If you thought drinking water from thin air was something magicians did or a concept for a sci-fi movie, think again! A billboard in Lima, Peru serves a dual purpose — it not only advertises but also gives drinking water to whoever wants it.
How does the billboard manage such a feat? The panel, which is located strategically in the desert village of Bujama, where most people have limited access to clean water, harnesses humidity in the air through filters, to produce clean water.
This innovative project is a joint effort of researchers at the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) in Lima and advertising agency Mayo Peru DraftFCB.
The motivation? UTEC wanted to put "imagination into action" and demonstrate how engineering and technology can be instrumental in resolving people's day-to-day problems.
The billboard has produced over 9,000 liters of drinking water so far, nearly 96 liters per day, and reads "a billboard that produces drinking water from air." This despite tough conditions with barely any rainfall. Per UTEC, air humidity reaches 98 percent.
So how does the process work?
"The panel traps humidity in the air and transforms it into water. It's that simple," says Jessica Ruas, a spokesperson from the university.
The panel comprises five devices that extract water vapor from the air using filters and a condenser. Tanks are located at the top of the structure where water is stored. Once filtered, the water flows down a pipe which is connected to a tap, making it accessible to all.
In a small timeframe, the billboard has become a local attraction. The impact of the billboard on the lives of the villagers has been immense and unprecedented.
The internal system costs nearly $1,200 to set up, which is not a steep price to pay, given the benefits it brings.
