Introduction

There is a large range of Vertergaard portable water filtration devices http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw.htm available for consumers. Their products are filtration and purification (chemical) based.

AquaSafeCorp has one product, further to be added in coming months, the AquaSafeStraw that has been specifically designed for travelling, hiking and disaster situations. The only product that is safe for all to use, irrespective of health conditions, known and unknown, due to its chemical free filtration system.

For the purpose of comparison, we are looking at AquaSafeStraw against LifeStraw.

Filtration Methods

The LifeStraw product uses Halogenate resin (iodine resin) and granular activated carbon (silver impregnated) to filter and purifies the water. Filters to 15 microns.

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.

Ease of Use

LifeStraw and the AquaSafeStraw are very simple, easy and self evident products to use.

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.

Speed to access of water

The AquaSafeStraw and LifeStraw are immediately ready to use.

Chemical based filters/purifiers

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..”. LifeStraw uses iodine resin These oocysts and cysts are a major cause for water related illness

Bacteria and Virus removal properties

LifeStraw claims to remove bacteria down to 15 microns killing off Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The typical bacteria range is from 2 -18 microns, and the CDC’s recommendation is filtration to 1 micron to effectively remove Giardia and Cryptosporidium The US Army reported that Halogenated resins are ineffective against Giardia and Cryptosporidium. http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA453960&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf 

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.

Reliability and state of mind

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

There is a major difference between the products is that the AquaSafeStraw stops working once the filter is congested. Water will still flow through LifeStraw even though Halogenates stops removing bacteria, what are you drinking?

Cost per gallon/litre

LifeStraw is not readily available to the public for single unit purchase, though it is understood to cost around $5US. AquaSafeStraw works out to be 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. The LifeStraw product is large in comparison over 31 cm tall x 2.9 cm diameter, weighing over 140g.

Longevity

LifeStraw filters/purifies in 700 litres/182 gallons compared to AquaSafeStraw 500 litre/132g (minimum recommended levels of water intake are 2 litres/3 pints of water per day, therefore, AquaSafeStraw will last approx 250 days of continual use. The product will STOP working when no longer removing bacteria).

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

LifeStraw

AquaSafeStraw

Price (RRP)

$10 US

$44.95 US

Capacity Volume of water

700 Litres/ 182 gallon

500 litres /132 gallon

Filtration levels

15  micron

0.2 micron

Exceeds CDC recommendations

Yes

Yes

Approved by relevant authorities

Yes

Yes

Chemicals

Yes

No

No

Yes 

Satisfies US Army recommendation for water filtration

No

Yes

Ease of Use

Very Easy

Very Easy

Reputable manufacturing standards

Yes

Yes

Longevity

Yes

Yes

Stop working once filtration stops working

No

Yes

Portability/size

31 cm long x 2.9 cm in diameter
140 grams

21 cm long x 1.8 cm diameter
24 grams