34 replies to this topic

[Ansem]

jasserEnv, on 26 November 2011 - 09:58 AM, said:

The whole idea of buying one assumes that the people who have them can access and afford them. A year following a natural disaster, is anyone going to be around to collect them? Is anyone going to be around to sell replacements? If not, I could easily see them continuing to be used by someone who still doesn't have access to clean water. This is where my worries reside in relation to such temporary devices.

So you're basically saying, good concept but shouldn't be relied on as main solution, instead as temporary replacement ?

[omkar1991]

Bear Grylls in Man vs Wild on Discovery Channel could really do with this, after seeing the kind of water he so nonchalantly gulps down.
On a serious note, it seems like a good idea, but it still is kind of disturbing to watch. Hope this technology goes ahead and becomes widespread.

[GreenQueen]

This is amazing. I'm on the phone with my boyfriend now. He is saying that I am
so stupid but I think otherwise. I would try this. If it does prove to be something
that is totally marketable then this would help out a lot of people.

[Belligerent]

This is very inspiring.. I love the picture, even though personally looking at that water- there is a big ick factor. If it truly works, then this product is absolutely amazing and it makes me so happy that someone out there invented it.

[Pushhyarag2000]

Though it sounds & feels pretty horrible to imagine drinking off of a dirty cesspool, considering the fact that there really are places on this planet where people actually drink pretty unsafe water simply because of lack of access. With millions of dollars funding through world bank and other bilateral & multilateral agencies flowing for programs but returning in the hands of the donors through private corporates, I wonder even if a fraction of that money is earmarked for bona fide distribution of the straw to the extreme affected communities, it would be a noble deed.

[Sandra Piddock]

I'd have a problem with it, but then I'm used to drinking clean water. I would think people who are forced to drink filthy water would view it as a major improvement. It seems to be pretty user friendly as well, which is important with something like that.

[joeldgreat]

As any other filters, they get all the dirts and eventually will reach its usefull life. When will be the filters replaced and what would be the cost. Will the poorest of the poor will be able to buy it or sustain its maintenance. If the price would be cheap, then I too would diffinetely agree with its mass production. If not, then government should subsidized such very good invention so that everyone could afford to have one.

[katniss]

Interesting product. It looks like they are trying to support Third World health with inexpensive and easy to use techniques like the water filters and bug nets, more power to them on that.

But please correct me if you think I'm mistaken, iodine based chemical disinfection coupled with 15micron filtration works fine for bacteria and viruses, but protozoan spores are going to escape both the filtration and chemical disinfection is my guess.

[4leafclover]

Wow, I do hope this is really effective and would last that long. I felt lucky to reside in a place where there is a potable water source. I can't imagine myself drinking that kind of water even with the use of this product. If this is the case, the government should continually research on the upgrading of the product, and of course this should remain free for people with no potable water source or should be at a very low cost.

[steph84]

This is a pretty good idea. I just hope that the people stop drinking dirty water once the filter goes bad. I don't know how that little girl is sipping from that dirty water. It just doesn't look appealing. I still can't believe that people don't have access to safe drinking water in this day and age.

[Solar Security]

This is a fantastic invention. I think this is a great product for humanitarian aid victims where there has been a flood, but I can't see it being cost effective for places such as africa. Money would be better spent on digging wells and fitting pumps to many of its huge underground reservoirs.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

Wow! What an amazing idea!  Think how much that little gadget will improve the lives of people in poorer areas.

The photo does turn my stomach though.  It reminds me of how much I take clean water for granted.  What a luxury it is to run the water faucet and letting it pour into the sink until it is the right temperature.  I don't always appreciate these simple things that come with life in America.

[aphil]

This is the first I heard of this. I would love to know how it works inside, filter wise. I am for all these efforts to allow peolple the gift of drinking water and not getting sick and dying.  I just can't imagine not having access to clean water and my heart goes out to those who don't. Making water clean and affordable is a great thing. I just want to study these efforts because it is projected that water will soon be a rare commodity and I want to be knowledgeable and prepared.

[butlera555]

Mon-Jes, on 15 October 2011 - 07:20 AM, said:

On one hand, good idea, hope it works. On the other... eeeuuuuugghhhh..... Sorry, the mental image.... I do hope it works, though, because that will free up a lot of water for use.

I agree, it is a good idea. It will be good for countries that don't have clean drinking water. The thought of drinking dirty water would still bother me even when using something like this though.