The high humidity level of Lima, Peru is around 83% and was always seen as a fact, but never a blessing. Better yet, it was never viewed as a potential solution to the water shortage that Lima is currently dealing with. As the second largest desert in the world, Lima sees very little annual rainfall and, according to a 2011 article in The Independent, 1.2 million of its residents lack access to clean running water. The atmospheric humidity of Lima is now being put to good use, in the most unlikely of forms- a billboard.
Looking to create a splash to kick off its 2013 application period, The University of Engineering and Technology of Peru (UTEC) teamed up with ad agency Mayo DraftFCB to create a billboard that would convert the air humidity of Lima into potable water. What is the most amazing part of this invention? They actually succeeded in pulling water out of thin air.
With nothing more than a basic filtration system, humidity, and ingenuity, this billboard produces around 26 gallons per day of potable water from the air. View the diagram below to get a feel for how this invention works.
This technology in Lima is located in the middle of the Peruvian desert, where clean drinking water is especially difficult to come by. According to Mayo DraftFCB, this modern marvel has produced around 9,450 liters of water since the billboard was first erected in December 2012. This invention requires an undisclosed amount of electricity to work, but many believe that if future models will become more self-sufficient using solar energy, then it could become both a viable and eco-friendly alternative.
As cool as this invention is, this is a sobering reminder of the harsh realities that many of the world’s population face from day to day. The need for fresh drinking water is a basic human necessity that is often left unmet. Whether your source of water is coming from a filtered water pitcher, a reverse osmosis system, or a billboard in Lima, we all need this precious resource to survive and function properly on this Earth.
That’s why we support Wine To Water, a non-profit organization committed to supporting life and dignity for all through the power of clean water.
Only time will tell how feasible this invention can be at a larger scale and what adjustments, if any, would be needed. Do you see this becoming a viable solution down the road? Would you mind seeing one of these in your neighborhood? Don’t be shy. Let us know your opinion in the comments.
Both images used in this blog are courtesy of techland.time.com.
Braden Bills says
It’s interesting that there are devices that can create water out of the air! It makes sense that it would be a great source of water. This is especially true for people who don’t have access to clean drinking water!