At a factory in Abu Dhabi, workers at Ma Hawa (loosely translates to Water, Aid) oversee a bottling line where purified water is produced through atmospheric water generation (AWG) — a process that condenses humidity into safe, drinkable water.

Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, the company Mahawa is bottling water produced by condensing humidity from the air using heat exchange systems. The process, which the company claims uses relatively low energy, yields about 10,500 gallons of water daily at their factory, with additional output from air-to-water dispensers in homes and offices.

While atmospheric water generation is seen as a sustainable alternative in the water-scarce Middle East, experts note it has limitations such as low production rates and large land requirements. Mahawa's bottled water is priced higher than regular brands, and the company continues to work on improving the efficiency of its technology.

UAE-based water company turns humidity into hydration

At this factory in Abu Dhabi, workers are overseeing the bottling of fresh water that has been produced from the air. UAE-based company Mahawa uses heat exchange systems to condense humidity into drinkable water, and does so, the company says, with relatively low energy use. We are living in one of the most water-scarce regions in the world, which is the Middle East. Michael Ruttman is Mahawa's CEO. He says the company produces about 10,500 gallons a day at the site, along with thousands more through air-to-water dispensers installed in homes and offices across the country. We are able to create up to five litres of water to one kilowatt of energy, which is basically 200 watts per litre. And we are working and consistently developing it in order to reduce this and make it more efficient. The UAE has limited natural water resources. According to the government, it relies heavily on thermal desalination to turn seawater into potable water. Atmospheric Water Harvesting, Dr Peng Wang of Sun Yat-sen University, says atmospheric water generation is a sustainable process, but added that it has drawbacks. Low water production rate, large land footprint for sure. So with those two major drawbacks of atmospheric water harvesting, people believe that this process is most suitable for providing water for small communities and also in some cases special water need. For example, large ships, small islands. Mahawa's eight-fluid-ounce bottled water sells in supermarkets for around one US dollar, higher than other regular local water brands. The company also sells its JENE water dispenser. According to marketing director Amrul Esmail, it can produce around 2,900 gallons annually. Business owner Andrea Balaca says she uses her machine for cooking and drinking. She says people are used to drinking the water they get from more typical sources, but that sustainable solutions like this should be a part of our lifestyle.

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Washington

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Caracas

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Jerusalem

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Paris

Ukraine Invasion

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Los Angeles

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Brussels

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Breakdown