Introduction

There is an extensive range of Katadyn portable water filtration devices www.Katadyn.com available for consumers. They have both chemical and non chemical based water filtration/purification devices. 

The AquaSafeStraw specifically designed for travelling, hiking and disaster situations. The only product that is safe for all to use, irrespective of health conditions.

The closest product that matches the AquaSafeStraw is the Katadyn’s Bottle.

Branding

The Katadyn Bottle also goes by the name EXstream. A number of companies have re-branded the water bottle including Pure Water Filter at www.purewaterfilter.com

Filtration Methods

The Katadyn Bottle uses a three phase filtration. These are a Virustat cartridge with pentaiodide (I5) iodine, plastic membrane 1.0 micron and activated carbon granulate. The AquaSafeStraw uses a polyethylene membrane that filters down to 0.2 micron, exceeding the US CDC recommendation of 1 micron to effectively remove Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Product Safety

Katadyn themselves recognises the there is potential health issues with their product as in their literature (both the facts sheet and operations manual) it states “Persons with iodine allergies, thyroid problems and pregnant women should consult the doctor before using the bottle”

Other issues with the Katadyn product is that that is chemical based with iodine. The activated charcoal ‘post filter’ is meant to remove chemicals. In the documentation, it states “if you detect a chemical taste” then “post filter should also changed”. The question arises, how long have you been drinking the chemicals that you have not detected. Water will still pass through the system, even when no longer being cleaned.

The AquaSafeStraw uses a membrane technology that filter out all (99.9999%) bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Water WILL NOT pass through the AquaSafeStraw when no longer effective.

As quoted by the US Army Centre for Health (2006) http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA453960&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf regarding to iodine resins, “…resins are not effective for inactivating or removing Cryptosporidium oocysts….Giardia cysts appear to be more resistant to inactivation by iodine resins..”. These oocysts and cysts are a major cause for water related illness.

Reliability and state of mind

Both the Katadyn and AquaSafeStraw have past extensive testing to verify their specification when the product is in prime condition.

There is one major difference between the products is that the AquaSafeStraw stops working once the filter is congested.

Cost per gallon/liter

There are three filters that need replacing at various stages. Least every 100 liters and replacement cost is $42 US. That’s 42 cents per litre or a mammoth $2.73 per gallon! Compared to 7 cents a litre or 26.5 cents per gallon for the AquaSafeStraw.

Portability

AquaSafeStraw is light weight (24g), 21cm long unit, 1.8cm diameter. The product can fit in your pocket. Katadyn bottle is 29cm tall x 7.5cm diameter, weighing 210g, making the unit significantly more cumbersome to carry.

Longevity

The Katadyn Bottle can filter up to 100 litres/26 gallons whereas the AquaSafeStraw 500 litre/132g (minimum recommended levels of water intake is 2 litres/3 pints of water per day). That’s a significant difference.

Bacteria and Virus removal properties

Katadyn claims that their product removes both bacteria and virus. The Katadyn Bottle removes everything larger than 1 micron. Virus molecular size ranges from 0.02 to 2 microns.

The AquaSafeStraw filters out all Bacteria as well as Cryptosporidium and Giardia above to 0.2 microns exceeding the America’s Centre of Disease Control and prevention (www.cdc.gov) recommendation of filters to a minimum of 1 micron.

The AquaSafeStraw exceed this by a factor of 5. AquaSafeCorp is about to release two new products, AquaSafeBottle and AquaSafeStraw+, that filters down to 0.01 micron below the size of viruses.

How can AquaSafeStraw be so cost effective and be an effective water filtration system?

How does AquaSafeStraw be technologically advanced and be so price competitive?

AquaSafeCorp have taken state of the art materials and technologies, along with advanced manufacturing techniques (patented) to produce a cost effective advanced product.

Product Characteristics

Katadyn – Bottle 1 litre

AquaSafeStraw

Price (RRP)

52E ($71 US)

$44.95 US

Capacity Volume of water

100 Litres/ 26 gallon

500 litres /132 gallon

Volume cost of filtered water

71 cents per litre
$2.73 per gallon

7 cents per litre
$0.265 per gallon

Filtration levels

1.0  micron

0.2 micron

Exceeds CDC recommendations

No

Yes

Approved by relevant authorities

Yes

Yes

Chemicals

Yes

No

Satisfies US Army recommendation for water filtration

No

Yes

Reputable manufacturing standards

Yes

Yes

Longevity

Yes

Yes

Stop working once filtration stops working

No

Yes

Portability/size

290 mm long x 75 mm in diameter
210 grams

21 cm long x 1.8 cm diameter
24 grams