How do Aquatabs Work? The Science Behind Water Purification Tablets

By: Jessica Miller

Aquatabs: a fast-working water purification tablet that everyone knows and loves. However, not everyone understands how this helpful little tablet works. There are many questions about how these tablets are created and the specifics of how they work. So, here’s everything you need to know about the inner workings of the Aquatabs water purification tablets! 

Let’s start with the basics! Aquatabs is a World Health Organization (WHO) approved brand of water purification tablets that uses a type of chlorine-based disinfectant solution that dissolves in water to kill 99.999% of microorganisms that carry harmful diseases. Beyond this, Aquatabs is created using different chemical solutions that are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered, certified by National Science Foundation (NSF) International, and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

In essence, Aquatabs and the chemical solutions within them have been verily treated and tested by independent agencies around the world to make sure that they are safe for human and animal use. This blog post will provide a breakdown of every chemical present and how they all contribute to creating the Aquatabs water purification tablets that we know and trust.

NaDCC or Troclosene Chlorine

NaDCC is the most prevalent chemical component of Aquatabs water purification tablets. NaDCC stands for Troclosene sodium, also known as Sodium dichloroisocyanurate, which are essentially big, scientific words to describe a kind of chlorine that is safe for consumption.

This kind of chlorine is used as a cleansing agent in many fields, including the creation of water purification tablets. NaDCC works individually by releasing 56% of the chlorine it holds via small, white granules into water infested by harmful microorganisms and pathogens that could reside in any naturally occurring water source.

However, the miracle compound of NaDCC is not naturally occurring and is painstakingly created in labs across the world to protect the human body from various waterborne diseases. One of the chemicals used for the creation of NaDCC is hypochlorous acid.

HOCl1 or Hydrochloric Acid 1%

Hydrochloric Acid 1% or HOC1 is a chemically altered form of hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is a naturally occurring disinfectant that can be found in the human body. However, due to the fact that humans, as well as various animals, cannot fight off waterborne diseases, it is not surprising that hypochlorous acid, in its natural state, is not stable or efficient in fighting off dangerous microorganisms and pathogens on its own. 

Due to this weak and unstable state, hypochlorous acid has been artificially mutated to create the much more stable and potent Hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is an industrial grade corrosive mineral acid that is incredibly aggressive towards detected microorganisms and pathogens in water and metals used for cleaning. 

However, Hydrochloric acid is much too powerful for the average human body to handle. The corrosive properties of the acid would burn a human from the inside out. That is why NaDCC uses Hydrochloric acid 1% or HOC1, a much more refined and palatable version of the industrial grade cleaning material.

World Health Organization Testing and Evaluations

To ensure the safety of all who use Aquatabs, the water purification tablets are put through a test conducted  by the WHO in order to make sure that they are both safe to use and effective in purifying water. According to the WHO International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies Aquatabs Product Report, Aquatabs have been put through the Chlorine Disinfectant Technologies V 1.0 test, using WHO Water Treatment Technologies Protocols. This test was conducted using Challenge Test Waters, which are artificially created waters infested with microorganisms, pathogens, and brackish objects that are supposed to simulate surface water. 

The testing is conducted with nine samples of Aquatabs water purification tablets from different production locations and the simulated surface water. The results of this testing are graded with three tiers; one star, two stars, and three stars, which correlate to the amount of water cleaned using Aquatabs water purification tablets. 

Aquatabs received one star on their latest production cycle. This means that they met and exceeded expectations set to clear water of microorganisms and pathogens from dirty water. However, this means that Aquatabs can only treat water that is already cleared of brackish material. Aquatabs works in water purification for microorganisms that contain and transfer waterborne bacteria and viruses!

Application of Aquatabs

Aquatabs water purification tablets are carefully curated to protect and defend against waterborne diseases and are applied in a very specific manner. Aquatabs are a fast-working product, only taking about 30 minutes to purify water after application. The purification works through a release of chlorine, or NaDCC, into the dirty water. This purification process will last for more than 24 hours before needing to be applied again. 

Aquatabs also work in reference to how much water is available. Aquatabs come in a plethora of sizes that purify different amounts of water for different needs. For example, a single tablet of the Aquatabs 49mg tablets can work to freshen up to 0.5 gallons of water, while a larger dosage, such as a single tablet of the 397mg tablets, can work to freshen up to 4 gallons of water.

 Aquatabs In The Wild

Aquatabs are a perfect outdoor companion for any situation, whether it be for leisure or emergency use. Aquatabs are perfectly safe and sustainable water purification tablets that not only provide fresh drinking water, but also do it at no expense. The treated water will not have an affected taste or odor, nor will they leave a filmy or cloudy texture to the applied water. 

Aquatabs are also available to use for pregnant women, children, people with allergies, and animals. There is no Iodine present in the chemical components of Aquatabs.

Aquatabs water purification tablets can be used on any kind of water barring brackish water. The tablets are not hindered by temperature, salient levels, or source. On top of this, Aquatabs are also extremely long-lasting with a shelf-life of 5 years from the manufacture date. However, it is not recommended to use the tablets after the expiration date due to lower chlorine levels after that 5 year deadline.

Discover How Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets Can Work For You

We have been providing these fast-working, long-lasting water purification tablets for over 25 years in an effort to make fresh water more accessible for everyone.

Aquatabs offers a variety of products to assist your body in fighting off microbial waterborne diseases that include water purification tablets, as well as granules, water filters, water bottles, and Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation (WASH) Kits. 

To find out more about Aquatabs and our fight to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, visit our website. To find and browse our various products, visit our shop page. To find answers to any additional questions, visit our FAQ page.