Agriculture
January 11, 2024
iSSF (Intermittently Operated Slow Sand Filtration System)
Read SolutionImplemented by
Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies (CAWST)
Updated on December 27, 2023
·Created on August 1, 2019
BeFree Water Filtration System is a foldable water reservoir pack with an integrated filter.
The BeFree Water Filtration System 3.0 L is a 3.0 L gravity powered or hand-operated squeeze filter reservoir pack with a 0.1 micron hollow fiber filter that filters up to 2 L of unfiltered water per minute. It is designed to remove protozoa (99.99%) and bacteria (99.9999%) from fresh water from clear lakes, rivers, streams, faucets or fountain, and made for outdoor activities such as backpacking, camping and hikes or for emergency preparedness. This product was designed by Katadyn, a Switzerland-based company with distribution dealers in Europe, North America and Asia.
Target SDGs
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Market Suggested Retail Price
$59.90
Target Users (Target Impact Group)
Household
Distributors / Implementing Organizations
BeFree Water Filtration System is available for direct purchase online at Amazon, REI and Campsaver. The Katadyn website also provides a store finder of Katadyn dealers around the world according to location. This product has been used by NGOs, militaries, and by the Katadyn group in collaboration with organizations such as World Hope International for disaster relief.
Manufacturing/Building Method
The BeFree Water Filter is produced by Katadyn which is headquartered in Wallisellen-Zurich, Switzerland. Approximately 4000 units are manufactured per week at the assembly plant in Kemptthal, Switzerland.
Intellectural Property Type
Trademark
User Provision Model
This product can be purchase from different Katadyn dealers around the world and is available for direct purchase online at websites such as Amazon, REI and Campsaver.
Distributions to Date Status
Unknown
Target use case
Individual use
Manufacturer-specified flow rate (L/hr)
Up to 120 (2.0 L/min)
Bacteria reduction
Removes 99.9999%
Type of membrane filtration
Microfiltration
Virus reduction
The Katadyn BeFree™ does not remove viruses
Protozoa reduction
Removes 99.99% protozoa
Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction
Unknown
Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)
Only works with water from clear lakes, rivers, streams, faucets or fountain
Effluent turbidity levels (NTU)
Unknown (Only works with water from clear lakes, rivers, streams, faucets or fountain)
Material of construction
Materials of this product are EZ-Clean Membrane™ with Hollow Fibers made of Polysulphan and Hydrapak® SoftFlask made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), 100% PVC and BPA free.
Safe water storage capacity (L)
None
Manufacturer-specified lifetime volume (L)
Up to 1000 L (depending on unfiltered water quality)
Design Specifications
The Katadyn BeFree™ Water filtration system 3 L is composed of a hydrapak soft flask with markings on the bag up to 3 L, a drink nozzle and a 0.1 micron EZ-clean membrane hollow fiber style filter. It has a 43 mm wide-mouth opening between the hydrapak and the filter for filling the bag with water from any lake, river, stream or faucet and has two holes for hanging and a handle to carry (see manual). It weighs 100 g (3.5 oz)(dry) and ?133 g (4.7 oz)(wet), with dimensions 230 x 75 x 440.7 mm (9.0 x 2.9 x 17.6 in).
Technical Support
There is no technical support provided and users are expected to follow the filter’s performance tips to properly maintain the filter, clean it, test it and define if any components require replacement to ensure best product performance.
Replacement Components
Replaceable components include the Ez-clean membranes , which can be purchased for ?30 USD and are available from the dealer where the Katadyn BeFree™ was purchased.
Lifecycle
This product includes a 2 year warranty from defects in materials and workmanship and has an expected lifetime of 1000 L or 264 galons, after which the EZ-clean membrane must be replaced, as explained in the product manual.
Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters
This product is designed to reduce 99.9999% bacteria and 99.99% protozoan cysts, commonly found in fresh water sources. It is designed to have a flow rate of 2 L per minute and to have a lifetime capacity of up to 1000 L of filtered water.
