Don't filter - Purify!
The patented, award-winning SolarBag ® produces safer, better tasting water than basic filtration products/water filters or
chlorine tablets, using sunlight-activated nanotechnology to eliminate more contaminants than any other portable purifier.
It delivers the most protection and peace of mind – it eliminates contaminants other products cannot.
simple to use
Fill a SolarBag ® with 3.5 liters of fresh water from any source through its included pre-filter. Then place the
SolarBag ® in direct sunlight or in any area open to the sky. The water is purified in 2-3 hours on a sunny
day or 4-6 hours on a cloudy day or if the source water is tea-colored. An indicator tells you when the
water is ready. A Pur-Blue process timer indicates that the purification process is complete. Drink the safe, purified water.
- It will not clog like a filter and no pumping or backwashing is needed.
- You can use it well over 500 times.
- It uses no chemicals so the water tastes great.
the science of photocatalytic purification
Inside the SolarBag ® is a nanotechnology coated mesh insert, which is activated by the UV rays of the
sun. This initiates five separate photocatalytic reactions in the water, which break down toxins at the
molecular level, to disinfect and detoxify the water.
- Chemicals are broken down to harmless minerals
- Metals are removed from the water and sequestered by the insert
- Pathogens are killed and rendered harmless
certifications
The SolarBag ® has received the following certifications:
The SolarBag ® is a sunlight-activated reusable water purifier that destroys or removes the broadest range of
contaminants without pumping, power source, chemicals or replaceable components. Simply place the SolarBag ®
in the sun for a few hours, and enjoy safe water.
No other product available on the market will reduce as many contaminants, metals and pathogens as the SolarBag ®,
nor will it be as simple to use.
Inside the SolarBag ® is a nanotechnology coated mesh insert, which is activated by the UV rays of the sun.
This initiates a purification process which includes five separate photochemical actions addressing more
contaminants than any other portable water treatment product.
- Chemicals are broken down to harmless minerals
- Metals are removed from the water and sequestered by the insert
- Pathogens are killed and rendered harmless
The SolarBag ® treats up to 3.5 liters of water at a time, several times per day and can be reused hundreds of times.
The simple answer: Harmful metals such as arsenic, mercury, and chromium will be stuck onto the
surface of the mesh insert, thereby removing them from the water.
The technical answer: Transition and heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and chromium are vulnerable to
photo-reduction in the SolarBag ®. Reduced metals are attracted to the positively charged surface of the
catalyst and are removed from the water by adsorbing to the catalyst surface.
The Puralytics® SolarBag ® requires only sunlight to treat water. Treatment is fastest with
intense sunlight and is further accelerated with increasing water temperature. Sunny days
in tropical latitudes are ideal. In higher latitudes or with murky water or with overcast
skies, water treatment takes longer. We recommend performing the Pur-Blue Integrity Test
outlined on the next page to determine treatment time. Water is treated when the blue color is gone.
On a clear, warm, sunny day the SolarBag ® will destroy harmful microbes and chemicals in 2-3
hours. As conditions become cloudy and cool, the energy from the sun is reduced and the time
required for purification can take closer to 4-6 hours.
Water from any fresh water source is suitable for the SolarBag ®. This typically includes rain water,
well water, lake water, and river water. For best results, the water should be clear.
No. The SolarBag ® is not a desalination system. Fill the SolarBag ® from fresh water
sources only. Monovalent monatomic anions (like chloride or fluoride) will not be
removed in a SolarBag ®.
Before use, the SolarBag ® has a dry shelf life of seven years. It should be stored in a dry
environment and kept out of direct sunlight.
Once the water has been purified, use it or pour it into a clean container for drinking or storage.
Replace the cap to keep the SolarBag ® clean.
The SolarBag ® has been tested to the US EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological
Water Purifiers for inactivation of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts in a challenge water
defined by the EPA. Under these testing procedures, the SolarBag ® killed more than 99.9999% of
all bacteria, 99.99% of all viruses and 99.9% of all protozoan cysts. It has also been
certified or approved for use by several foreign countries.
We recommend 3 hours in direct sunlight and 6 hours on a cloudy day. You can test the
performance of your SolarBag ® by performing a simple test using the food safe Pur-Blue
Process Timer. Simply add one drop of the Pur-Blue to the SolarBag ® after you have
filled it with water, then use the SolarBag ® as normal. When the blue water becomes
clear, the water has been treated.
Perform the Pur-Blue test (see number12 above) to determine if the SolarBag ® is still working.
The color will not degrade in the SolarBag ® in sunlight if it is no longer functioning properly.
If the blue color does not go away after a full day of sunlight exposure on a sunny day,
repeat the test for a second time for confirmation.
The nanotechnology coated insert is not consumed when the SolarBag ® is used--it merely serves
as a catalyst converting the solar energy to activate the purification processes. Do not
fold or crush the SolarBag ® during use or storage to prevent damage to the insert. With
proper handling, the SolarBag ® should last up to 500 cycles.
