As a follow-on to the previous post, the Guardian has been moving ahead since it’s initial development in late 2009. It has been to several labs, tested for bacteria kill with artificial stirring using a stir-plate at the lab as well as with natural walking. Our very own team members have volunteered their strength (and sweat!) to haul 20-liter jerrycans and buckets around our partner lab in Salinas, CA for as long as 40 minutes at a time. Jokes about no longer needing a gym membership aside, we got better bacteria kill with the natural motion of walking than with artificial stirring of the water.
Oxfam is working with us to begin field trials of Guardian: testing its ability to keep water safe for drinking in a village in rural Africa. Field trials had been planned to start in April/May located in Uganda or Ethiopia. Since then, the trials have been moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they will begin late this month or early in July. Guardian ropes are currently on their way to Uvira, DRC, where they will be distributed to families at a local village site. The families’ water will be routinely monitored against other families’ without Guardian continuously for the next six months. We know they will make a huge impact on human health in the DRC – especially in children who are most vulnerable to waterborne disease.
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Access to safe water has become a global crisis, especially in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and results in human suffering, loss of life and financial hardship. The crisis puts a severe burden on developing countries and makes it difficult for these countries to prosper and compete in the global economy.
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H20’s patent pending silver-based water purification solution is a break-through technology called Solid Form Biocide (SFB) which makes it possible to create products that satisfy a multitude of use scenarios including water-in-transit, water storage, inline and counter top and water bottles. SFB kills pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, algae and fungi without the need for electricity or the use of chemicals and generates no waste. It may be the most environmentally friendly water purification solution to date. Unlike many existing purification technologies such as activated carbon, sand, and ceramic filters, SFB is long lasting, simple to maintain and inexpensive.
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