The FiltaStraw Project

How it Started

The idea of a portable water filtration device was first brought to our club by our own Rotarian Paul Ringdahl 3 years ago. Paul is the founder of this project. The initial product that Paul had identified had a number of drawbacks of which price was certainly the major one. After several months of research the idea was shelved but not forgotten.

In November 2005 Paul's wife saw a small clipping in a newspaper relating to another product that was considerably cheaper. That night Paul e-mailed the manufacturer and told them what he hoped to achieve with their product. The following morning the manufacturer contacted Paul and the first 12 samples of FiltaStraw were sent by courier. Two days later they arrived and by the following week all were gone. Another 30 were sent by the manufacturer and these were accompanied by a small presentation pack.

In February 2006 Paul sent a presentation pack and a FiltaStraw to the International chairs of every club within the RIBI. The response was amazing. Again stripped of FiltaStraws the manufacturers sent another shipment, this time a carton of 120 FiltaStraws was received.

It should be noted here at this point that the manufacturer had not charged our club for one single FiltaStraw (162 in total) or for the costs of the overnight couriers. These costs were considerable and we are most grateful for their charitable assistance during the formative months of this project.

By now our club members had seen the potential of this project and it was decided to invest a great deal of the clubs resources into this project and import many thousands for the first shipment. The FiltaStraws arrived soon after. The first shipment arrived on a Friday afternoon and they were all spoken for and despatched by the following Monday afternoon. Just four days and they had all gone. This is a direct result of the incredible interest shown by other visionary Rotary Clubs wanting to become involved in our club's projects.

The rest as they say is history. Our club now orders replacement stocks on a regular basis and our stocking levels are always kept at relatively high levels. We can in most cases supply over 1000 FiltaStraws ex-stock. Stocking levels are about to be increased due to increasing demand.

‘Aims and Ambitions’

Our Aim:

‘To provide an effective personal water purifier that is able to provide enough safe drinking water to those that need it in times of disaster.’

Our Ambitions:

‘Through fund raising and donations to supply FiltaStraws to recognised humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian organisations for direct distribution to the needy in a quantity that is sufficient to meet the immediate need of such a crisis.’

To establish this project as a recognised Rotary project and as such also apply for matched funding through Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI).

To also secure the Government's assistance in supporting a ‘gift aid’ status in recognition of the incredible hard work and compassion that Rotary as an organisation bestows on those less fortunate.

To bring Rotary's name to the attention of the rest of the world as an organisation of well meaning, well connected men and women serving a common goal; a wish to extend a helping hand to all, no matter what colour, creed or religion.

To continue to provide such assistance for the foreseeable future with this project and to further research other safe water projects as part of our club's ‘Water Projects Charity’.

What's it all About?

Quite simply it's all about ‘Life’ nothing more and nothing less; the opportunity to help save the life of a fellow human being. The ability to contribute the gift of life, directly through your own actions, to a ‘friend you have not yet met’. To unselfishly provide your own time and resources to help someone less fortunate. It is that simple.

Mahatma Ghandi once famously said

“Do something for your fellow man each day. Something which you do not get paid for, but the privilege of doing it.”

Truly a man who was ‘Leading the way’.

What is a FiltaStraw and How Does it Work?

A FiltaStraw is a portable water filtration and purification device. It measures 250mm long by 29mm in diameter. It weighs just 95 grams and has a rope attachment that allows it to simply hang around your neck.

It has a 3 stage particle filtration system which will filter down to 15 microns. It is capable of filtering around 700 litres of water which is enough to provide a one year water requirement for most people.

The FiltaStraw's first filter is a pre-filter of PE filter textile with a mesh of 100 microns, shortly followed by a second textile filter in polyester with a mesh opening of just 15 microns.

Using this method all large particles are filtered out, even clusters of bacteria are removed. The water is then led into a chamber of Iodine impregnated beads where bacteria, viruses and parasites are killed.

The second chamber has a void where the Iodine having been washed off the beads can do its job. The last chamber consists of granulated activated carbon. Its role is to take away the main part of the smell of the Iodine, and to take away the parasites that have not been removed by the pre-filter or killed by the Iodine.

The biggest parasites will be filtered by the pre-filter, the weakest will be killed by the Iodine and the medium range will be killed by the activated carbon.

How to Use a FiltaStraw

Quite simply remove the FiltaStraw from its protective packaging. Remove the lower cap with your finger nail then remove the small cover that covers the mouthpiece.

Place the FiltaStraw in the suspect water and suck steadily on the mouthpiece. When the water arrives in your mouth for the first few times you should spit it out as this water will contain some black carbon particulate. It is not dangerous but it is better to spit it out anyway. Continue to suck steadily on the FiltaStraw until you have satisfied your thirst.

On completion simply blow back through the FiltaStraw to help cleanse it and remove some of the particulates that may have gathered on the first pre-filter.