Drink This Book
This book is also a water filter, and it might just revolutionize water purification all across the globe.
Created by global nonprofit organization Water is Life in collaboration scientists from the University of Virginia and Carnegie Melon University, this “drinkable manual” aims to revolutionize water purification as a means of tackling the global water crisis.
Each year, 3.4 million people die of waterborne diseases such as Cholera, E coli, and Typhoid. Yet most don’t even realize just how dangerous poor drinking water can be.
The book’s high-tech filtration paper, invented by chemist Dr. Theresa Dankovich, is the heart of the solution. Coated with silver nanoparticles (which give the paper that orange, earthy color), the pages of this special paper are filled tips on water safety, sanitation and hygiene aimed at educating water-deprived communities all around the world.
The pages of the book are coated with silver nanoparticles that are capable of killing waterborne diseases.
The water that passes through this filter is safe for human consumption.
“We are working on developing the books in a variety of languages and a variety of teaching methods,” says Kristine Bender, Water is Life president. “We’re sharing our message through training, storytelling and discussions in communities worldwide.” So far, the organization has focused on education materials in Swahili, Dagbani, Spanish, English, Kreole among others.
A book is the perfect medium for tackling the global water crisis, according to Bender. “The paper can be created in many forms and potential designs” she says, “but the value and emotion that the gift of a book stirs – is priceless.”
Each book costs only a couple of dollars to produce, and can provide up to four years of safe drinking water for a water-deprived community. Water is Life will begin distributing the books in early 2015 to India, Haiti, Kenya and Ghana.
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