Katadyn Pocket Microfilters In Stock Now!

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Hilary

Just arrived and on sale! Check out our store for more info.

I am excited to announce that a shipment of Katadyn Pockets is on its way to us from Katadyn’s US headquarters in Minnesota today. We should have them in stock sometime next week.

The Pocket is by far our best seller and it’s easy to understand why. It’s rugged construction and superior silver impregnated ceramic filter are what has created such a strong demand for this product as of late. Many online retailers are back ordered on Pockets. With a capacity of up to 13,000 gals and a lifetime warranty, you can’t go wrong with this filter. Penny for penny, it’s the best deal around.

The one and only

penny for penny, the best deal around.

News this morning of another earthquake off the shores of Japan brings new concerns for a possible tsunami. As people are being evacuated I want to extend best hopes that another disaster will be averted.

It’s times like this that make people aware of how very vulnerable we are. This is why the Pocket has been so hard to find lately and why so many include them in their emergency disaster preparedness kits. It’s a good choice for personal use for disaster relief workers as well. Because of high demand the manufacturers in Switzerland can’t keep up with all the orders.

If you’d like to be put on our email list for notification of when the Pocket will be available, please email us at info@highwaterfilters.com

And look for discount promo codes on select products, including the Expedition, coming soon.

Posted in Cool Stuff, Disaster Relief, Emergency Preparedness, News, Products, Water, World | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Not an April’s Fools Day Joke.

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Hilary

Yesterday ended Highwater Filter’s pledge drive to donate 10% of sales from our Highwater Filters store to disaster relief efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and currently the nuclear emergency that threatens the area surrounding the Fukushima nuclear plant.

I am pleased to donate $225.00 more to the charity Architecture for Humanity. See my previous post to learn why I chose this non-profit to donate to.

Thank you to everyone who chose Highwater Filters to purchase your portable water treatments from. Please follow us on facebook and twitter to learn of upcoming special promotions and sales.

May the recovery efforts in Japan lift the spirits of a very traumatized nation and may the Japanese people overcome the tremendous loss they are currently experiencing.

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Can Radioactive Particles Be Filtered Out of Water?

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Hilary

I’ve just updated my blog with my latest research. Please check it out: Filtering radiation from water.

Update: Click here to see the brand new T.R.A.P. home radiation water filter available today!

Can radioactive particles be filtered out of
contaminated drinking water?
That is what I have been trying to find out for the last two days. There are plenty of claims out there and much debate on forums across the web about radiation and drinking water. My search has proven enlightening and inconclusive at the same time. If my eyes didn’t hurt, I might soldier on, but for now I’d like to make the following claim.
There is probably no method of filtering water that is 100% effective against all kinds of radioactive particles. radiation_h2o

I just got off the phone with the owner of a company that makes distiller kits that I am adding to the Highwater Filters web store very soon. I asked him if you can effectively remove radioactive particles from water by distilling it. He pretty much said what I have said above. Not all types of radioactive particles can be removed by distilling. I hesitated to ask him what types can be removed because I got the feeling he did not want to make any claims that could possibly be challenged later, and I understand that completely. Although I have read on boards and in articles that distillation is the best, and perhaps only, method for treating water contaminated with radioactive particles, I have also read that reverse osmosis is the best, that ceramic filters reduce radioactive particles, and that carbon filters are effective as well.

One of my competitors is leading the charge on their blog by touting that Katadyn emergency water filters are able to filter out radioactive particles, but they really don’t say how effectively. I will wait until I can get factual evidence before I make any claims. All I know is that the Katadyn company claims that the ceramic filters reduce radioactive particles. To me that means you better test the water before drinking. Perhaps a two or three phase filtering system will be effective.

Some of the forums out there have some great information about filters made from earth and other biological materials. You can DIY some filters in a 5 gallon bucket. I also read just the other day that banana peels make great filters. There are a lot of methods out there, both tried and true and some that seem dubious. But I am not inclined to dismiss anything without trying to find out the truth.

Another concern I have for filtering contaminated water is that used filters need to be handled and disposed of properly. I think that after the emergencies in Japan are lifted, we may be able to learn more about the proper way to safely dispose of the filters. Many radioactive particles have relatively short lives; for some, within two weeks particles will be rendered safe. So it may be just a matter of storing them temporarily in a place that is safely contained and protected from exposure.

I found it difficult to find scientific evidence that any of the claims I read about are true. Some of the authors sure sound convincing but many of them will profit from the knowledge they are sharing. How do you tell whose claims are based on real science and whose are purely speculation? The answer is not quite clear to me yet.

