__NOTOC__<small-title />[[Image:LifeStraw.jpg|thumb|right|150px200px|LifeStraw]]
LifeStraw® is a portable simple filtration device, which measures around 25 cm long and 29 mm in diameter, and filters up to 700 litres of water.
It filters up to 700 litres of water and effectively removes most of the micro organisms responsible for causing waterborne diseases.
===Suitable conditions===[[Image:LifeStraw in use.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Woman using the lifestraw]] The lifestraw can only be used for low turbid water. The released amount of iodine in water treated from LifeStraw® is not normally damaging to human health. However, people with thyroid problems or allergic reaction to iodine must seek medical advice before using this tool A model applicable at a family level does exist. {{procontable | proborder="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"|-! width="50%" style="background:#efefef;" | Advantages! style="background:#f0f8ff;" | Disadvantages|-| valign="top" | - Does not require electricity <br>
- Does not require repair or spare parts <br>
- Can be carried around for easy access to safe and clean water <br>
- Easy to mass-distribute in areas where drinking water is contaminated <br>
- Easy to clean pre-filter as well as purifier cartridge <br>
| convalign= "top" | - Not a good development tool as it lacks sustainability <br>
- Should not be shared <br>
- Cannot be used by children <br>
}|}
==History and social context==
==Suitable conditions ==
[[Image:LifeStraw in use.jpg|thumb|right|150px|LifeStraw in use]]
The lifestraw can only be used for low turbid water. The released amount of iodine in water treated from LifeStraw® is not normally damaging to human health. However, people with thyroid problems or allergic reaction to iodine must seek medical advice before using this tool
A model applicable at a family level does exist.
{{Potential_Treatment_Capacity_table
==Technical specification== ====Operation=Construction, operations and maintenance===
Place LifeStraw® in water and sip through the mouthpiece. Regularly blow through the LifeStraw® after drinking to keep the filters clean and to prevent them from clogging. To clean, wipe your LifeStraw® with a soft cloth
====Treatment Efficiency====
The University of North Carolina evaluated the performance of LifeStraw® personal water filter with regard to reduction of bacteria and viruses, level of iodine release and silver concentration in the filtered water. LifeStraw®:
* removes particles down to 15 microns <br>
====Maintenance====
The filterpen is quite sensitive to shocks, so avoid dropping or collisions. However, as far as proper maintenance is conducted, no real damage should occur.
====Manufacturing====
Vestergaard SA Tested by the University of North Carolina. LifeStraw® can be donated through various non profit organisations.
====Estimated Lifespan====
Shelf-life is 2 years at 25°C or 1 year at 30°C.
==Cost=Costs===
{{Treatment_Cost2
|CapCost= US$4 = €2,85
|5yCost=US$ 12-30
|m3Cost=US$5,71 = €4,08
}}
<br>==Country =Field experiences===The following project(s) utilize some straw filtering methods.<br>{|style="border: 2px solid #e0e0e0; width: 20%; text-align: justify; background-color: #e9f5fd;" cellpadding=Manuals="2"|- style="vertical-align: top" |[[Image:akvorsr logo_lite.png|center|60px|link==Movies==http://akvo.org/products/rsr/]]|- style==Footnotes=="vertical-align: bottom"|[[Image:project 789.jpg |thumb|center|140px|<font size="2"><center>[http://rsr.akvo.org/project/789/ RSR Project 789]<br>MWA-LAP: <br>Colombia</center></font>|link=Acknowledgements==http://rsr.akvo.org/project/789/ ]] ==References==|}
{{Joinus}}<br>===Suppliers===* [http://www.buylifestraw.com/ Vestergaard - LifeStraw]
