices for Purifying Contaminated Water Supplies Diana Tran Advisor: Dr. Wayne Teel April 11, 2008

Facts and Statistics According to the United Nations Human Development Report: The lack of sanitation and safe water is currently the world’s largest cause of illness Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns

Vietnam

The LifeStraw ® vs. The Katadyn ® SpecificationsLifestraw ® Katadyn ® Technology High impact polystyreneVirustat cartridge with pentaiodide (I5) iodine Specially developed halogen-based resin (PDR)Plastic membrane Granular activated carbon (GAC)Activated carbon granulate Efficacy Effective against waterborne bacteriaEliminates bacteria, protozoa, viruses and improves taste Capacity 700 Liters100 Liters Filters 3-stage particle filtration3-phase water filter Size 25 cm long, 2.9 cm in diameter 0.6 Liters Weight kg0.22 kg Cost $2.00$44.95 Cost/Liter $0.003$0.45

The LifeStraw ® – A personal mobile water-purification tool designed to turn any surface water into drinking water – Winner of INDEX: 2005 International Design Award, Well-Tech 2006 Innovation Technology Award, and Best Invention of 2005 by TIME First introduced to me in ISAT 350 by Dr. Chris Bachmann

Testing the LifeStraw ®

Sampled from Blacks Run Located in behind Shenandoah Bicycles in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Alum Treatment KAl(SO 4 ) 2.12H 2 O A compound derived from aluminum used in water purification and wastewater treatment. Safe and does not pose a threat to humans, water creatures, and aquatic plants. On contact with water, it becomes aluminum hydroxide This fluffy substance, a “floc”, settles to the bottom. As the floc moves through the water, it also collects other suspended particles in the water, carrying them down to the bottom.

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Results

Problems

Katadyn ® LifeStraw ® disappointing Only EPA-registered filter 3-phase water filter eliminates bacteria, protozoa, and viruses

Definitely Preferable

Conclusion The Katadyn ® preferable – The LifeStraw ® worked, but plugged too easily How would it measure up in real world situations? Unfortunately, too expensive If possible, I would run samples until I found the exact lifespan

Raising Awareness at JMU UNICEF WEEK 2008: March H 2 O: A Sanitation Issue, March 20 th in Taylor 304

Out of Curiosity… Outer Shell Halogenated Resin Anion Exchange Resin Activated Carbon

Thank You My advisor, Dr. Wayne Teel My parents, Hung and Ngocdiep Tran Vestergaard Frandsen, Inc. Dr. Thomas Benzing and Jacob Hileman Friends and relatives The College of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University

Questions?

References Castle, Fred'A K., and Charles Rice. "Purification of Water With Alum." American Druggist. 12 Mar "Katadyn Filter 0.75 L." Katadyn Mar "Water Facts." WaterPartners International Mar Water for Life Decade United Nations. 12 Mar