Long gone are the days of iodine tablets and complicated water filtration systems. The latest must-have for any traveller planning on backpacking through a developing country or spending weeks in the woods is a magic wand, specifically a magic water purifying wand, which is a handheld device that uses UV rays to treat drinking water on the spot.
The wands were first developed under the name SteriPen by the American company Hydro-Photon in the mid-1990s. The SteriPen was recognized as a Time Magazine Invention of the Year in 2001, but only recently has it reached mainstream markets. Another company, Meridian Design, has also released a version of the wand known as the mÜV, but it is only under
limited production.
Although they may sound like witchcraft, the science behind these wands is well-known; they utilize the same ultraviolet technology used by most municipal water treatment plants in North America. At the end of the wand is a UV lamp, which emits a powerful light that kills DNA and prevents microbes from reproducing. Just like Lysol, it's proven to kill 99.9 per cent of viruses, bacteria and protozoa, including the pesky Giardia and
Cryptosporidium parasites.
Using the wand is as simple as sticking it into a glass of water, pressing a button to activate the UV light and stirring. It takes about 90 seconds to purify a litre of water. The latest SteriPens even have LCD screens which light up with a smiley-face to let you know when the water is purified. The wands don't use any chemicals, so the water is safe to drink right away and there is no aftertaste like there is with iodine tablets.
The biggest downside to the wands is that they can't fully purify any murky or colour-tinged water. If it's an emergency situation, Hydro-Photon recommends using the wand treatment multiple times on the water because it will still have a significant effect. Also, it is suggested that with any kind of water you clarify it beforehand with a mesh screening device to get rid of solids.
Reviewers in the outdoor travel industry have raved about the device, especially its portability. The wands are pocket sized and weigh less than five ounces, meaning that they'll take up as much room as a ballpoint pen. They also run on two rechargeable batteries that last for up to 50 litres of purification, so you don't have to worry about the wand failing on you in the middle of a trip, unless you really plan on heading into the wild.
Sources: NYTimes, Outside Magazine, Hydro-Phobon Inc.
2008 Woodie Awards
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Steve Jefferies
posted 3/22/08 @ 3:05 PM EST
I love my SteriPEN Adventurer and I just purchased the solar charger for it so I can not worry about running out of batteries. Have a look, it's a great combination:
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