David Airey

A billboard that turns air into drinkable water

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David Airey
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Billboard air water PeruPhoto credit: Draftfcb / UTEC

Just outside the small community of Bujama, Peru, is a billboard that cost around $32,000 to make, and that creates approximately 100 litres of drinkable water every day.

“It works by condensing vapour in the air (humidity in the region is around 98 per cent) into water, before passing it through a series of filters and running it under UV lamps for further purification. The clean water is then collected in a tank and dispensed through a tap which can be used by anyone walking past.”

Quoted from Creative Review.

Billboard air water Peru

The video embedded below gives a bit more detail.

The billboard is the product of a partnership between outdoor advertising owner Clear Channel Peru, researchers at the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) in Lima, and advertising agency Draftfcb.

Also reported on the BBC website: Advert turns air into water.

Brilliant idea. Let’s hope it’s not a one-off.

Comments

12 responses to “A billboard that turns air into drinkable water”

  1. Martin Bengtsson Avatar
    Martin Bengtsson

    Simply amazing!
    A pitty it’s only applicable in very humid regions like shown in the video. I can’t help but wonder if there would be any environmental impacts from putting up a lot of these, but I’m sure the clever people at UTEC already thought of that.

    Reply
  2. Lakshmi Mareddy Avatar
    Lakshmi Mareddy

    Great concept. Only of course the costing is a lil high, but if the advertiser pays, why not?

    Wish your posts had a like button David. I dont feel like typing today 🙂

    Reply
  3. Matt Saunders Avatar
    Matt Saunders

    Clever people. There’s a robot that does this too isn’t there? – wanders the desert picking up moisture where it can. Great that the water is free to passers-by. I’m sure this is just the start of something that could be much bigger in the future.

    Reply
  4. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    Wonderful, water for all. I hope the idea inspires others.

    Reply
  5. Lee newham Avatar
    Lee newham

    You made my day David. This is a BIG like. If only more advertising was based around a benefit for all rather than a benefit for itself. It would rub off on the brand too. It reminds me (in a funny sort of way) of the Mobile ads in the 60’s promoting road safety (we want you to live) by Bill Bernbach.

    Reply
  6. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    This is just wonderful!

    I am confused though, in your post it says it takes $32,000 to make but on the source article it says:

    “The internal system costs some US$1,200 (£790) to set up.”

    Where did you get $32,000 from?

    Reply
  7. David Airey Avatar
    David Airey

    Sorry Lak. I try to keep buttons to a minimum. 🙂

    Matt, not that I’ve read about. Seems interesting.

    Lee, definitely. Thought you’d appreciate this one.

    Angela, the $32K was from the Creative Review piece. I guess it’s the overall cost for the construction and printing, too.

    Reply
  8. Evans Avatar
    Evans

    It’s a clever idea in a marketing sense. As others have noted the cost may be too high to make it a practical solution for water distribution but it’s ingenious and it has people talking about it far beyond the reach of a standard billboard advert.

    Reply
  9. Steve Perry Avatar
    Steve Perry

    I love design like this, something really tangible that makes a positive impact. Thanks for sharing, David.

    Reply
  10. Jamie Davis Avatar
    Jamie Davis

    This is just an incredible concept. I’m hoping this is a glimpse into the future of marketing & advertising. There’s nothing better than advertising that has a positive impact on society. Absolutely love it.

    Reply
  11. David Craig White Avatar
    David Craig White

    This seems like it’s too good to be true. Maybe we could do with a few of these in Europe to save all of these hosepipe bans.

    I bet there’s some creative advertising brains working up some very smart slogans to get up on these things.

    Reply
  12. Monde Avatar
    Monde

    Wow. That is really awesome. At the start I was like ‘best billboard, uhm let’s have a read’ haha. That’s inspiring. I agree with Lee and the ‘benefit for all’.
    Well, thanks again David.

    Reply

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