The pre-filter removes larger particles like grains of sand, leaves, and sediment from the
water as its being poured into the SolarBag ®. Tests have shown the pre-filter removes
particulates, as small as 100 microns.
Remove the cap and insert the pre-filter into the SolarBag ®. Stretch and fold the elastic to
secure it around the opening to the SolarBag ®. Pour the source water through the pre-filter
until the bag is full. Remove the pre-filter and replace the cap.
The pre-filter can be gently washed by hand or you can routinely rinse the pre-filter
as needed by folding it inside out and pouring water back through it.
The simple answer: The pre-filter was tested as part of the SolarBag ® to the US EPA Guide
Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers for inactivation of
bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts in a challenge water defined by the EPA.
The technical answer: The performance of the pre-filter was quantified in the US EPA Guide
Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers at the University of
Arizona which showed that the pre-filter alone reduced cryptosporidium oocysts by
more than 1.5-log in both general (low NTU) and EPA challenge waters (greater than
30 NTU). The residual microbes were always killed in the SolarBag ® following
filtration to the necessary EPA requirements for water purifiers (more than 99.9999%
of all bacteria, 99.99% of all viruses and 99.9% of all protozoan cysts) in all test cases.
As a general guideline, if you cannot see through the water in the SolarBag ®, it is
probably too turbid and another water source should be used. If another water source
is not available pour the turbid water into a separate container and allow the
suspended solids to settle before pouring the water into the SolarBag ®.
The simple answer: The SolarBag ® does not make all tea-colored water clear. The tea-color
typically results from two sources, either dissolved organics such as grass, leaves and
sticks; or suspended solids such as mud, fine sand, and silt. Any of the suspended
solids that get passed the pre-filter will not clear in the SolarBag ®.
The technical answer: The SolarBag ® does not make all turbid water clear. The turbidity typically
results from two sources: one, dissolved organics such as humic acids resulting from
decomposing biomass; or two, suspended solids such as mud, fine sand, clay and sediment.
The process works on dissolved organic contaminants and as such will only reduce turbidity
associated with those. Any turbidity due to suspended particles that pass through the
pre-filter will remain in the water when the process is complete.
For best results using the SolarBag ® the water should be clear. This typically includes
rain water, well water, lake water, and river water. It is important to remember that
turbid water does not necessarily indicate unsafe water. The SolarBag ® was tested in
turbid, dark colored water and met the EPA guidelines for a water purifier in those conditions.
The SolarBag ® was tested in turbid, dark colored water and met the EPA guidelines for a water
purifier in those conditions.
No. If the SolarBag ® leaks it should be properly discarded. The SolarBag ® is designed to be
durable under normal use, and to fail before the purification capacity of the SolarBag ®
is exceeded.
If there is a leak in the SolarBag ® or if it can no longer pass the Pur-Blue Integrity test in
sunlight, then the SolarBag ® is no longer working to Puralytics’ specifications and should
stop being used.
Cut the SolarBag ® open at the base and remove the mesh insert. Dispose of the insert as
non-toxic solid waste. The bag can then be recycled as Type 7 plastic (mixed). Check
with your local waste management provider to ensure proper disposal.
awards
The SolarBag ® has received vast recognition, including the following awards:
2014
Blue Tech Research
Disrupt-o-meter Award: Most Innovative and Disruptive Water Technology
Read the story
2013
Sustainable Business Oregon
Innovation in Sustainability Award
Read the story
2013
International Water Association
Project Innovation Awards - Development
Global Honour Award - Drinking Water Supply (Hardware)
Read the story
2010
Imagine H2O
Sustainable Solutions to Global Water Problems
Read the story
user reviews
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I used this solar water purifier in Uganda where is the past I had always drunk only bottled water. It apparently was very
effective, as I had no gastrointestinal or other ill effects. Highly recommended.
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We camp multiple times each season and prefer sites off the grid. Some have running water that is treated onsite, some are wells, some are open water sources. This year we used the SolarBag ® for our water purifier, and the water taste was significantly improved, was very simple to use, and we just put it out while we were doing something else. Two recommendations - let the water cool overnight and then fill your water bottles in the morning, and use a pan or something to scoop from the stream and pour into the SolarBag ®.
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I used this filter on a climb of Mt Whitney in California. In the bright sunlight it purified the water in a little over two hours with little or no discernible aftertaste. It is smaller and lighter than other filters so it is easy to slip into the backpack and doesn't add any significant weight.
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The SolarBag ® is a filter that requires no maintenance, can carry and clean 3 liters, and kills or removes every single harmful containment, including pesticides. It is reusable a couple hundred times (over 1000 liters). I use my SolarBag ® on week-long central Oregon motorcycle camping trips. It is great to be able to fill the bag up in a beautiful lake, stream or creek, let it sit in the sun for a couple hours, then drink tasty clean water. The price per liter on the SolarBag ® is the lowest of any filtering system I have seen. I highly recommend it for camping, backpacking, hiking, or emergency kits.
