Water is essential for life. Yet, millions around the world can’t easily get clean, safe water. According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 780 million people don’t have access to clean water. This leads to millions dying from water-borne diseases each year. So, what’s the solution? An Israeli company called Water-Gen thinks it has an answer: a machine that extracts water from air.
The Game-Changing Technology: Water-Gen’s Atmospheric Water-Generation Units
This isn’t some sci-fi movie magic; it’s real science. Water-Gen has designed a machine that turns air into drinkable water.
Sounds amazing, right? This machine uses a special part called a “GENius heat exchanger” to cool down the air and turn its water vapor into liquid water.
Arye Kohavi, the co-CEO of Water-Gen, explains that this water is then thoroughly cleaned before it’s stored in an internal tank. It sounds like a miracle, but it’s simply cutting-edge technology at work.
Energy Efficiency: The Key to Making it Work
We’ve seen machines that try to get water from air before, but what makes Water-Gen’s system special is its efficiency.
They’ve found a clever way to use the cold air produced by the machine to chill incoming air, making the whole process use less energy. Kohavi points out that the main challenge isn’t just getting water from air—it’s doing it efficiently. According to him, “When you’re very, very efficient, it brings us to the point that it is a real solution. Water from air became actually a solution for drinking water.”
How Much Water Are We Talking About?
The Water-Gen machine can make between 250 to 800 liters (that’s 65 to 210 gallons) of drinkable water per day, depending on how hot and humid it is. And get this: it only costs two cents’ worth of electricity to make a liter of water. This is huge, especially for places where water is scarce but electricity is relatively cheap.
From Military to Everyday Life
Originally developed for the Israel Defense Forces, this machine is already making waves internationally. Several countries’ militaries have bought these units.
But the technology isn’t just for the troops. Kohavi believes this could be a life-saver in developing countries, like India, where water is increasingly hard to come by. In fact, making a liter of water with this machine can be ten times cheaper than buying a bottle of water in India.
On-The-Go Solution: Meet Spring
Water-Gen isn’t stopping at machines that stay put. They’ve also developed a portable water filter called “Spring.” This battery-powered gadget can clean 180 liters of water and fits into a backpack.
Imagine going to a dirty river and turning that unsafe water into something you can drink. That’s what Spring can do, and it’s already making a big difference in places hit by natural disasters.
The Bigger Picture: Can This Save Lives?
Water-Gen’s machines won’t solve the entire global water crisis overnight. But they could make a big difference in places that are really struggling. The technology has already proven itself by providing clean water in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Kohavi sees this as just the beginning, stating that his technology could provide a “perfect solution” for people suffering from water scarcity.
Conclusion: A Step Towards Solving the Water Crisis
While not a one-size-fits-all fix, machines like those from Water-Gen offer a promising way to help ease the global water crisis. For places where water is hard to come by, a machine that extracts water from air could be more than revolutionary—it could be life-saving.
Watch How to Easily Create Your Own Air Fountain
Articles Reference:
This machine makes drinking water from thin air | CNN Business