Contributing writer for Wake Up World
Using the power of technology to help ease water security issues, Peruvian ad agency Mayo DraftFCB and the University of Engineering and Technology in Lima have joined forces to create the first water-generating billboard. Built in Lima, Peru, the innovative structure pulls moisture from the air and condenses it into clean, potable water.
One of the driest places on Earth, Lima receives less than two inches of rainfall per year yet has an atmospheric humidity of around 98 percent – making the city an ideal location for the water-producing billboard. The system collects water from the air, condenses it in a similar manner as an air conditioner and then purifies the water through reverse osmosis. The billboard can generate up to 96 liters of water per day, which is stored in 20-liter tanks and dispensed via a spigot at the bottom of the structure. The billboard has already provided 9,450 liters of clean water in three months of operation.
About 700,000 of the city’s residents don’t have access to clean water, while another 600,000 rely on cisterns which require filling by hand or with a pump. The billboard helps improve sanitation and health in the community, where individuals would otherwise be forced to draw from polluted wells. The structure costs $1200 to install and runs off electricity from city power lines. The university hopes to offset operating costs through advertising revenue from the billboard.
Severe water shortages looming
“The implementation of the water billboard coincides with the timing of a January study related to climate change in the tropical Andes. A study in the journal The Cryosphere shows that the Andean glaciers, which provide fresh water for the residents of Peru, among other countries, have shrunk between 30 and 50 percent since the 1970s,” reports the Huffington Post.
Worldwide, almost 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water\, according to the World Health Organization. As one of the most pressing problems in developing nations, the unavailability of clean water is the leading cause of cholera and other deadly diseases linked with diarrhea. It’s possible that this cost-effective billboard can help alleviate illness due to contaminated water, one pioneering sign at a time.
Article Sources:
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com
- http://inhabitat.com
- http://www.popularmechanics.com
- http://www.archdaily.com
Previous articles by Carolanne:
- Common Toxin in Your Pantry Causes Obesity, Diabetes, Infertility… and Much More
- Hemp – The Ultimate Cash Crop, Health Food and Environmental Savior Rolled Into One
- Confirmed by Science: You Really Can Change Your DNA – Here’s How
-
Chemtrails: Learn How to Protect Yourself From These Treacherous Poisons
- Top 10 Food Frauds: Formaldehyde, Plastic, Melamine & Caustic Soda Found in Common Foods
- Autistic Boy With Higher IQ Than Einstein Discovers Gift After Removal From State-Run Therapy
-
Enhance Spiritual, Mental and Physical Well-being with a Pineal Gland Detox
- Enterprising Community Aims for Total Food Self-Sufficiency with Free Edible Landscapes
- The Silent Toxin in Food that Provokes Cancer, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis and More
About the author:
I’m Carolanne — a writer, chef, traveler and enthusiastic advocate for sustainability, organics and joyful living. It’s good to have you here. If you would like to learn more, connect with me at Thrive-Living.net or visit Twitter.com/Thrive_Living.If you've ever found value in our articles, we'd greatly appreciate your support by purchasing Mindful Meditation Techniques for Kids - A Practical Guide for Adults to Empower Kids with the Gift of Inner Peace and Resilience for Life.
In the spirit of mindfulness, we encourage you to choose the paperback version. Delve into its pages away from screen glare and notifications, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the transformative practices within. The physical book enriches the learning process and serves as a tangible commitment to mindfulness, easily shared among family and friends.
Over the past few years, Wake Up World has faced significant online censorship, impacting our financial ability to stay online. Instead of soliciting donations, we're exploring win-win solutions with our readers to remain financially viable. Moving into book publishing, we hope to secure ongoing funds to continue our mission. With over 8,500 articles published in the past 13 years, we are committed to keeping our content free and accessible to everyone, without resorting to a paywall.