Have you heard of the LifeStraw? It’s a small water filter designed for one person that removes virtually all bacteria and parasites from unclean water. It has saved lives all over the world during natural disasters, helped areas with unclean drinking water, and even won awards for how effective it is.
But of course we had one question for the LifeStraw: can it make pee drinkable? If it’s truly such an amazing device, can it make drinkable water during the worst possible circumstances?
We put it to the test, so read on to see if a LifeStraw will need to be part of your zombie apocalypse kit.
Before we get started, here’s what a LifeStraw looks like:
▼ Unfortunately it does not currently come in curly-straw form.
The device is actually quite amazing. It can filter up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water, enough for one person to last a year. Of course, we won’t be drinking nearly that much, unless our brave Japanese taste-tester P.K. Sanjun really has to go.
▼ Here he is, prepped and ready with one cup of pee for testing. How was it…?
▼ Mmm…still tastes like pee!
Unfortunately this taste-test ended up being a failure. While the LifeStraw may remove all parasites and bacteria, it does nothing about salt. It cannot be used to make ocean water or other salt water drinkable, and since urine typically has a high salt level, it’s going to be like drinking from a salt shaker.
Also the LifeStraw does nothing about taste either. It’s still going to taste like pee no matter what. That may be an issue.
Here’s the video of P. K.’s taste-test, if you want to see human suffering in action:
It seems like the search will have to go on for a portable device to turn pee into drinkable water. Until then we’ll all just have to settle for drinking cans of princess urine, going to urine cafes, and playing urine video games. It’s a wonderful, urine-filled world out there, and we’ve only just started to drink it all in.
What happens if you make instant noodles with Coca-Cola instead of water?
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Starbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]