What Is AquaSafeStraw Personal Filtration?

What is AquaSafeStraw? -Well- it's peace of mind - happy, healthy holidays - freedom from worry - it's drinking from a free, running stream without a care in the world - it's enjoying a clean, uncluttered environment - Oh! and it's a water filter straw as well.

When you travel overseas, particularly to developing countries, take to the woods camping or hiking, or if your home town water treatment plant is under performing or  there is a natural disaster, a portable AquaSafeStraw water filter straw each will ensure you and your family stay healthy even though you drink the water.

AquaSafeStraw is a high tech, tested and approved water purification system that removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria including Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, and Fecal Coliforms, plus parasitic contamination by Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. It provides you and your family with the confidence of knowing you can have safe drinking water anywhere around the world from tap water, ice in drinks, lakes, and streams, on aircraft, shipboard, trains, hotels, parks and more.

AquaSafeStraw Offers

No After Taste	No chemical additives - No chlorine No iodine
Chemical Free	Filtration is via microporous membrane, safe for all the family to use and use
Instantaneous Use	No waiting time for drip or chemical interaction
Easy to Use	Just place the tip in the water and sip
Bacteria Free	Filters out bacteria to 0.2 micron
Parasite Free	Removes parasites, cysts, oocysts, and spores
Inexpensive	Extremely low per litre cost - beats bottled water 100 to 1 and similar filtering products 5 to 1
High Volume	Filters up to 500 liters(132 gallons) and is completely re-usable
Long Life	Up to 9 months of continuous use. The product can also be stored and used periodically over long periods of time.
Durable for Travel	Physically strong and robust
Pocket Portable	Easy to carry in your pocket, handbag or day pack, or leave in the car
Zero Energy	No power or batteries required
Scientifically Approved	Tested at NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) standards        approved Laboratory

1 Straw = approximately 1000 bottles of water

Importantly, AquaSafeStraw is re-useable many times over and is extremely cost effective, filtering up to 500 liters (132 gallons) of water. That's 1,000 x500ml bottles of bottled water you won't have to buy - what a saving!! It's also a saving for the environment, and your health. AquaSafeStraw is Better Than Bottled Water - But Why? Bottled water is starting to come under higher scrutiny and criticism for sub-standard, often simply tap, water; bacterial growth after bottling and related health concerns; massive environmental impact, Greenhouse Gas emissions, and drain on natural resources through manufacture and transport; and long-term pollution.

We believe AquaSafeStraw is the best filter of its type in the market place. What is AquaSafeStraw - it's an outstanding personal drinking water filter in terms of cost, purification, filtration, portability, and the environment. We invite you to dip, sip, and enjoy the many benefits.

More About AquaSafeStraw

The AquaSafeStraw is a portable, chemical free, light weight, safe for all, water filtration straw that allows to drink bacteria free (99.9999%) void of and Giardia or Cryptosporidium water safely anywhere around the world.

The AquaSafeStraw is a plastic straw fitted with a special membrane which uses microfiltration technology and is suitable for personal use to protect against water borne bacteria and protozoa found in the tap water of many countries. When used in accordance with the operating and maintenance instructions contained below, it filters out 99.9999% of these micro-organisms including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. AquaSafeStraw is compact, lightweight, simple to use and an essential travelling companion.

AquaSafeStraw is designed only for removing water bacteria in glass filled with tap water. It is designed for use single person use and must be treated with care. AquaSafeStraw has not been designed to remove the taste of the water.

If operating and maintenance instructions are observed, the AquaSafeStraw can be expected to filter up to 500 liters of water.

What else, it is very environmentally friendly.

Design Specification

The AquaSafeStraw has been designed and manufactured to Food and Health Government regulations. The AquaSafeStraw was designed to meet the following requirements;

• Children as young as 12 months should be able to use the straw to drink water
• Removes Bacteria including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
• Stops operating once filter membrane is ineffective
• Does not introduce any bad taste
• Chemical Free -Safe for All
• Ready for immediate use, giving immediate results
• Exceed US Centre for Disease Control guidelines
• Exceed US Environmental Protection regulations
• Exceed US Food and Drug Association regulations
• Exceed World Health Organizations Guidelines
• Be portable and able to fit in a pocket
• Weigh less than 30 grams
• Be robust
• Be cost effective
• Be environmentally friendly

The result, the AquaSafeStraw, is outstanding.

 

Construction of the AquaSafeStraw

The AquaSafeStraw consists of two parts - a hard outer casing together with an inner, hollow fibre filter membrane.

The Physical Outside Casing

The outer casing is made from a polypropylene

AquaSafeStraw Characteristics

Length 210 mm
Diameter 18 mm
Dry Weight 24 grams

The Filter Membrane

The filter is made of multiple hollow fibre membranes, 40 plus metres, packed into a casing. These membranes are produced by a melt spun and drawn processes from 100% polyethersulfone raw materials. After the membrane is manufactured the surface is coated with hydrophilic polymer to aid the filtration process. Filter membranes have a pore size of 0.2 micron.

Membrane Specification
 

	Chemical Composition	Polymer	Polysulfone
	Physical Properties	Type	Hydrophilic capillary membrane
		Wall thickness	Mean 100 µm ± 50 µm
		Inner Diameter	Mean 300 µm ± 40 µm
		Tensile Strength	≥ 50 cN
		Elongation at break	≥ 30%
	Membrane Performance	Trans membrane flow	≥ 22 ml/cm2 min bar
		Retention of bacteria	≥ 7 log red. Value

   

Holding it together

The two main components of AquaSafeStraw, the outer casing and the membrane. To hold it together we use a food grade quality glue.

