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San Francisco-based startup Aquaria Technologies is pioneering a game-changing technology that extracts clean, affordable drinking water from the atmosphere. Founded in 2022, Aquaria aims to provide vital water supplies to communities affected by climate change and long-term drought.
Aquaria’s atmospheric water generators (AWGs) leverage advancements in technology to efficiently collect moisture from the air. While AWGs aren’t new, recent innovations have made them more effective and scalable. The company’s models range from individual units to larger systems capable of servicing entire communities, making them a potential lifeline for drought-stricken regions.
Notably, Aquaria’s AWGs recently earned recognition as finalists for the Future Resilience Prize in the 2024 Urban Future Prize competition. According to Interesting Engineering, their solar-powered units go beyond simple humidifiers, incorporating sophisticated filtration processes. Each unit features particulate filtration, carbon filtration, and ultraviolet (UV) sterilization to ensure that the water produced is safe for consumption.
Among the various models, the Hydropixel stands out for individual use, producing up to 91 liters of water daily. For larger needs, the Hydropack X can generate a staggering 1,000 liters per day, effectively eliminating a household’s reliance on municipal water sources. Impressively, the Hydropixel is one of the most efficient AWGs globally, using just 1.25 kWh per gallon, making solar-powered water nearly free for homeowners.
According to New Atlas, Aquaria plans to deploy one of its AWGs to a 1,000-home community in Hawaii later this year, demonstrating its commitment to tackling water scarcity. As climate change continues to exacerbate drought conditions, solutions like Aquaria’s AWGs could prove invaluable in ensuring access to clean drinking water for millions. With approximately half of the global population facing water scarcity, Aquaria is poised to make a significant impact on communities in need.
