Start-up extracting water from air develops disaster response vehicle
An external water tank carrying up to 1,500 liters of water, a 500 liter fuel tank for long operations, emergency lighting and WiFi can also be added to the vehicle.
By EYTAN HALONUpdated: JANUARY 16, 2019 15:36Watergen's disaster relief reponse vehicle(photo credit: Courtesy)
Watergen, the Rishon Lezion start-up known for its unique technology extracting fresh water directly from the air, has partnered with the Red Cross to develop a new Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) for providing fresh water to disaster zones.Equipped with the company’s patented GENius-powered atmospheric water generator capable of producing 900 liters of water per day, the ERV will provide access to much-needed potable water supplies for communities far from population centers that are affected by emergencies or natural disasters.“At a time when, according to international data, about two billion people in the world don’t have access to clean water, Watergen’s technology is a real lifesaver,” said Watergen chairman Michael (Micho) Mirilashvili.“The new technological development is a breakthrough in enabling the technology to be mobilized and allowing access to clean drinking water so that it is available anywhere in the world immediately and without any installation.”The vehicle was developed according to American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. It includes satellite communication capabilities, power sockets for charging communication device batteries, emergency accumulators for power supply and storage for medical equipment.An external water tank carrying up to 1,500 liters of water, a 500 liter fuel tank for long operations, emergency lighting and WiFi can also be added to the vehicle.The ERV has already been deployed, providing clean water for emergency services fighting the deadly and destructive November 2018 wildfires in California.“We are at a time when water sources are shrinking and the situation is only getting worse,” said Mirilashvili.“Watergen’s technology is the ultimate solution because it produces water from a non-expendable source,” he added.In June 2018, Watergen's technology was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a “technology pioneer,” an honor granted to early-stage companies from around the world involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies and innovations which are poised to have a significant impact on business and society.
Watergen was also recognized in November with the prestigious CES 2019 Best of Innovation Award in the “Tech for a better world” category, given to only the highest-rated product or technology in its field.To date, the company’s technology has aided communities in Vietnam, India and Russia. In the United States, Watergen assisted in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
