Five Examples of New Water Technology
In the fast-paced world where everyone and everything can be connected and startups are funded daily, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of new water technology. Water safety, conservation and filtration have not escaped this paradigm shift.
Many of the new, smart-home technology water products of the future focus on two things: to alert and to conserve. Products that can help us become more mindful of our water usage theoretically pay themselves off in a certain amount of time.
Other commercial water products aim to intrigue by offering filtered water at a price point that undercuts the value of even the cheapest bottle of water.
At the end of National Water Quality month, we take a look at some of these devices and structures, whether it be for consumer or industry, to peek into the future of water conservation.
One would argue the climate for accessing cleaner drinking water is just right: In 2015, investments in natural water infrastructure projects that would deliver cleaner drinking water, reduce storm damage and reduce flood risks increased to a record high of $25 billion.
Other countries are getting into the act for new water technology: Lima, Peru announced it was restoring its pre-Incan canals in the Andes to help with its water shortage. Blending the natural ecosystem with old and new technology could
FLUID Smart Water Meter
Each appliance in your house, from the washing machine to the bathroom toilet, has a set run rate – the duration of water that flows thru that particular pipe when the machine is running.
The FLUID Smart Water Meter not only uses ultrasonic technology to figure this out, it will gather this data and tell you exactly when, where, and how much water you are consuming from each source of use.
FLUID also contains a disaster prevention tool, immediately providing alerts for leaks and making it an instrument that could pay dividends down the road.
WaterO
The WaterO is a tabletop reverse osmosis filter about the size of a microwave that utilizes a more complex filtration system than the likes of Brita or PUR.
The digital display on the front gives you TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) count before and after it runs through the quadruple filtration process. There is no need to connect to your plumbing water line – WaterO is a zero installation water purifying device. This means you can place WaterO anywhere in your home.
Currently with a limited availability, WaterO has received nearly $100,000 in crowdfunding resources.
Sutro
There are a handful of smart home water products, but what about your backyard? Your pool (if you’re lucky enough to have one) is as much a part of your home as anywhere. Along with a big investment up front, your pool needs constant care and maintenance. That’s where the Sutro comes in.
The Sutro floats in your pool, measuring its chemical makeup and allowing you to monitor the results from a smartphone. You can also sign up for a weekly subscription to deliver the right chemicals that your pool needs.
Lifestraw Personal Water Filter
It may not be entirely new, but the Lifestraw Personal Water Filter has become a favorite of hikers, campers, and general outdoor types, though that was not originally its intended audience.
Swiss-based Vestergaard Frandsen developed the contraption in 2006 to help people in developing countries that don’t have access to clean water. The “straw” with a built-in filter cleans up to 264 gallons of water by trapping bacteria and protozoa. It does not, however, filter out dissolved solids and salt from sea water.
The product is available on the commercial market, and at a $20 price point, is a popular product for many that like to enjoy recreational activities near freshwater streams, lakes and rivers.
Warka Water Tower
Ok, so you might not find one of these in your home. But this innovative project in new water technology is too interesting to leave off the list.
The Warka Water Tower, invented by industrial designer Arturo Vittori is a 30-foot tall vase-shaped contraption that has a mesh net collecting droplets of dew that forms along the surface.
Since May of 2015, Warka’s prototypes have been featured in the Dorze Community in Ethiopia, a country where less than half the population has access to a clean water sources.
It costs merely $500 to set up a tower – and could be cheaper if mass produced, according to Vittori, who is looking to achieve this feat by 2019.