Water bottle’s plunger-style filter purifies instantly

The list of reasons to avoid bottled water seems to grow longer every day. While much of the controversy so far has focused on plastic waste and BPA, Australian Half a Teaspoon wants the world to realize another simple fact: namely, that it takes at least 3 litres of water to make just one litre of bottled water. That’s the motivation behind both the creation and the name of 321 Water, a reusable water bottle with a built-in filtration system. Unlike the Hydros Bottle, which we featured last week, the 321 Water bottle uses a French press-style plunger mechanism with a built-in carbon block filter. Made from recyclable materials, the wide-mouthed bottle can be filled from any tap. Then, users simply push the plunger down to the bottom of the bottle, and the filter removes any chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odours in an instant, leaving the water ready to drink. The 500 mL, screw-top 321 Water bottle is dishwasher-safe and BPA-free; each replaceable filter lasts for 50 L, or 100 uses. The 321 Water bottle won the People’s Choice Award on ABC TV’s New Inventors series this summer. Introductory pricing on the bottle is AUD 32.10, but Half a Teaspoon needs 10,000 Australian orders before it can begin production; delivery is anticipated by the end of March 2010. One to partner with now to help make that happen…? (Related: Thirsty New Yorkers invited to refill their water bottles at cafés.) Spotted by: David Haddock