Water scarcity is undoubtedly a huge crisis for this world. According to studies, four billion people experience severe water scarcity one month each year.
The United Nations has also informed that more than 2.1 billion people live in arid regions, where water is almost absent. Many innovators of various countries have put forward their ideas and creations out there to help increase water availability in areas. Scientists from the University of Manchester have made a graphite oxide sieve that retains the salts from seawater, an abundant, renewable source of water.
Systems for treating wastewater and recycling them have also been coming up, like the SunSpring Hybrid from Innovative Water Technologies. For the filtration of water, products like Lifestraw and NirNal have been a popular choice in many countries. The latest addition to the list is Atmospheric Water Generator.
What are AWGs?
Atmospheric Water Generators or AWGs are devices that extract water from humid air around us. Using the process a person learns about since their first science lesson-condensation. The water vapour present in the air can be extracted by colling it below the dew point, using desiccants, or pressurising the air. They are reliable sources of water, as moisture in ever present in the air of any region. Modern technology has enabled the presence of purifiers in the device as well. This device is compatible for household, industrial, and even military use. Countries like China, USA, the European Union have been leading consumers of the product. With the population and industries present in these nations, water consumption generally stresses the available water bodies to a great extent.
An AWG powered by Clean Energy
In2021, the United Arab Emirates had initiated a pilot project to install Atmospheric Water Generators through a partnership between AQUOVUM and the Masdar and Khalifa University of Science and Technology. To be incorporated in the futuristic ‘sustainable city’, Masdar, the “hyper-humidifier” uses solar power, a clean and renewable source of energy. This makes the system most appropriate for UAE, having an arid, dry, and humid climate. Its success will mean the production of the world’s first carbon-neutral water generator. The combination of 20 “hyper-humidifier” could produce more than 6000 litres of water per day in suitable weather.
Making it accessible
Brands like Watergen, Airowater, SEL Technologies and many more offer a range of AWGs that can be availed by anyone. The different sizes, styles, capacity, and utility in different sectors are a big plus point and they must be accessed for these benefits.
The Atmospheric Water Generator can solve water scarcity efficiently, but it needs to be available to the ones who need it the most. Considering the lower-class citizens of a society, support from the government or the privileged elite to install these devices in areas of requirements is a necessary step towards liberation from the shortage of such an important element in life.
As climate change transforms the rainfall patterns and pushes civilisation to further doom, it can be a lifesaver to have water extraction and purification devices that require less input.
Read More: Water purity in a pocket. Without burning a Hole in it
