Lifestraw personal water filter is an emergency kit for hiking, outdoor activities, camping, traveling, and survival. You should remember that many waterborne diseases can ruin your camping trip. Bacteria and protozoa are responsible for most of these waterborne diseases. This filter can remove 99.9% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters up to 0.2 microns particles; which exceed EPA filter standards. It is very lightweight only 0.1 pounds. The filter is nine inches long and about 1 inch wide, so you can carry it easily through your bag. It is very durable and you can pack it anywhere. It can filter up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of contaminated water. It does not require any batteries, no pumping, and has no moving parts. The drawback is it cannot removes chemicals, pesticides. It is made of plastic.
How does lifestraw work
Lifestraw personal water filter is made of hollow fiber membranes. It has microscopic pores of 0.2 microns in size. So, it can remove all the microorganisms and particles that are 0.2 microns or larger sizes. Almost all the bacteria, parasites are 0.2 microns or larger sizes. Dirty water enters on one side then the bacteria, protozoan parasites, dirt, silt, sand, and microplastics are trapped in the filter. Only clean water passes through it. Although the viruses are too small to pass the microfilter they survive only inside larger host organisms, therefore the filter would capture them.
Microfiltration cannot remove chemicals including traces of heavy metals, fertilizer, pesticides. So this filter is not effective in industrial and farmland areas. Moreover, you have to avoid the water bodies where it may contaminants by human waste or sewage. In farmland areas, water bodies may have contaminant by fertilizer, pesticides. The Lifestraw personal water filter is also not effective for saline water. It is always good to know what is upstream.
How to use your LifeStraw filter
Go near the water source then get down and opening the bottom cap of the LifeStraw personal water filter. Then, simply place it into unfiltered water for 20 seconds and suck clean water through the top of the straw or, you can fill your water bottle and insert the filter to start sipping. To keep the filter clean and prevent it from clogging, regularly blow air through the LifeStraw water filter after drinking. Close both of the caps when it is not in use. This filter has no replacements; once you reach the 4000 liters of water, it will clog automatically and you would throw it away.
Pros
- Filters out most water-borne microorganisms
- Very easy to use and low price
- Easily carry
Cons
- It is not ideal for large groups
- The filtrate water cannot be stored
- No replaceable part or lack of reparability
- Cannot remove chemicals including traces of heavy metals, fertilizer, pesticides
Conclusion
The Lifestraw personal water filter is suitable for one person for hiking, outdoor activities, camping, traveling, and survival. It doesn’t have a storage system, but you get the filtrate water instantly. It is a great option for emergency use but you have to remember it is useful for the water that is not contaminant by chemical, human waste, sewage, or saline.