The Lifestraw is a product that enables a user 99.999999% bacteria-free and 99.999% parasite-free water for around $20. The design is essentially a filtered straw that can be put directly into a body of water and filter hazards immediately. The device works as advertised for at least 1000l liters. The product may come across as a perfect solution to hazardous water in developing countries, however it is not. The straw cannot filter viruses which are prevalent in bodies of water in many developing countries.

Also consider the access problems many face to any water at all. The organization Water For Africa recognizes not only is hazardous water a problem, but bodies of any water are may be located far away and typically women are tasked with the responsibility of retrieving it everyday. The task of delivering this water is incredibly laborsome, for a reward that is ultimately dangerous. The Lifestraw cannot rid this water of viruses, nor can it reduce the labor of moving water.

This is not to say the Lifestraw is a poor product, but it may just be a better solution for poverty within the United States or other countries that are less likely to have viruses in bodies of water. A Lifestraw is also a great tool for a hiking or an emergency kit. There are other filtration systems that are able to filter out viruses, but part of the appeal of the Lifestraw is the $20 price tag. Other filtration systems, though relatively as portable and more cost effective, have the barrier of a high up front cost.

Sources:

SnarkyNomad (2014). “The one problem no Lifestraw review ever mentions”. SnarkyNomad. https://snarkynomad.com/the-one-problem-no-lifestraw-review-ever-mentions/

“Benefits of Clean Water”. WaterForAfrica. https://www.waterforafrica.org.uk/benefits-of-water/