I’d love to hear from anyone who can help me filter out the facts from the myths.
Pun intended!

 

Update: January 10, 2013 The Vortex Non-electric Water Distiller Kit by Highwater Filters is now available. We have both kits installed in 5 gallon buckets and DIY kits available.

Posted in Water | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Katadyn Expedition High Capacity Water Filter System

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Hilary

Katadyn is well known for small portable water filters, but they also have a great water filter system for larger groups and higher capacity needs,  capable of filtering as much as one gallon per minute. The Katadyn Expedition Water Filter System is a high capacity free standing hand operated pump-action water filtration system used by the government, the military, and humanitarian relief organizations. It utilizes the very advanced Katadyn KFT ceramic depth filter element for maximum filtration. The Katadyn Expedition has the capacity to steadily filter large quantities of clean drinking water and is especially useful for larger groups of people in emergency situations.

Katadyn Expedition Water FilterThis Expedition water filter system is ideal for camping, hunting, fishing, boating, rafting, base camps, cabins, expeditions, and more. It is also useful in emergency situations and for relief workers. The Katadyn ceramic depth filter used in the Expedition removes bacteria, cysts, algae, protozoa, sediment, dirt, spores, some viruses, and other disease causing agents down to the ultra-fine 0.2 micron level. It also reduces any radioactive particles which may be present.

Drink safely from streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, springs, and other freshwater sources. The Katadyn Expedition water filter will reduce microorganisms (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, etc.) that cause diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, etc.

Katadyn 8016389 KFT Expedition Water Filter System Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 23″ x 8″
  • Weight: About 11.5 Pounds
  • Micron Rating: 0.2 Micron
  • Output: About 1 Gallon Per Minute
  • Includes: Prefilter and Carrying Bag
  • KFT Ceramic Filter Life: Approx. 26,000 Gallons
  • Filter Media: Katadyn 1040 KFT Ceramic Depth Filter (0.2 Micron)
  • Material of Construction: Nickel-plated brass and stainless steel
  • NATO #: 4610123490574

Katadyn water filters are used by NATO, the U.S. military, international militaries, and by relief agencies like the Red Cross which utilize Katadyn filters in disaster relief and emergency situations where clean water is scarce.

 

 

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Japan Disaster Relief Donation to Architecture for Humanity

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Hilary

It’s been 13 days now since the tragic events in Japan unfolded following a 9.0 magnitude earthquake centered near Sendai. All hope for any additional survivors is gone, short of a miracle. The threat of further radiation leakage from the damaged nuclear power plants is very much still real. The weather has been bitterly cold, the survivors have been mourning the terrible loss of at least 18,000 lives, and food supplies are in jeopardy of becoming contaminated.
The situation at ground zero is very bleak.
Amidst it all, there does emerge stories of rescue and survival that give us a morsel of hope and a grain of joyfulness. The Japanese are such a resilient people, but they have been tested beyond reason. I personally want to send out my very best wishes for recovery to all the people affected by this terrible tragedy.

Today marks a full week since I pledged to donate 10% of all sales from the Highwater Filters online store to disaster relief efforts in Japan for the rest of the month of March. I am happy to say, that as of this moment, I have donated $260 to help Japan recover from the earthquake. I mentioned last week that I discovered the website Charity Navigator and they do a good job of assessing different charities and give valuable information about how donations are spent and what type of services each charity provides. Groups are rated on efficiency and data is provided about administrative costs and salaries. I really found the tool useful to help me decide on where to send my support.

architecture for humanityAfter careful consideration, I have chosen Architecture for Humanity to send 10% of sales from the last week. They have a very high rating from Charity Navigator and I like that their two executives each make $85,000 annually, instead of the six digit figures of many of the CEOs of other charities. I like that they utilize volunteer professionals who can provide valuable services during emergencies. But what I really like is that these folks are already on the ground and working to help provide emergency support to build temporary structures for housing, medical facilities, schools, etc. It seems like a service that is sorely needed in Japan right now, and I am excited to help them.

Here is their mission statement:
Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. We are building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed. Each year 10,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity. Our advocacy, training and outreach programs impact an additional 50,000 people annually. We channel the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally. Our clients include community groups, aid organizations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations.

I have already made my first donation to Architecture for Humanity. Don’t worry though, I’ll be donating more on the 31st. So get your order in for one of our Katadyn portable water filter products and I will add 10% of your total purchase to the next donation.
Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in World | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments