Reviews > Water Treatment > Chemical Treatment > KlearWater > Jennifer Koles > Initial Report

Reviewer Information

Name:  Jennifer Koles

Age:  31

Gender:  Female

Height:  5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)

Weight: 140 lb (64 kg)

Email address: jennksnowy at yahoo dot com

City, State, and Country: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Backpacking Background

Product Information

The KlearWater Water Treatment comes packaged in a transparent plastic cylindrical container. The container is used for storing the water treatment and for mixing small amounts of the chemical with water, such as preparing a mouth rinse. The container contains a small spoon to measure 1 ml (0.03 fl oz) of the product.

Manufacturer: XiniX Corporation

Year of Manufacture: 2006

Manufacturer’s Website: http://www.klearwater.com

Listed Weight: 3 oz (85 g)

Weight as Delivered: 3.10 oz (88 g) including container and spoon; container  0.40 oz (11 g); bottle including full amount of water treatment 2.70 oz (77 g)

Fluid Amount: 1 oz (30 ml)

MSRP:  $12.95 US currency (obtained from the manufacturer by email)

Dimensions of container: 3.35 in x 1.38 in (8.5 cm x 3.5 cm)

Warranty: "Seller warrants that product conforms to chemical description. No other warranties are expressed or implied, including warranties for a particular purpose or use."

Ingredients: Active Chlorine Dioxide 0.15% and Inert Ingredients 99.85%

Product Description

Manufacturer Description Obtained from Website:

Ready-to-use Chlorine Dioxide:

KlearWater contains only pure, active Chlorine Dioxide suspended in de-ionized water. This active formula allows it to work quickly to eliminate bacteria and viruses. KlearWater does not require messy mixing of chemicals or waiting for tablets to dissolve as with other Chlorine Dioxide products. KlearWater is ready to use directly from the bottle, it’s convenient, fast acting and economical.

Multi-Use:

KlearWater is multi-purpose. This feature extends the usefulness of KlearWater and provides the user with a highly versatile product. KlearWater is effective as a surface cleaner for a variety of purposes, including washing fruits and vegetables, utensils, even hands! The KlearWater formula has been proven by university studies as an effective oral rinse and can also be used as an emergency wound rinse.

Maintains Containers/Hydration Packs/Filters:

Regular use of KlearWater also helps extend the life of hydration packs and other water containers by preventing growth of mold, bacteria and biofilm. KlearWater can also help keep filters free of harmful pathogens. The multi-use features of KlearWater make it the ideal product to include in all hiking, camping, and travel gear.

Directions (noted by the manufacturer):

Instructions on paper insert:

Oral rinse: Mix 1 ml (0.03 fl oz) with 1 oz (30 ml) of water, immediately rinse mouth for 30+ seconds.

Hand Wash: Apply 1 ml (0.03 fl oz) to hands, rub hands together to wet thoroughly, air dry. KlearWater may be diluted with an equal amount of water if desired.

Surface Cleaner: Mix 1 ml (0.03 fl oz) with 1 oz (30 ml) water, thoroughly wet surface air dry.

Emergency Wound Wash: Use 1 ml (0.03 fl oz), rinse affected area immediately. KlearWater may be diluted with an equal amount of water if desired.

Instructions on bottle:

Fill cap to band (1ml) (0.03 fl oz). Pour contents of cap into 1 liter (1 qt) of water. Mix and wait 15 minutes to drink. For cloudy or suspect water, add 2 ml (0.07 fl oz) per liter (qt) and wait 30 min.

Manufacturer did note on an enclosed letter that the cap does not have a band at the 1 ml (0.03 fl oz) level. The total capacity of the cap is 2 ml (0.07 fl oz). Label instructions will be changed on all KlearWater production in the future to update the information on use.

Initial Impression

To open the container you pop the lid open with your fingers. The container stores the water treatment bottle and the measuring spoon. When I opened the container I noticed a slight odor of Chlorine. Upon opening the bottle I noted a strong distinct Chlorine scent.

I mixed 0.02 fl oz (0.5 ml) of KlearWater in 16 oz (0.47 L) of tap water. I let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. I noticed the slightest scent of Chlorine from the mixture, it was hardly noticeable. I drank the water and it had no taste, so I would consider it tasteless.

