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Intro Conservation Rainwater Graywater Atmospheric Water Generators Solar Stills Other
Conservation: The obvious first step is to stop wasting water. Between showers, flushing the toilet, doing laundry, washing dishes, cleaning and cooking, the average American uses 350 gallons of water a day. You can find all sorts of ways to conserve water here. Rainwater Collection: Your roof collects a surprising amount of rainwater. Unfortunately, most people let that naturally softened water run off into the ground around their home's foundation. Rainwater systems range from humble barrels to large folding units to full blown cisterns. My favorite recent find is the Waterwall. You can find all kinds of rainwater harvesting products by typing in "rainwater collection" at Google, and looking at both the search results and the ads. You can find free DIY tutorials on the subject here. Greywater Systems: In a greywater system (also called "graywater"), a building's plumbing sends water to one of two places. Water from the toilet and from the kitchen sink (if you use a garbage disposal) are considered to be "black" water, and go right to the sewer or septic system. Water from the shower drain and clothes washer are considered to be "grey" water, and are reused to flush the toilet and water the lawn. For the system to work, only non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products can be used, but you should be doing that anyway. It's much easier to install a greywater system into new construction than it is to retrofit an existing home, but it can be done. Even just capturing water from the clothes washer as it drains and using it in the garden helps reduce water usage significantly. Some cities don't allow their residents to reuse greywater. They're afraid that people might release contaminants into the water table. Check with your municipality first. You can learn more about greywater systems here: Branched Drain Greywater Systems Air Water Extraction / Atmospheric Water Generators / Atmospheric Condensers: Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) pull clean drinking water from the air. They're essentially a combination of an air cleaner, dehumidifier and water purifier, but on steroids. AWGs easily replace bottled water, don't require plumbing, and in some cases, run off solar or wind power. I've tried water from two AWGs (the Mirage and the Aquamaker). Both were excellent. Available models provide anywhere from 1 to over 50,000 gallons of purified water a day. Many also provide extra features, such as hot and cold water spigots, the ability to purify tap water, air conditioning and water oxygenation. The typical AWG provides at least 3 stages of purification: air filtration, carbon filtration and reverse osmosis (RO) or ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. Small units are generally intended for residential and office use. Large units are used for commerical buildings, disaster relief, agriculture, industrial processes, military personnel, water bottling and to provide potable water to people who would otherwise lack access. Some AWGs are intended to be used indoors, and some outdoors. "Split" units are increasingly common. These are usually a single unit that can be split into two parts. The consumer then chooses whether they prefer indoor dehumidification and air cleaning, or the ability to generate more water thanks to the higher outdoor humidity found in many locations. When shopping for AWGS, look at the specs, and look at more than one manufacturer. Compare key features such as the quantity of water produced per day, the number and type of purification methods, the operating temperature range, required humidity levels, maintenance costs and energy use. You may also want to compare decibel levels. Whatever you choose, it's a good idea to buy plenty of filters and other replacement items up front. The AWG market is extremely competitive, and you never know if a company will be able to stay in business. Below is a directory of AWG manufacturers, distributors and retailers. (TreeHugger has an article about AWGs that compares 7 models. Article written June 22nd, 2009.) PLEASE NOTE: I've received a number of demands/requests/threats to modify, update, remove, add or correct information on this list. While I certainly do want to correct errors, I will not remove factual information. Furthermore, be aware that I receive no compensation for providing this resource. My time is limited, and page updates tend to be infrequent. Thank you for your understanding. Air Water: Developer of large and small AWGs, currently manufactured by Hyflux. Solar powered versions available. Refrigerator, freezer and coffee maker AWGs coming soon. AirWater owns the patents to its AWGs, but used to license them to Hendrx for manufacturing. In May 2008, AirWater filed suit against Hendrx for patent infringment and other claims. AirWater home/office models include the Galaxy, the SOHO (previously