A couple of days ago architect David Hertz and his colleague Rich Groden won a $1.5 million prize at the Water Abundance XPrize competition, whose aim is to help solve the global water shortage. With over 2.1 billion people, not only the ones living in third world countries, lacking clean water, this contest sought to find the best scientists and designers and their fund original ideas on how to pull fresh water from the air. The ‘WeDew’ generator created by David Hertz, his wife Laura Doss-Hertz, and Rich Groden, cools the warm air and then stores the resulting condensation in the tank, essentially creating a little ‘rainstorm’ inside the container. Since ‘WeDew’ uses shipping containers to create the water source, it is not only innovative but cheap as well.
Their project won since, according to the press release, "It demonstrated the greatest ability to create decentralized access to water.” Now, this incredible machine, which has the ability to provide thousands of gallons of water straight from the air, is already accessible in Venice Beach, LA where locals can take the water for free. This system can provide up to 528 gallons of clean water a day at a cost of no more than 2 cents a quart, thus adding to the water conservation program greatly.
According to Hertz, it is now possible to take clean water from the atmosphere and turn it into a liquid through this method, and in turn, can help billions of people affected by water pollution all around the world. While the team can now finally celebrate their victory, the road to their win was not easy, the Hertzs had to mortgage their Malibu home just to stay in the competition. As is their nature, the hard-fought winnings will still be used for good. The couple plans to use the prize money to develop and deploy the machines so they can provide water to the people who need it most.
More info: Skysource
Recently the Water Abundance XPrize competition sought out to find the best scientists and designers to fund their ideas on how to pull fresh water out of the air
Image credits: DFID
The winner was David Hertz and his colleague Rich Groden with their innovative 'WeDew' generator that can turn atmospheric water into liquid
Image credits: XPRIZE
‘WeDew’ can cool warm air and store the resulting condensation in the tank, essentially creating a little ‘rainstorm’ inside the container
Image credits: Skysource Water
Since 'WeDew' uses shipping containers to create the water, it is not only innovative but cheap as well
Image credits: AP Photo/Marcio jose Sanchez
Their project won since, according to the press release, "It demonstrated the greatest ability to create decentralized access to water"
Image credits: AP Photo/Marcio jose Sanchez
Now, this incredible system is already accessible in Venice Beach where locals can take the water for free
Image credits: Skysource Water
This system can provide up to 528 gallons of clean water a day and it costs no more than 2 cents a quart
Image credits: Skysource Water
Although the team can finally celebrate their victorious creation, the road to winning these 1.5$ million dollars was not easy
Image credits: Skysource Water
David Hertz and his wife Laura Doss-Hertz even mortgaged their Malibu home to stay in the competition
Image credits: AP Photo/Marcio jose Sanchez