Books are known to quench the thirst for knowledge. The new "drinkable book" demonstrates that a book can also quench the thirst for actual water.

The "drinkable book" is composed of treated paper containing printed information on how and why water is filtered, BBC reports. The treated paper is made from nanoparticles of silver or copper, known for antibacterial properties that can instantly kill bacteria in water when filtering.

A trial was conducted using water from 25 contaminated sources across Bangladesh, Ghana and South Africa.

The results were presented at the 250th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston. It has been revealed that the treated paper killed more than 99 percent of bacteria present in water. One page can filter up to 100 liters of water.

Though some copper or silver may be mixed with the filtered water, the safety of filtered water is in level with typical U.S. tap water. The antibacterial properties of copper nanoparticles have also been used in the past. In 2014, Nanotechnology Now reports that researchers from Amirkabir University of Technology in Iran produced an antibacterial fabric that can be used for medical clothing industries.

The drinkable book is more than just water treatment tool. It is, after all, a book. The book has printer information with instructions of how to filter water. It also enlightens people on the importance of drinking clean water.

With this, the book brings more than just clean water, but also knowledge that can help people live safer and healthier lives.

Researcher Theresa Dankovich from the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh has been testing the technology for many years. The first trials were conducted using artificially contaminated water. She said, as quoted by BBC, "It's directed towards communities in developing countries."

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1.1 billion people have no access to any type of improved drinking source of water.

Because of this, about 1.6 million people in the developing world die from diseases attributed to lack of access to drinking water and basic sanitation. Ninety percent of these people are five-year-old children or younger.

Charities iDE Bangladesh and WaterisLife have partnered with Carnegie Mellon University researchers to bring safer water to rural areas. iDE Bangladesh conducts anti-poverty programs to improving lives in rural communities. WaterisLife is dedicated to providing clean water to different areas in need.

This video campaign by WaterisLife provides more information about The Drinkable Book.