manufactured by Hendrx), the SpaceOne and the SpaceTwo. Large AWG models include the WM40, WM120, WM250, WM500, WM750, WM1000, MW1000M, AW2200 and WM5000. AirWater also makes the Magique 100 Ice Maker and the AWCM1 coffee maker. Air Water World USA: Supplier to the USA, Caribbean islands and the BahamasAir2Water: Developer of home and office AWGs. Air2Water has won patent infringement judgements against Hendrx and two other manufacturers. Models include the Dolphin 1/Dragonfly T16, the Dolphin 6 & 7 and Dolphin 2/Dragonfly M18 home/office units, as well as the Triton series large AWGs. Hyflux manufactures the Dragonfly M18. Treehugger article on the Dolphin Air2Water Caribbean: DistributorAirQUA: Marketing & distribution arm of Singapore-based AridTec. Products include the home/office Sano, the mid-sized e2sav, the Offshore & the Marine. Aquair: This company appears to have become dormant. In 2005, Aquair's parent company, RG Global Lifestyles, was sued for defamation (among other things) by Universal Communications Systems, parent company of Air Water Corp. In July 2007, the parties settled. In October 2007, RG Global Lifestyles filed the last SEC report that mentioned Aquair. That same month, the Aquair website began losing functionality. Aquair history: Developer, marketer & distributor. Dong Yang made some of their units until 2006, when they switched to Hendrx. They also distributed Munters' commercial units, and resold the Everest E-10 and AquaStar M-10. AquaMagic: US-based developer of the HP120 large AWG AquaMaker: Marketer of home/office and large AWGs. They own the patent to the AM-10 and Hendrx manufactures the units. AquaMaker's large AWGs include the AM1000, AM3000 and AM5000. Boing Boing article on the AM10 AquaBoys: Northwest Florida dealer Atmospheric Water Systems, Inc.: Developers of the DewPointe DH9, a home/office unit. Dong Yang: Korean manufacturers of home and office AWGs. They're licensed to manufacture TTW's Everest E-10 and AquaStar M-10. The former is also sold as the WaterPure Water Workhouse and the Airqua E10 Airwater Maker. Other AWGs include the C-7, AD-6, the E-6 and the M-6. Eco Vibe: Australian reseller of the Taiyu YLR-A2, the Tili TA-10 and the Hendrx Rainmaker and Big Blue AWGs. Element Four: Makers of the WaterMill residential AWG. Element Four's emphasis is on energy efficiency. The WaterMill was supposed to begin shipping in March/April 2009. As of July 2009, it's unclear whether or not the units are available or are still in the pre-order phase. Call first to confirm. Introductory price is $990. MSRP will be $1295. The WaterMill is a split unit whose sections do not mate. The water generation section attaches to the outside of your home, and the purified water is routed inside, through your plumbing if desired. The water dispensing section seems to be optional, since the water can be routed to a spigot or refrigerator water dispenser. Solar and wind powered models are in the works. MSNBC article World's Nest: California reseller Envirosource: Australian manufacturer of small & large AWGs. They also lease units. Envirosource, Wataire and Winix parterned for R&D. The Envirosource Aqua V & the Wataire WII-4010 are nearly identical. I believe both are split units. Envirosource is also Wataire's Australian distributor. Large AWG models include the CL 2500 and CL 5000. Air To H2O: Australian distributor. Also leases units. Island Sky: Residential and small business units. As of April 2008, prices ranged from $1800-$2800 USD. Hendrx: Chinese based manufacturer of large and small AWGs. 'The Big Blue' large AWG is manufactured by Munters. Some of the AWGs manufactured by Hendrx are also sold under the Eriva brand name. In addition, Hendrx manufactures AWGs for other companies, which have included the AquaMaker M-10, the AirWater SOHO, the Librex Waterex and models from Air2Water. Air2Water won a 1.23 million dollar judgement against Hendrx in May 2008 for patent infringement. AirWater Corporation filed suit the same month. Eco Vibe: Australian resellerHidroair: Spanish reseller (& possibly developer or manufacturer). They carry the home/office M-5 (which looks like an E10) & M-7. They also have the commercial-sized CC350 and RC series. Librex Group: Lebanon-based developers of the home/office Waterex line (which includes the M2 & WR-2), and the WaterCrown large AWG series. Hendrx manufactures the Waterex under contract. Hendrx also sells the Waterex as 'The Rainmaker' (MK-22RO-F) and under the Eriva brand as the EA-22A. (It was originally called the Hendrx USA Watergen.) Yet another rebranded version is sold as the Air Bio-Energy Water System, or AIR EA-22A. Ansun is selling it simply as the Atmospheric Water Generator. MauiDew and White Buffalo Nation, both Munters distributors, sell the Waterex as the Munter's H2O LiquidAir 2 (LA-2). EcoloBlue sells what appears to be a reskinned Waterex as the EcoloBlue 28. As of June 13th, 2009, the price is $1350 USD. WaterMicron sells the same thing as the AWG-30H/O.