Operating Instructions

For optimum results, submerge the inflow opening of the AquaSafeStraw in the receptacle holding water to a depth no greater than the high water mark shown on the outer casing of the straw. Once submerged, simply sip through the mouthpiece as one normally sips through a standard straw.

Once finished drinking the water, stand the straw in an upright positon to drain to remove excess water then replace the mouthpiece. Once the product thoroughly dry, store the product in dry and cool conditions.

Note:The AquaSafeStraw is not designed to remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals or viruses contained in water.

The capacity of the AquaSafeStraw to filter water depends on the quality of water to be filtered. In addition the following conditions must be met for effective use of the AquaSafeStraw. To be stored in cool and dry conditions;
Not to be used on water above 35 °C or below 2°C. Not to be damaged through tapping or heavily shaken, nor placing sharp objects inside the unit as it may damage the filter. Regularly wipe the exterior of the AquaSafeStraw with an anti-bacterial wipe after use, do not use if tip is still wet from the wipe.

Should the product not be reused within 5 days, the product should be cleaned and stored

Note:The AquaSafeStraw is not designed to remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals or viruses contained in water.

Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions

The filter membrane in the AquaSafeStraw acts like a micro-porous sieve that filters out particles in the drinking water including micro-organisms. Therefore, while in use, the AquaSafeStraw must be kept clean.

To clean, wipe exterior only, with anti bacterial wipes. When not in use, keep cap on mouth piece to maintain its integrity.

Do not strenuously shake the AquaSafeStraw to remove water residue. This will damage the filter membrane. Before the AquaSafeStraw is stored away, it must be cleaned (as stated above)

Then once cleaned, leave the unit in upright position in a well ventilated area to completely drain and dry. it must then be stored in a cool and dry place.

Laboratory Test Results

The AquaSafeStraw water quality test was carried out by NATA approved testing laboratories with the lab results confirming the straws to be 99.9999% effective in filtering out coliforms/faecal coliforms, e-coli, staphylococcus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, standard plate count bacteria, pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria causing respiratory tract infections), pseudomonas diminuta, and serratia marcescents (another form of bacteria). The water quality report confirmed AquaSafeStraw as an ideal drinking water filtration straw for travel and drinking water related emergency and life-threatening situations where water must be treated for bacterial and protozoa contamination.

Though there are chlorine-based water tablets on the market, many are ineffective against parasite infection and give the water a foul taste, however, the AquaSafeStraw, manufactured to world-class quality standards, is chemical-free. Rather than using chemicals for water purification, the AquaSafeStraw drinking water straws use an ultra fine 0.2 micron membrane – over 5 times greater than the US CDC recommendations – to provide pure filtered water.

The Australian Government Analytical approved Laboratory tested the straw by passing water containing various bacteria and contaminants through to assess it removal capabilities. Well known microorganisms such as E-Coli, Cryptosporidium and Giardia are all successfully removed.

The “Filtered Straw” is manufactured using microfiltration membrane with nominal pore size of 0.2 micron.

Under certain conditions of chemical or viral contamination, a chorine-based disinfectant will be necessary, but used in conjunction with the AquaSafeStraw water purifier filters to remove parasitic cysts, and bacterial contamination, you can enjoy exceptional NATA approved laboratory tested, water filtration.

Australian Government Analytical Laboratories

Sonic Heath Care Laboratories have tested the AquaSafeStraw.
Report No: RN201049

Description	Units	Source Water	Treated Water	Method
Plate Count (37 C/2d)	CFU/ml	2.0E3	<1	NM1_22
Coliforms	CFU/ml	100	<1	NM2_02_1
E- coli	CFU/ml	90	<1	NM2_02_1
E- coli	CFU/ml	100	<1	NM2_02_1
Components
Plate Count(21 C/3d)	CFU/ml	100	<1	NM1_22

Note: plate count <25 & >2.5E3 are estimated counts

Sonic Health Care Laboratories Report No: W0412632

Description	Units	Source Water	Treated Water	Method
Heterotrophic Plate Count	CFU/lit	14,000	<1	AS4276.3.1

Note: Heterotrphic Plate Count less than 1 means zero colony forming units detected

Removal Performance Of The Micro-Filtration Straw

	Description	Units	Source Water	Treated Water
	Standard Plate Count Bacteria	n/ml	24,000	0
	Serratia marcescens	Cfu/ml	7.0 x 106	0
	Pseudomonas aeruginosa	Cfu/ml	6.0 x 105	0
	Pseudomonas diminuta	Cfu/ml	1.2 x 106	0
	Escherichia coli	Cfu/ml	3.5 x 104	0
	Staphylococcus	Cfu/ml	1.5 x 104	0
	Cryptosporidium	Cfu/ml	600	0
	Giardia	Cfu/ml	900	0
	Total Coliforms	Cfu/ml	400	0
	SS	mg/lit	422	< 1.0

Test results conducted using Australian Government Analytical Laboratories:

Report No: RN201049

Lab Reg No.	Sample Ref	Sample Description
NM01/18168	One	Water-Filtered
NM01/18169	Two	Water-Source

Lab Reg No. Sample Ref	Units			NM01/18168	NM01/18169	Method
Microbiology
Plate Count (37 C/2d)	CFU/ml			<1	2.0E3	NM1_22
Coliforms	CFU/100ml			<1	100	NM2_02_1
E. Coli	CFU/100ml			<1	90	NM2_02_1
Faecal Coliforms	CFU/100ml			<1	100	NM2_02_1
Components
Plate Count (21 C/3d)	CFU/ml			2	3.3E3	NM1_22

Note: plate count <25 & >2.5E3 are estimated counts