H2gO Purifier

Aqua Research LLC

A handheld device that generates chlorine to disinfect drinking water.

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

Design by Aqua Research LLC, the H2gO Purifier is a handheld device that generates a volume-specific disinfectant using salt and electricity through an electrolytic process. The resulting solution is then added to water to be disinfected.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

The product is targeted for users worldwide. In 2015, the product was distributed in Nepal following the earthquake.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Aqua Research partners with Wisconsin Pharmacal Company to market and distribute their product to NGOs in the US.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

100 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Products that use electrolysis to generate disinctants such as the WATA-Standard. Other disinfection products include P&G Purifying powder, WaterGuard, Aquatab, and other forms of chlorine or bleach.

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Individuals and households

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Mass produced in China

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Trade marked

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

This product is ordered directly from the manufacturer. NGOs wishing to purchase bulk orders can qualify for a discounted price.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

3,000 as of 2014

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Active Chemical and concentration (%)

Active chemical and concentration (%) of the product (not the concentration of the treated water)

Chlorine generated from using salt and electricity through an electrolytic process

Form

Form of the chemical disinfection

Liquid

Dosing method: Batch or flow-through

Does the water flow through a treatment system or does it remain in a container?

Batch

Dosing method: Automatic or manual

Is the dose of the chemical administered automatically or manually?

Manual

Dosing quantity

Manufacturer-specified dosing quantity

The brine is poured into the device’s electrolytic cell chamber and desinfectan is produced for the selected water volume to be treated.

Contact time (min)

Manufacturer-specified time until water is potable, measured in minutes

The disinfectant is generated from 15 seconds to 5 minutes (depending on the selected volume). 30 minutes are required before consumption.

Target free disinfectant residual (mg/L)

Remaining level of chemical concentration after manufacturer-specified contact time

Unknown

Bacteria reduction

Laboratory-evaluated log scale removal rate of bacteria

6 log

Virus reduction

Laboratory-evaluated log scale removal rate of viruses

3 log

Protozoa reduction

Laboratory-evaluated log scale removal rate of protozoa

0 log

Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction

Reduction levels of heavy metals and/or arsenic through this treatment system

Unknown

Treatment lifespan (days)

How long can the treated water remain protected and safe to drink?

2 -3 days

Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)

Manufacturer-specified maximum level of inlet turbidity (NTU)

Unknown

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

The H2gO Purifier is charged via solar panel or USB connection and a brine solution is mixed with the addition of salt (each bottle of brine holds ten applications). The brine is poured into the device’s electrolytic cell chamber. A water volume is selected and the device is turned on. An electrolytic process generates the disinfectant in 15 seconds to 5 minutes (depending on the selected volume). Once complete, the solution is mixed with the water to be treated. Instructions require 30 minutes before consuming.

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Detailed product instruction manual

Technical support Technical support provided by

The product has a limited 2 year warranty and technical support is available from Aqua Research LLC.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

None available.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

The H2gO makes enough disinfectant for 124,000 L of drinking water and has an estimated lifespan of 10 years.

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

The manufacturer aims to reduce bacteria, viruses, and protozoa with the chlorine generated by their product.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

The WHO reported that the H2gO Purifier showed a log 6 reduction in bacteria and a log 3 reduction in viruses.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Manufacturer tested and evaluation by the WHO.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

The manufacturer recommends a storage life of no more than 1.5 years in a sealed in container at room temperature to protect from moisture.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

Safe water storage.

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

WHO (2016), Results of Round 1 of the WHO International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies, (see page 31 for the H2gO Purifier).

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

This product claims to meet the requirements for the Center of Disease Control (CDC) Safe Water System. However, to meet disinfection of protozoa requirements, the solution must mix with water for 4 hours (instructions state 30 minutes).

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

The WHO evaluation of H2gO Purifier consisted of a review of existing data on the product’s performance against bacteria and viruses only. Results stated: “In general, the existing evidence suggests that disinfection by chlorine alone or mixed oxidants is ineffective against Cryptosporidium oocysts at concentrations that would be within taste and odor thresholds and contact times reasonably reflective of field use. Although some experimental data were submitted on the product’s performance against protozoan cysts including Cryptosporidium oocysts, they were based on high doses and long contact times (up to four hours). These data were therefore not considered in the review as in practice the recommended contact time is 30 min and achieving longer times would require considerable user education.”

Other information

H2gO informational video

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

The product is targeted for users worldwide. In 2015, the product was distributed in Nepal following the earthquake.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Aqua Research partners with Wisconsin Pharmacal Company to market and distribute their product to NGOs in the US.

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

100 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Products that use electrolysis to generate disinctants such as the WATA-Standard. Other disinfection products include P&G Purifying powder, WaterGuard, Aquatab, and other forms of chlorine or bleach.

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Individuals and households

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

Mass produced in China

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Trade marked

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

This product is ordered directly from the manufacturer. NGOs wishing to purchase bulk orders can qualify for a discounted price.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

3,000 as of 2014

Performance & use

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Active Chemical and concentration (%)

Active chemical and concentration (%) of the product (not the concentration of the treated water)

Chlorine generated from using salt and electricity through an electrolytic process

Form

Form of the chemical disinfection

Liquid

Dosing method: Batch or flow-through

Does the water flow through a treatment system or does it remain in a container?

Batch

Dosing method: Automatic or manual

Is the dose of the chemical administered automatically or manually?

Manual

Dosing quantity

Manufacturer-specified dosing quantity

The brine is poured into the device’s electrolytic cell chamber and desinfectan is produced for the selected water volume to be treated.

Contact time (min)

Manufacturer-specified time until water is potable, measured in minutes

The disinfectant is generated from 15 seconds to 5 minutes (depending on the selected volume). 30 minutes are required before consumption.

Target free disinfectant residual (mg/L)

Remaining level of chemical concentration after manufacturer-specified contact time

Unknown

Bacteria reduction

Laboratory-evaluated log scale removal rate of bacteria

6 log

Virus reduction

Laboratory-evaluated log scale removal rate of viruses

3 log

Protozoa reduction

Laboratory-evaluated log scale removal rate of protozoa

0 log

Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction

Reduction levels of heavy metals and/or arsenic through this treatment system

Unknown

Treatment lifespan (days)

How long can the treated water remain protected and safe to drink?

2 -3 days

Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)

Manufacturer-specified maximum level of inlet turbidity (NTU)

Unknown

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Detailed product instruction manual

Technical support Technical support provided by

The product has a limited 2 year warranty and technical support is available from Aqua Research LLC.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

None available.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

The H2gO makes enough disinfectant for 124,000 L of drinking water and has an estimated lifespan of 10 years.

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

The manufacturer aims to reduce bacteria, viruses, and protozoa with the chlorine generated by their product.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

The WHO reported that the H2gO Purifier showed a log 6 reduction in bacteria and a log 3 reduction in viruses.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Manufacturer tested and evaluation by the WHO.

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

The manufacturer recommends a storage life of no more than 1.5 years in a sealed in container at room temperature to protect from moisture.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

Safe water storage.

Research & standards

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

WHO (2016), Results of Round 1 of the WHO International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies, (see page 31 for the H2gO Purifier).

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Other information

H2gO informational video

Feedback

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

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Aqua Research LLC

In context photographs (0)

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors