Savior Bud: The next step forward in potable water technology

The availability of drinking water is still, incredibly, an issue around the world in 2009. Some sources put the statistic of people who do not have easy access to potable water hovering around 90 percent, with Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Asia the most at-risk regions on Earth. It has been estimated that globally only 27% of the rural population has water piped directly to their homes and 24% rely on unimproved sources. And while the problem may not seem relevant in first-world nations like the US recent droughts, especially in the South and Southwest, some beg to differ.

 

Contaminated, non-drinkable water comes from sources that contain pathogens or unacceptable levels of dissolved chemicals or suspended solids and are often the cause of life-threatening disease in various parts of the world. An Encyclopedia of Public Health report on waterborne diseases states, “In 2006, waterborne diseases were estimated to cause 1.8 million deaths each year while about 1.1 billion people lacked proper drinking water.” The elixir of life really is plain old water, provided it’s safe to drink. But between drought and contamination finding sustainable solutions to an age-old problem can be elusive.

 

A new device called the Savior Bud is taking a step towards eradicating the world’s thirst wherever possible.   The small capsule is made of silicone rubber and does not corrode or oxidize which makes it long-lasting and ideally suited to even the harshest of climates. The bud creates water naturally after being wrapped around the outside of a tree leaf, with broader leaves being the best choice.  According to the instructions the device fastens to the leaf, and within approximately four hours the excretion process from the leaf’s moisture will produce about one cup of water. The tweezer-like end of the oblong pod can then be rotated and used as a faucet, releasing the accumulated water. 

 

While the Savior Bud is admittedly just a new twist on an old idea (the same effect can be achieved using a plastic bag) its design maximizes efficiency and its materials are exceptionally durable, meaning its lifespan is significantly longer than that of common plastic. Furthermore, while the bud admittedly doesn’t have a filter its purpose-built design lowers the risk of contamination that exists with using a multi-purpose bag. 

 

The retail cost and availability of device haven’t been disclosed yet by the bud’s designers, Kim Hyo Jin and Seol Ah Sun, but their initial launch information suggests they are aware of the boon this could be to people in underdeveloped regions desperately in need of potable water. With the need for drinking water still so prevalent in so many parts of the globe this innovative design could be the first step to quenching the collective thirst of millions.

 

For more information on the Savior Bud click here and here.