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The Best Investment that i made ever towards my health and i recouped this money in about 3 hiking trips. I Strongly recommend Solarbag ®. I also use this at home. I bought two of them and use it at home for drinking water treatment. I live in Seattle, WA and it really treats water even in cloudy days. Thanks to inventors.. now i stopped buying water bottles from Costco saving around $60/month. It's an ultimate buy. Go Solarbag ®!!!
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Our team of five travelled to Malawi in 2012 with SolarBags. We filled them with water along our journey and never once had a problem. Not relying on bottled water is huge! While we were out meeting with people, the water was being purified in our SolarBag ®. I would TOTALLY recommend this product and I am confident it will give me clean/safe water no matter the water source.
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In a temporary emergency situation -- storm, earthquake, etc. -- tap water may be suspect or even unavailable. Water can be boiled, of course, but this item provides a supplementary water purification process, at least in summer. Good for campers, too. Water is your first requirement, before food and all the neat equipment. This has no moving parts, needs no batteries, and will work as long as there's lots of sun.
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Clean water not at all being a common thing in West Africa, I first bought 1 SolarBag ® as a try-out. We just love it! It's easy to use - especially in countries like Mali with lots of sun - and drinking water has become a pleasure. We have now ordered 5 additional ones. A start towards adding them to all Papillon Reizen's travel kits. Highly recommend this product as well as Puralytics for the great way they serve their customers!
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It makes good sense to have a portable source of water purification. Also, it does not require any power other than light
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My brother and I have been using the Puralytics SolarBag ® water purifier on our backcountry trips for a while now, and it's a great product to have along, especially if you are doing day treks from a central camp - fill it up, find a sunny spot and let the SolarBag ® work its magic. Come back every afternoon to clean water. It packs up really easily, and it's light and no trouble at all to carry.
I can imagine it's great for emergency situations, too, as others have mentioned. There's no power required, no attention needed, and it will work anywhere there's sunlight. Great product!
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Went on a camping trip,an tried it first day with stream water in colorado mountains .After letting set in full sun for about 5 hours had a cup ....tasted clean an fresh.
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It does its job. I recommend it to anybody who wishes to filter water in the wild. It will help you.
resources
The following brochures contain many more details about the SolarBag:
SolarBag
The easiest way to purify water.
SolarBag Emergency Response
Be ready for any disaster.
SolarBag Mission Team
Get safe water anywhere in the world.
international missions teams
Safe water. It’s your team’s biggest health risk. Water bottled in developing countries isn’t reliably safe.
Portable filters, tablets and boiling can’t remove the chemical toxins and many of the viruses present in
the water in the developing world, but the SolarBag ® does.
- You can use it well over 500 times
- It keeps purifying as long as the water is stored in the SolarBag ®
- It will not clog like a filter and no pumping or backwashing is needed
- It uses no chemicals so the water tastes great
- It delivers peace of mind – you will always be ready for even the worst situation
- You can leave SolarBags with the community when you leave, providing them safe water!
natural disasters
SolarBag ® is ideal for quick deployment and longer term water access. It weighs under 4 ounces, p
acks flat, stores and transports compactly in bulk in a fraction of the time and at a small
fraction of the cost of larger, bulkier alternatives like bottled water or containerized
powered water treatment units.
One shipping pallet of SolarBags weighing only 250 pounds will deliver 1.5 million liters of purified
water! It would take a C-130 cargo planes full of bottled water to deliver that much water.
- You can use it well over 500 times
- It keeps purifying as long as the water is stored in the SolarBag ®
- It will not clog like a filter and no pumping or backwashing is needed
- It uses no chemicals so the water tastes great
- It delivers peace of mind – you will always be ready for even the worst situation
- You can leave SolarBags with the community when you leave, providing them safe water!
be prepared
How will you get safe water to drink after an earthquake, a chemical spill, a hurricane or other
disaster? You could filter or boil it. But, neither will protect you from the toxic mix of chemicals,
bacteria and virus that can enter the water supply after a disaster.
Don’t filter, purify!
- You can use it well over 500 times
- It keeps purifying as long as the water is stored in the SolarBag ®
- It will not clog like a filter and no pumping or backwashing is needed
- It uses no chemicals so the water tastes great
- It delivers peace of mind – you will always be ready for even the worst situation
recreational
Are you thirsty for adventure? SolarBag ® is your best companion. Camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, any outdoor
activity will be safer if you carry a SolarBag ®.
- You can use it well over 500 times
- It keeps purifying as long as the water is stored in the SolarBag ®
- It will not clog like a filter and no pumping or backwashing is needed
- It uses no chemicals so the water tastes great
- It delivers peace of mind – you will always be ready for even the worst situation
purchase
Let us know how many SolarBags ® you want to purchase and where you want to send them and we will give you a special quote.
