Technologies that Could Help Combat the Drinking Water Crisis

At Office H2O, we believe that access to clean drinking water is essential for life. In fact, the UN backs this up by considering access to water a fundamental human right. That’s why part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in order to achieve a greater future for all includes the call for universal access to clean drinking water. Unfortunately, the world is facing a growing drinking water crisis where an estimated total of half of the world’s population is expected to find themselves living in water-stressed areas by the year 2025.

At this time, according to the World Health Organization, over 2.5 billion people lack access to safe, clean drinking water in their communities that can be collected in a round trip of 30 minutes or less. All of this, however, is preventable through developing greater access to clean drinking water. Today, Office H2O will be taking a look at some of the new technologies that have recently been developed to bring water to the communities that need it most.

Fog Catchers

One such technology that we expect to play a pivotal role in combating the current drinking water crisis is fog catchers. This is because, in some places, groundwater supplies have been completely used up, bringing entire villages and communities to a severe water shortage. Fortunately, these regions also have an abundance of fog. Due to this fact, Dar Si Hmad, a non-profit organization, elected to install fog catchers in what has now become the largest fog-harvesting project in the entire world.

Although the process of catching fog may sound complicated, this technology is actually fairly straightforward. In this process, the mist is caught as it passes through a network of large vertical nets before trickling into a collection system where it is then filtered and mixed with groundwater. After this, the water is pumped into villages to supply clean drinking water for a total of 400 people. While this technology isn’t necessarily new, what is new is the recent advancements that have made this process much more efficient, helping to combat the drinking water crisis in a big way.

Solar Powered Water Filtration

Another technology that we expect to make an impact on the fight against the current drinking water crisis is the use of solar powered water filtration. In many places around the globe, the problem isn’t necessarily that there isn’t access to drinking water, but rather that the drinking water in supply is contaminated, making populations sick. This is especially true in developing countries where 80% of sewage is discharged untreated into the waterways of communities.

Innovative Water Technologies sought to offer a solution to this problem by developing water filtration systems that are equipped with self-contained portable wind and solar-powered systems which can supply a total of 20,000 liters of clean drinking water to communities every day for 10 years or more. This particularly green technology is not only good for fighting the current drinking water crisis but also for the environment, utilizing solar and wind-powered energy!

Desalination

Although desalination is far from a new technology, it is a technology that is making a huge difference when it comes to the drinking water crisis. Desalination, the process of removing salt and minerals from seawater, was pioneered in Israel. Israel sought to find a solution to the problem that the country is made up of 50% desert and experiences drought conditions often. The first water desalination plant was built in the 1960s and, since then, Israel supplies 60% of their domestic water from the desalination process that takes place at 5 large and 34 small plants in the country.

Source Hydropanel Zero Mass Water

Source Hydropanel, another technology combating the current drinking water crisis, uses solar power to supply enough clean drinking water for 2 to 3 people, or roughly 10 liters per day. This technology, created by the startup Zero Mass Water, uses solar energy to heat up a sponge-like material in order to create condensation. After this, the condensation is collected in a 30-liter reservoir where the water is filtered and certain minerals are added to enhance the taste of the water. The result? Clean drinking water created using solar energy!

The Lifestraw

Finally, the last technology that may have a significant impact on the current drinking water crisis is the Lifestraw. This portable drinking straw, created by Vestergaard, filters dirty water that may be unsafe to drink, making it perfectly drinkable. Vestergaard is a company that has made it their mission to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, making everyone healthier and happier. Their straw, the Lifestraw, purifies a minimum of 1,000 liters of water and removes an estimated 99.9% of parasites and harmful bacteria through its unique filtration system. This technology could offer countless water-stressed communities a handy way to consume clean drinking water with little work.

Convenient Access to Clean, Safe Drinking Water with Office H2O

Now that you know about some of the premier technologies that we expect to make an impact on the fight against the drinking water crisis in the coming years, let’s talk about a technology that can give you convenient access to clean drinking water in your home or office: Office H2O bottleless water systems. Our devices come equipped with the latest water purification technology, employing a 9-stage filtration process to ensure your water is safe to drink. Further, when you purchase a bottleless water system for your home or office, you’ll be joining us in creating a healthier planet, one drop at a time.

Another feature that makes our bottleless water coolers a must-have, especially during the pandemic, includes the Touch-Free feature. We are now providing touch-free bottleless water coolers equipped with a stylish foot pedal, ensuring easy access to purified drinking water without ever having to touch the dispenser.

To find out more about our bottleless water coolers and how Office H2O can help provide safe, clean drinking water in your home or office, visit our website today.

Photo by hitesh choudhary from Pexels