SAFE WATER FOR ALL

What Makes the ION Unique?

The ION is not a filter but a ‘flow-through’ device that deactivates waterborne pathogens by exposing them to the silver-treated medium inside the device.

The ION is inserted into a 0.75 liter (750 mL) water bottle, and after agitating the ION in the bottle for 60 seconds, 99% of E. coli bacteria are deactivated, thereby conforming with international guidelines for safe drinking water.

Ionic silver is a thoroughly evaluated, safe, and effective anti-bacterial agent. Field tests conducted in Nepal confirmed the performance results obtained in extensive testing internally and with third-party analytical labs in the U.S.

Most conventional water purification products have limited lifetimes as they clog easily, need to be replaced frequently, are expensive, are too heavy to carry, or all of the above. Boiling and solar disinfection are unreliable and not widely used.

By contrast, the ION does not clog and has a tested lifetime of 500 cycles, providing many gallons of safe drinking water for an individual or a family. The ION’s effectiveness, small size, and low cost can bring safe drinking water to millions of people.

The ION is designed to fit in a personal water bottle, which is its intended primary use. Patents are issued and pending.

3 Simple Steps

  1. Submerge ION into a 750 mL bottle of contaminated water

  2. Agitate (swirl) ION for 60 seconds

  3. Remove ION from the bottle

SAFE WATER TO DRINK!

How it Works

Bacterial Deactivation Mechanisms

The ION uses silver ions to deactivate E. coli bacteria in less than 60 seconds.

E. coli on the Move!

 

Silver Ion Safety TECHNICAL ARTICLE

 

Laboratory Test Results

 

The ION has been rigorously tested both internally and in the field, with analysis performed by third-party water testing laboratories at several different analytical labs. E. coli is used worldwide as an indicator of fecal contamination of water. The effects of the ION on E. coli strongly suggest its effectiveness against other waterborne pathogens, the subject of future testing.

Test data indicates that the ION conforms to the guidelines for safe drinking water established by the EPA and the World Health Organization. The ION’s effectiveness does not diminish even after prolonged uses.

Field tests in Nepal have confirmed the number of effective use cycles when the ION is used in a person’s 750 mL drinking bottle.

Silver Ion Leaching Analysis

The ION has been thoroughly tested to ensure that silver ion leaching into treated water meets safe water guidelines. Test data below shows silver ion levels are slightly above suggested guidelines during the first few cycles, but then stabilize at 0.004 mg/L, well below the 0.1 mg/L limit. A pre-rinsing step in the manufacturing process is used to stabilize the silver ion level below the suggested limit.

 

The ION: Lifetime Test Results

The photos and data tables below show the results of running the ION through 500 repeated cycles in a 0.75-liter bottle of contaminated water. The ION successfully deactivated > 99% of thousands of E. coli colonies.

 
 

Field Testing

Laboratory testing has been complemented by field tests, confirming the effectiveness of the ION under field conditions.

Silver Aqua partnered with Village Forward (a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with operational headquarters in Katmandu, Nepal to run ION field tests.

Village Forward, founded by David Elliott, produces and sells the Aquasif, a household, kitchen-based water treatment system that uses the same silver ion (Ag+) technology as the ION. The Aquasif currently provides safe water to over 250,000 people in Nepal.

UNICEF is one of the NGOs that purchased and distributed Aquasif systems. Clinical testing overseen by local medical doctors confirmed that the use of Aquasifs in homes has resulted in striking reductions in bowel infections in school children. We hope to partner with UNICEF for the ION.

Successful field tests were conducted with the ION in Nepal. Two separate tests, each 6 months long, were run at primary and secondary schools. These tests were monitored by a doctor, taking blood and stool samples every 30 days, and health data was captured in a report. Silver Aqua will partner with organizations to scale the field testing.

Field use of the ION will anticipate a wide variety of population need situations, including households, schools, refugee camps, tent cities, disaster relief situations, and people displaced due to military action. Collaboration with Non-Government organizations (NGOs) will enable the acceleration of the ION’s social impact

Field Test Certifications

 

Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) water analysis reports detail the turbidity and total E. coli and coliform counts of water samples treated with the ION. ENPHO water analyses found the ION to eradicate the E. coli and coliform within the drinking water.

Madhyapur Hospital report on the effectiveness of the Silver Aqua ION and bottle. The ION was effective in controlling waterborne diseases.

School children take water from a locally-made Aquasif from Village Forward in Nepal.

Nepalese school children demonstrate the proper use of the ION. They drop the device into their water bottle, agitate for 30 seconds, take it out, and enjoy safe drinking water.

Students using the ION were monitored by a doctor. The result was improved health, less absence from school, and satisfaction by taking charge of their own health.