Water scarcity and poor water quality have become pressing issues in many communities across the United States. From border towns along Mexico to the toxic wastelands in California, to cities like Flint, Michigan, and parts of New York and Baltimore, as well as states like Mississippi and Hawaii, reports of unsafe water supplies or lack thereof have been on the rise in recent years.
In response to these water challenges, an Arizona-based company called SOURCE Global has developed a groundbreaking technology called hydropanels. These panels, installed off the grid, have the ability to harness water from the air and provide a renewable source of fresh water.
Similar to solar panels, hydropanels generate clean and safe drinking water without the need for electric hookups or infrastructure. The technology works by utilizing the power of the sun to run fans that extract pure water vapor from the air. The air inside the panel is then warmed, causing the water vapor to condense into liquid water. The purified water is mineralized within the self-contained system, and the water is circulated to keep it clean and fresh.
SOURCE Global notes that the water production capacity of the hydropanels may vary depending on the location, but they can produce water even in areas with low to medium sun and humidity levels. This makes the technology adaptable to different regions and climates.
However, the cost of hydropanel installation has been a point of concern. According to an ABC News report in April, the panels cost $4,000 upfront and have an estimated lifespan of 20 years. Yoram Cohen, the director of the water technology research center at UCLA, questioned the sustainability of this cost, pointing out that the average person needs only about 2 liters of water daily, while the hydropanels currently produce 3 to 5 liters for a single household.
Despite the cost concerns, SOURCE Global has started implementing hydropanels in various homes in a remote area of West Texas since 2022. The Midland Reporter-Telegram reported that each hydropanel can generate more than 12 water bottles&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVg3cHcycnk3N0J3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrU0dGUU1HZHFabVphTWpNMWFFcG1OaTlITlhSTlFUMDk-8217; worth of water in a single day. While finding a long-term municipal water source remains the ultimate goal for the area, the installation of hydropanels has proven to be effective in providing residents with a safe source of drinking water.
As water scarcity and poor water quality continue to be significant challenges worldwide, technologies like hydropanels offer a glimmer of hope. They provide an innovative and sustainable solution to address the growing water crisis, particularly in areas where access to clean and safe drinking water is limited. While there are still issues to be overcome, advancements in technology and continued efforts from companies like SOURCE Global could play a crucial role in ensuring a future where no community suffers from the lack of water or compromised water quality.
