Solving Rural Arizonans' Water Access: Solar-Powered Water from Thin Air

• Arizona rural communities are getting creative with solutions to the challenge of safe drinking water. Innovative projects like solar-powered desalination, water treatment systems, and Hydropanels are providing clean drinking water and educating students. Join tribal and university partnerships in securing safe drinking water for all Arizonans.

In many rural parts of Arizona, access to safe drinking water remains a challenge. From solar-powered desalination units to water-from-air technologies, there are a number of solutions being implemented to try and solve the problem. Tribal and university-led partnerships, as well as initiatives from nonprofits and the private sector, have developed mobile water-treatment units, solar-powered nanofiltration systems and atmospheric water generation systems. These projects are providing clean drinking water to communities and educating young students about water treatment technologies. Navajo college students are also building solar-powered desalination units, with the help of the University of Arizona, and the desalination system in the school bus is still running. Hydropanels, solar-panel units that draw in air moisture and superheat it to collect in condense form, are also being installed in Arizona homes through a state grant. Though these solutions are helping, more needs to be done to ensure all Arizonans have access to safe drinking water.

What Solutions are Being Implemented for Safe Drinking Water in Arizona?

• Solar-Powered Desalination Units: University of Arizona has partnered with Navajo college students to build such units, with the desalination system in the school bus still running.
• Water-from-Air Technologies: Hydropanels, solar-panel units that draw in air moisture and superheat it to collect in condense form, are being installed in Arizona homes through a state grant.
• Mobile Water Treatment Units: Tribal and university-led partnerships, as well as initiatives from nonprofits and the private sector, have developed mobile water-treatment units.
• Solar-Powered Nanofiltration Systems: Being implemented to provide clean drinking water to communities and educating young students about water treatment technologies.
• Atmospheric Water Generation Systems: Utilized by nonprofits and the private sector to help address the safe drinking water challenges in Arizona.