Testing Strategy

I will test the KlearWater Water Treatment primarily in the state of Utah. The tests would occur in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges and in the southern portion of the state. Some testing will occur in the states of Montana and Wyoming.

I currently own a carbon water filtration system that occupies a significant amount of space in my pack. Since I am attempting to reduce my pack weight, it would be ideal to carry a water treatment system that is compact and weighs little. Once in the past I tried iodine tablets on a backpacking trip. I was unsuccessful with this type of water treatment due to the unfavorable taste.

I will test the effectiveness of this type of water treatment in various temperatures and water conditions. I will also test the primary (water treatment) and secondary uses (hand sanitizer, oral rinse, wound irrigation, surface and item cleaning) of the product.

Testing Locations

• The water treatment will be primarily tested in the mountainous region of northern Utah. Most elevation ranges in the Utah Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges are between 9,000-10,000 ft (2700-3000 m). The average temperature in these mountain ranges at 9,000 ft (2700 m) during the winter and early spring months is 10 F (-12 C). The average temperature during the mid to late spring months is 35 F (2 C). The average amount of snowfall is 500 in (13 m) in the Wasatch Mountain Range.

• During the winter and spring months I frequently overnight camp in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The climate in this area is dry during the winter and early spring months and the temperatures average 40 F (4 C) during the day. The elevation in this area is generally 5000 ft (1500 m) with ranges of a few hundred feet.

• During the month of July I am planning a climbing /backpacking trip to the Grand Teton in Wyoming. The elevation at the summit is 13770 feet (4198 m). The temperatures vary significantly due to the elevation gain. The average temperatures in July are 40 F (4 C) to 76 F (24C) depending on the elevation level. It is a necessity for me to pack light on this trip due to the amount of climbing gear I need to carry.

• In early April of 2006 I am participating in a cycling tour in Yellowstone National Park. The tour starts in West Yellowstone, Montana (elevation of 6667 ft (2000 m)) and ends at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (elevation of 8850 ft (2700 m)). The average daytime temperature in the park in April is 35-40 F (1.67-4 C). The temperatures during the night are below freezing. The park averages 150-400 in (4-10m) of snowfall per year. Last year I carried a large amount of water due to the fear I would run out. I did not have enough room in my cycling pack to transport my water filer. This would be an ideal situation to test KlearWater due to the fact that it does not require much storage space. I could also decrease my bicycle weight since I would not have the need to transport the amount of water I did the previous year.

Test Plan

• Evaluate how the water tastes. Is there any aftertaste? Is there any noticeable unpleasant or pleasant taste to the water? Does it mix well with hydration mixes? Does it alter the taste? If there is a taste, can I mask it with a drink mix? Does the water have an odor after using this product?

• Does KlearWater freeze? What are the proper storage techniques? How long does the product hold its effectiveness?

• Is the product truly ready to use? Is there any mixing involved?

• Does the container leak? Does the container allow for easy pouring (any drips or spills)? Is the container easy to open and close?

• Does the yellow color disappear when the product has eliminated the nastiness in the water that I do not want to drink?

• How much is needed to clean a liter of water? How long does it take to clean a liter of water? Test various water conditions: dirty, semi muddy (Colorado River), cloudy, stagnant water. This would also be tested in various water temperatures.

• What is the effectiveness when used as a wound wash? Does it burn the cut or wound? Is there a reaction when the chemical comes in contact with the wound (fizzing, bubbles, and increased redness)?

• Can I use it as a hand cleaner without experiencing a burning sensation on my skin? Do my hands feel clean after using this product on them? Are they sticky?

• What is the effectiveness when used diluted as an oral rinse? Do I still have to brush my teeth (I most likely would anyway)?

• How does it perform diluted to clean cookware and utensils? Is there a residue on the items that I clean?

Remarks

Thank you KlearWater and XiniX for providing me with the opportunity to test the KlearWater Water Treatment. I will test the above stated factors and any other issues that may arise during the test.

Reviews > Water Treatment > Chemical Treatment > KlearWater > Jennifer Koles > Initial Report