Crisis solution: Firm promises Mumbai water from thin air

With the city facing one of its worst water crises, proposals to alleviate the problem are aplenty. One such proposal is by a city-based firm that claims it can produce water out of thin air.

Watermaker (India) Pvt Ltd claims it has the technology that can suck moisture from surrounding air, treat it, and convert it into potable water. Watermaker director Meher Bhandara said the technology has been successfully installed at Jalimudi in Andhra Pradesh, which became the first village in the world to get water from air. “For years, these villagers had to commute miles for drinking water. They don’t have to anymore,” Bhandara said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said they can comment on the technology only after a detailed presentation.
How does the technology work? By using electric power supply and refrigerants, water is generated directly from air. The air to water machines complete nature’s distillation process by capturing water vapour before it touches the earth. All it requires is electricity or alternate power sources to condense, collect, filter and dispense potable water.

The downside is the cost of production. Through the technology, 1,000 litres of water would cost at least Rs800. Whereas, the BMC supplies water at Rs3.50 per 1,000 litres.