In many areas of the world the water crisis is not an issue of scarcity — it’s an issue of providing access to a clean supply. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation kills thousands of people every year, while countless others struggle to meet their basic needs. To assist the third world in confronting this issue, three industrial designers — Jung Uk Park, Myeong Hoon Lee, and Dae Youl Lee — have come up with the Life Sack, an ingenious water purification device that does double duty as a container for shipping grains and other food staples. Once the food has been received, the sack can be used as a solar water purification kit.
Donating grains and other staples packed in sacks is not uncommon for charities. Based on this practice, the life sack provides the same service, initially carrying food. Once the grain has been stored, individuals are able to use the sack as a water purification kit. The Life sack uses SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection Process) technology to filter contaminated water — UV-A-radiation and the bag’s thermal treatment process work to kill deadly microorganisms and bacteria in water. As an added bonus, the sack can also be worn like a backpack for quick and easy movement from the source to the community.