The solution to clean drinkable water in developing nations lies between the pages of a book. Quite literally, with The Drinkable Book.

The Drinkable Book is more than just an ordinary book. Contained within is educational information about the importance of water sanitation, written in multiple languages. But the real innovation are the pages themselves; tear one out, and the thick, specially treated paper can be used as a filter to kill waterborne diseases.

This brilliant idea was invented by Dr. Theresa Dankovich, a chemist at McGill University & University of Virginia, in collaboration with the charity Water is Life. Ken Surritte, the founder of Water is Life, said of the project:

“A staggering 3.4 million people die each year from a water related disease and, in most of the cases, the victims didn’t know the water was unsafe to drink in the first place. Therefore, ‘The Drinkable Book’ isn’t just a tool that purifies water, it teaches proper sanitation, too.”

To create The Drinkable Book, Water is Life teamed up with DDB North America for the design and packaging. The first edition of is intended for use in Kenya, and has been printed in English and Swahili languages.

How Does The Drinkable Book Work?

The pages of The Drinkable Book are coated with silver nanoparticles which kill 99% of all typhoid, cholera and E. coli bacteria.

The process works by tearing out a page, inserting it into the custom 3D printed container, and then pouring the contaminated water through it.

Once filtered, the water quality is comparable to tap water in the US. When not in use, the container also doubles as a jacket for the book.

Each filter is capable of giving someone up to 30 days worth of clean water. A single book is capable of providing someone with clean water for up to one year. And best of all, the pages can be produced cheaply for very little cost.

Field tests are still being conducted, and the team hope to have a commercial release for The Drinkable Book at the end of the year. If you’d like to help with raising funds, you can visit the website for more information or make a donation.