Munters: Swedish manufacturer of the industrial H2O LiquidAir line. The residential H2O LiquidAir line appears to be rebranded versions of other AWGs.
Mirage Water Maker : They have 48v units, which some solar & wind systems can use. They'll be coming out with a 24v unit, and ultimately, a 12v unit, for use with all DC systems. Planet's Purest Water: US-based manufacturers of the Raincloud line of home/office AWGs and the TC line of industrial units. It appears that they'll be selling some new industrial units soon: the PWM1000/2000. They previously sold the C-7, E-7 and E-10, all manufactured by Dong Yang. Air To Water Rainbow Company: Distributor in Alberta, Canada Sino-Bao: A Chinese manufacturer that appears to be involved in some way with the Taiyu YLR-A1 & YLR-A2, the SOHO and the AirWater Magique 1 AWG/refrigerator. Sirius: Singapore marketer of the Vesta AirWater Makers for home/office use, which include the M8. More info is available at Sirius Art. Taiyu Science and Technology: Chinese makers of Taiyu home/office AWGs. Models include the YLR series and the TY-A40. Sino-Bao also claims to manufacture the YLR-A1 & YLR-A2.Tili: Chinese-Canadian joint venture. Manufacturer of home/office AWGs. Models include the TA-10B & TA-40B. TTW International: Canadian-based company that developed the E-10, which is manufactured by DongYang. Models also include the Everest E-7 and the Aquastar M10 & R10 home/office units, the Everest E-100 and the AquaStar large AWG line. Their website hasn't been updated since 2002. Air to Water Rainbow Co.: Distributor based in Alberta, Canada Vapaire: This company and its product seems to have disappeared completely. The Vapaire DM produced up to 20 liters a day and was manufactured in Korea. Wataire: Home, office, commercial & agricultural AWGs. International company based in Canada. Wataire, Envirosource and Winix have partnered for product research and development, leading to the nearly identical Envirosource Aqua V and Wataire WII-4010 models. I believe that both are split units. Other models include the WII-4005 countertop and the CI-2500 and CI-5000 large capacity AWGs. Aquaduct Intl: Florida distributorWater Master: Manufacturer of the C2000 Water Maker, a home and office AWG. WaterMicron: Manufacturer/distributor based in Hong Kong. A division of AgroMicron. The home/office AWG-30H/O is nearly identical in appearance to one of the versions of the Librex Waterex. Also available is the industrial grade AWG-C Series. WaterPure: Manufactures the Water Cycle, as well as the Water Workhorse, a modified version of the Everest AWG. Other models include the WaterPure Executive, which appears to be a Dong Yang C-7 (possibly modified) and the 3-Z. DEC Green: Northeast US distributorWaterStar: The website for this product shut down in October 2008. The WaterStar was launched in 2001 by Advanced Medical Technologies Inc and its inventor, James J. Reidy. It had an air conditioning option available. Winix: Korean manufacturer of AWGS and many other products. Winix partnered with Envirosource and Wataire to develop AWGs, which is why the Winix POU water cooler appears nearly identical to the Envirosource Aqua V and the Wataire WII-4010.
Solar Stills: Solar stills use evaporation to purify water. Particulates, including the salt in seawater, are left behind during evaporation, and bacteria and viruses are killed by the heat. The pure water runs off into a collector. The process doesn't require electricity. However, it takes a lot of surface area to evaporate significant amounts of water, so portable units are primarily intended for survival situations where other options aren't available. Solar stills are easy and cheap to make. You can find tutorials here. You can also purchase ready-made solar stills with a wide range of capacities: AquaCone It's worth noting that solar stills are improving lives around the world, including in the colonias on the US side of the Mexican border. Other Potable Water Solutions: The Cuz'n Magic Wand captured my imagination. It's similar to a method used in ancient Egypt and requires no filters, chemicals, electricity or even sunlight! Of course, it won't remove pesticide residues, heavy metals or particulates, but in the conditions common in so many countries, it could save lives. Better yet, Potters For Peace has developed a ceramic filter that can be manufactured easily anywhere in the world and that removes 99.98% of harmful microorganisms from water. There's also the LifeStraw, which is low-cost and effective. |