Vetted Performance Status
Bachema AG, Switzerland laboratories for microbiological parameters.
Safety
Potential hazards related to the improper use of this product or of the use of a damaged or contaminated Ez-Clean membrane include exposure to harmful microorganisms and increased risk of contracting a gastrointestinal illness.
Complementary Technical Systems
No complementary technical systems are mentioned by the manufacturer.
Academic Research and References
“Katadyn Group,” Katadyngroup.com. Available: https://www.katadyngroup.com/int/en#storefinder
Katadyn BeFree 3.0L Water Filter, Fast Flow, 0.1 Micron EZ Clean Membrane for Personal or Small Group Camping, Backpacking or Emergency Preparedness (8019640).
“Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System with 3L Flask 8019640,” CampSaver. Available: https://www.campsaver.com/katadyn-befree-water-filtration-system-with-3l-flask.html
“Katadyn Group,” Katadyngroup.com. Available: https://www.katadyngroup.com/int/en#storefinder
“Humanitarian Aid,” Katadyngroup.com. Available: https://www.katadyngroup.com/int/en/applications/Humanitarian0Aid~a5149/overview
“Water Filtration,” Sawyer.com. Available: https://sawyer.com/
“Squeeze Water Filtration System,” Sawyer.com. Available: https://sawyer.com/
“HydroBlu Water Filters,” Hydroblu.com. Available: https://hydroblu.com/water-filters/ “SurviMate,” SurviMate. Available: https://www.survimate.com/
“Water Filtration Systems for Camping and Travel,” Platy.com. Available: https://www.platy.com/ie/filtration
“GravityWorksTM Replacement Filter,” Platy.com. Available: https://www.platy.com/ie/platypus-accessories/gravityworks-replacement-filter/07016.html
“Goal 6,” Sdgs.un.org. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6
“Page not found,” Outside Online. Available: https://www.outsideonline.com/
“Katadyn Group,” Katadyngroup.com. Available: https://www.katadyngroup.com/int/en
“Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System – 3 Liter,” REI Co-op. Available: https://www.rei.com/product/100657/katadyn-befree-water-filtration-system-3-liter
“error404,” Katadyngroup.com. Available: https://cdn.katadyngroup.com/assets/Downloads/katadyn/factsheets/filters/8018008_BeFree%203.0L_en.pdf
“IEH – Leader in Product & Food Laboratory Testing – Fast Results,” IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group – The Institute for Environmental Health – Food Safety Laboratories, 14-Mar-2022. Available: https://www.iehinc.com/
CAWST, “Manufacturer Sheet: The Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Series. Ultralight and Fast Water Filtra.,” Manufacturer Sheet: The Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Series. Ultralight and Fast Water Filtra… | Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage Knowledge Base. Available: https://www.hwts.info/document/d3b9055d/the-katadyn-befree-water-filter-series-ultralight-and-fast-water-filtration
“Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 1L,” Katadyngroup.com. Available: https://www.katadyngroup.com/int/en/8018007~p6735
“ISPO Award 2017 Category Outdoor,” ISPO.com. Available: https://www.ispo.com/en/awards/ispo-award/winners/2017/outdoor
Compliance with regulations
According to Katadyn, the BeFree™ Water filter meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) microbiological water purifier standards for reduction of bacteria (99.9999% Klebsiella terrigena) and protozoan cysts (99.9% Giardia and Cryptosporidium). See product information file.
Evaluation methods
Material and microbiological tests performed by Bachema Ag, Switzerland laboratories.
Other Information
The 3.0L Befree™ Water filtration system is based on previous award-winning versions: The 0.6L BeFree Water Filtration system which won the 2017 backpackers choice awards, and the 1.0L which was a Gold winner of the 2016/2017 ISPO awards. The 3.0L BeFree™ Water filtration system has a promotional video by the KatadynGroup, and is featured in other videos where is it was reviewed and compared to other similar products.
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