SpaTap

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$25.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product is sold directly from the manufacturer to individuals. For humanitarian purposes, it is sold to and distributed by NGOs and governmental agencies such as International Transformation Foundation (ITF) in Kenya and The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It has been used in emergency settings in Vanatau and Nepal.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Tye Works Advanced Hand Wash System and TippyTap.

Regions

Worldwide

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced in Australia by SpaTap. The production capacity is 20,000 or 60,000 SpaTaps per months depending on which production machine they use.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

SpaTap is sold directly to individuals from SpaTaps webpage. It is purchased in bulk and distributed to end users for free or at a low cost by NGOs and government agencies for humanitarian purposes. For example, the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have purchased large shipments from SpaTap to use in response to international humanitarian crisis.

Distributions to Date Status

Over 100,000interview with manufacturer

Design Specifications

The SpaTap measures 9cm x 9cm and is made of UV Stable, food & water grade silicone. The hanging strap is made from Velcro and it has a nylon cord and a cord lock toggle.

The SpaTap is attached to the opening of a bottle(works for different sizes and materials). Water flows from holes in the tap as the user opens the tap. There are 4 different flow modes, hence the user can adjust how fast water will flow depending on the purpose of use. With the slowest mode it takes about 13 minutes to empty a 1.25 L bottle, which is enough for up to 100 hand washes. (the flow rate is also dependent on what type of size the lid of the bottle has, therefore different numbers of times concerning emptying of the same amount of water can be found)interview with manufacturer

Technical Support

Contact the manufacturer

Replacement Components

This product is one piece and one strap. The most likely need for replacement is the strap, which may break, but can be purchased separately or assembled by the user on their own.

Lifecycle

Made to last for a lifetime and hence there are no disposal guidelines. Manufacturer claims it can be recycled and if burned the silicone will be reduced to a non toxic ash^{interview with manufacturer.}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

A strength test has shown that a van can drive over SpaTap and it remains functional to dispense water. On the slowest setting, a 1.25 L bottle should last for about 13 minutes or up to 100 hand washes. A 15 litre bottle can dispense a shower that lasts 2 hours and 36 minutes Furthermore, the manufacturer claims the product to be easy to use and appealing to children.^{interview with manufacturer}

Vetted Performance Status

None

Safety

None

Complementary Technical Systems

Water bottle, Strap

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The manufacturer has had no experiences of problems with local regulations^{interview with manufacturer}

Evaluation methods

Evaluation of the product performance is done by flow rates, number of hand washes per liter water, cost, lifetime and user friendliness.

Other Information

SpaTap is mentioned as an emerging WASH technology in the Humanitarian Innovation Funds report "WASH in emergencies, problem exploration report"

An example of SpaTap mentioned in media: Growthbusiness

A video of the product can be found here