Water from thin air: AguasEsperanza Project places solar panels that generate drinking water in El Paso
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Project Bravo and private partners are working to with the County of El Paso to place solar panels that create drinking water from water vapor present in the air in underdeveloped parts of El Paso County.
Project Bravo's AguasEsperanza program currently has four sets of SOURCE® Global Hydropanels in the Hueco Tanks Estates colonia near the eastern edge of El Paso County. An Arizona company makes the panels that use solar power to condense water vapor, creating multiple gallons of water a day.
"I think that that we take for granted how important it is to have healthy, safe and affordable drinking water," said Laura Ponce, Executive Director of Project Bravo.
Project Bravo started the pilot program with the panels two years ago. A $150,000 grant from Wells Fargo will allow Project Bravo to now expand the program to 11 families in the same area.
El Paso County Commissioner for Precinct 1 Carlos Leon visited one of the previously installed sets of panels. He says he was impressed and wants to see more of them put into place, particularly since the area may not be able to get regular water utilities for decades to come.;
"The family that I visited with actually has it connected to her house and her refrigerator," Leon said. "So she has cold water and ice cubes. I tasted it, it tastes great."
Olga Thomas was another one of the recipients of the panels from the pilot program. It's been an important change to her quality of life.
"Oh my gosh, it has been a lifesaver for me as far as I'm concerned," Thomas said
Previously, she had to regularly buy bottled water to drink.
"I'm by myself at a mobile home, and I have health issues," Thomas said. "So it's very hard for me to, for instance, go to the store real quick to get some water."
Commissioner Leon says that El Paso County has previously looked into getting water service extended to other colonias. Even when existing water mains are close by, the costs quickly add up.
"It would have been about $42,000 just to get that water extended around the block," Leon said. "So you can see the extraordinary expense"
With the Wells Fargo grant announced this week, Project Bravo hopeful that more will also join the effort. They are currently working on securing additional donors to further expand the program.
"We may be able to provide panels for 75 families by the end of the year," Ponce said.
There are about 400 households in the Hueco Tanks estates area. Thomas wants everyone to get the same service she has now.
"And if I could, I would go door to door and talk to them and show them," Thomsas said. "I would even put a sign saying, you know, coming over, check it out and look how it works."
Residents can contact Project Bravo to be considered for the expansion of the AguaEsperanza program on their website, or can reach out to Commissioner Leon's office as well.
