FAQs
Find all your answers to how the iStraw helps keep you safe, provides safer drinking water, helps the environment and reduces your personal carbon footprint.
How long will the iStraw last?
The iStraw will purify up to 500 litres as long as the maintenance instructions are followed. Please refer to the Terms and Maintenance page on the website or refer to the back of the iStraw packaging. If you have any further questions please email info@istraw.co.uk
What does the iStraw actually purify?
The iStraw reduces upto 99.9999% of all waterborne bacteria, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
Where can I use the iStraw?
The iStraw can be used for local municipal tap water, streams and lakes but always refer to instructions.
Do not use to purify cloudy or slightly salty (brackish/turbid) water.
Do not use the iStraw in hot water
- Dissolve a water purification product such as Aquatabs or Micropur (i.e. the tablets suppled with the iStraw ) in a glass/cup containing 500ml of clean water
- Remove the mouthpiece cover and place the iStraw in the glass/cup so that it is fully submerged
- After 20 minutes, take the iStraw out of the glass/cup and gently shake water residue off before use
- Do not tap the iStraw on a solid object to shake water residue out
- Do not strenously shake the iStraw when removing water residue
Does it reduce/eliminate fluoride, and if so, by how much?
The iStraw does not remove/reduce fluoride from water. Reverse Osmosis Filtration or using Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filters are two of the ways of removing/reducing fluoride from water.
Has the iStraw been tested?
The iStraw drinking straw and micro purification process has been tested by a NATA approved labortory in Australia, where the product is produced.
What is the difference between iStraw and Lifestraw?
The 2 straws use different technologies and filter systems. The basic differences is the Lifestraw is for emergency situations that may occur in places such as Asia and Africa and are only a very short term fix to contanimated water. The Lifestraw uses an iodine type process which can only be used for about 2 weeks as the iodine becomes harmful to the body. The product is cost efficient and ideal for emergencies in poorer countries but cannot be used on long term basis.
The iStraw uses a micro purification technology and is for long term use i.e. Holidays, camping etc...As long as the iStraw is correctly maintained it will last for 500 litres which is circa 1000 average bottles of Mineral water - cheaper and better for the environment.
Does the iStraw work with salt water?
Unfortunately the iStraw doesn't work with salt water as it would damage the membrane.
What is the iStraw's filter micron rating?
0.1 micron (nominal) - The backing card has the information and you can find out more in the "How does the iStraw work?" section. Retention of bacteria (Brevundimonas diminuta) ≥ 7 log reduction value.
Does the iStraw eliminate chemicals and metals? If so what percentages?
For chemicals adsorption we suggest activated carbon filter. Activated carbon is also effective for removal of chlorine and moderately effective for removal of some heavy metals. Most metal ions are not removed by activated carbon to any significant degree.
What sort of filter does the iStraw use? Is it a charcoal filter or something else?
The micropurification filter used in iStraw is capillary membrane made of PES (Polyethersulfone).
Can you use the straw to drink other drinks such as a coke that has ice cubes in? Where you don't trust the ice cubes.
Not only one can not, trust the ice cubes in at risk countries, one should not even trust the soft drinks including the big brands - it is well known that the water used to manufacture the soft drinks are contaminated. The iStraw will solve both problems.
I was wondering if you can blow back through the iStraw? I read in a review that after use it gets water stuck in it, which can leak out later. Other such products advise you to blow back through their straws to clear the water but I don't want to damage my iStraw.
Instead of blowing, it is recommended to suck the excess water from the iStraw after removal from water. Blowing back is not hygienic and doesn't work well.
Do you know, or can you find out, if iStraw filters out the Copepod? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod
Our research shows that the smallest copepod is around 50 micron. iStraw will have no problem with this.
