Limited Time
Seawater to fresh water
QuenchSea 3.0
A hand-powered seawater desalinator. Drop the hose in the sea, work the lever, and drinking water comes out the other side. No electricity, fuel, batteries or solar.
6–8 L/hr
Fresh water (1.6–2.1 US gal/hr)
$399
- Independently tested by Applus+
- 12-month limited warranty
- Test output before drinking
Running cost
What it costs to keep running
Every part that wears out is one you can replace yourself. Here is what each costs and how long it lasts.
RO membranes, 2-pack
Two spare SW1708 RO membranes, the desalination stage. The unit comes with one already fitted. Fits QuenchSea 3.0 only.
$60
Ultrafiltration pre-filters, 2-pack
Optional, and not included with the unit. Fit one for very murky or high-turbidity water: 0.01-micron hollow-fibre ultrafiltration traps fine silt, suspended solids and microplastics before they reach the RO membrane, so the membrane lasts longer. Pack of two.
$40
TDS pen
Shows total dissolved solids (TDS) in ppm. Test your water before and after using QuenchSea, and check seawater salinity.
$40
Ceramic and stone pre-filters, 2-pack
Coarse 20-micron ceramic and stone pre-filter for visible sediment and floating material. The unit comes with one fitted, plus a mesh filter, so these are spares.
$20
Membrane life
How long the RO membrane lasts depends on the water quality and how well the unit is maintained. In murky water, the optional ultrafiltration pre-filter helps it last longer.
Storing it for years
Spare membranes last up to five years if kept dry and sealed. After each use, flush the unit with fresh water. No preservation chemicals are needed.
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See it work
Here it is working, start to finish.
One continuous take. Seawater in, a timer running, and a TDS reading of the water before and after.
6–8 L/hr
Fresh water (1.6–2.1 US gal/hr)
~20 L/hr
Seawater drawn in (~5.3 US gal/hr)
400–500 ppm
Typical output quality
~40 bar
Operating pressure (~580 psi)
Independently tested by Applus+ in October 2026: 7.5 L/hr measured, and 97.9% less dissolved solids in the output than in the seawater. See the test results
Output depends on the water
6–8 litres (1.6–2.1 US gallons) an hour. Saltier or colder water gives less.
Test before you drink
Partly desalinated seawater may not taste strongly salty, so don't judge by taste or look. Check the output with a TDS pen and only drink it below 1,000 ppm. Typical output is 400–500 ppm in suitable conditions. If you're unsure the water has been properly desalinated, don't drink it. In polluted coastal water, fit the optional ultrafiltration pre-filter.
How it works
How a hand lever desalinates seawater
Salt is dissolved in seawater, so no filter can catch it. Reverse osmosis pushes water through a membrane fine enough to hold the salt back. That needs about 40 bar (580 psi) of pressure, which is why most watermakers run on mains power.
- Intake hoseGoes in the sea and draws seawater in.
- Lever and pumpThe only power source. You supply all of it.
- Pre-filtersA ceramic and stone pre-filter and a mesh filter come fitted. They remove sand and silt to protect the membrane. For very murky water, add the optional ultrafiltration pre-filter, sold separately.
- RO membraneAt about 40 bar (580 psi), water crosses and salt stays behind.
- Energy recoveryPressurised brine pushes back on the piston to help the next stroke.
- Two outletsOne for fresh water, one returning brine to the sea.
Energy recovery is a standard technique in desalination. QuenchSea uses it to make a hand lever a workable power source.
Compare
An hour of water, side by side
What most liferafts carry today is a passive solar still. It makes 0.5 to 2 litres a day, which averages under a tenth of a litre an hour. Here is an hour of each.
Solar still, one hourAbout 20 to 80 ml (0.005 to 0.02 US gallons), averaged over a day. Direct sun only
QuenchSea, one hour6 to 8 litres (1.6 to 2.1 US gallons), day or night
Low end of rangeUp to high endEach bottle is 1 litre (0.26 US gallons)
| QuenchSea 3.0 | Other options | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes salt | Yes | Freshwater filters can't remove salt at all |
| Fresh water output | 6–8 L (1.6–2.1 US gal) an hour | Solar stills: 0.5–2 L (0.13–0.53 US gal) a day, about 20–80 ml (0.005–0.02 US gal) an hour. Other hand-powered units: up to 4.5 L (1.2 US gal) an hour |
| Power | Manually operated | Powered watermakers need mains, batteries or fuel |
| Price | $400 | Katadyn Survivor 35 (hand-powered): $2,400. Electric watermakers: over $3,500 |
Competitor prices: typical retail, October 2026. Prices vary by country and seller.
Use cases
Where people keep one
At home
- Water through storms, floods and long outages
- Standing preparedness stock, bought once and stored
- Part of a grab bag or bug-out kit
On the water
- Backup supply aboard, alongside tankage
- Offshore work, fishing and long passages
- Expeditions and remote coastal travel
The detail
Specifications
- Power
- Manually operated, by hand
- Fresh water output
- 6–8 litres (1.6–2.1 US gallons) an hour
- Seawater intake
- About 20 litres (5.3 US gallons) an hour
- Technology
- High-pressure reverse osmosis with energy recovery
- Operating pressure
- About 40 bar (580 psi)
- Membranes
- One SW1708 RO membrane, pre-installed and replaceable
- Pre-filtration
- Ceramic and stone pre-filter and mesh filter fitted. Optional ultrafiltration pre-filter for murky water, sold separately
- Output quality
- Designed to stay below 1,000 ppm; typically 400–500 ppm
- Max feed water temp
- 45 °C / 113 °F claimed
- Dimensions
- 61.5 × 13.5 × 34.5 cm (24.2 × 5.3 × 13.6 in)
- Weight
- 6 kg (13.2 lb) unit, 6.5 kg (14.3 lb) packaged
- Care
- Fresh water flush after use. No chemicals
Questions
Questions people ask first
Can a hand pump really desalinate seawater?
Yes, with enough pressure and a way to reuse it. The lever and energy-recovery stage together reach about 40 bar (580 psi), which is what reverse osmosis needs.
How long do the membranes last, and what do they cost?
How long each membrane lasts depends on water quality and care.
Has it been independently tested?
Yes. In October 2026, Applus+ tested a QuenchSea 3.0 on seawater in Dubai. It made 7.5 litres an hour, and the output had about 98% less dissolved salt than the seawater. See the results and the full report.
How long does delivery take?
On average, about four weeks after you place your order.
Is the water safe to drink?
Test it first. Output is designed to stay below 1,000 ppm dissolved solids, and a TDS pen tells you what you've got. In polluted coastal water, fit the optional ultrafiltration pre-filter.
How do I set it up and use it?
The pictorial guide needs no reading, and there's a video walkthrough of assembly, pumping and cleaning. Read the manual or watch the video.
How do I store it for years?
Flush it with fresh water after use and let it dry. Keep spare membranes dry and sealed, and they'll store for up to five years.
What does the warranty cover?
A 12-month limited manufacturer warranty from the date of delivery, covering manufacturing defects. Membranes, filters, seals and other wear parts aren't covered. Your statutory rights aren't affected. Read the full warranty.