WaterSeer™

Does WaterSeer™ exist, or are these just concepts?

The original WaterSeer™ model was tested as a prototype at the UC Berkeley Gill Tract Farm in April 2016. Results were excellent; of the several variations tested, all exceeded water production goals. One model stood out above all others, generating up to 11 gallons from nine-square-feet of condensation surface! The current model was finalized in August of 2016 and will be field tested in coordination with the National Peace Corps Association once crowdfunding raise is complete. Your contributions will help us test and finalize the design so that we can move forward!

When will WaterSeer™ be ready to ship?

Our current schedule is to test the new model prototype in the field over the next 6 months. We anticipate shipping the new model within the next year.

How do you know that you will be able to get

11 gallons of water a day from one device?

We have run calculations based on the field test data that show that WaterSeer™ will generate as much as 11 gallons of pure water a day under the arid conditions in the San Francisco area. Actual yield will vary based on environmental conditions; in Virginia, for example, the yield is much greater. What is unique about the new model is it uses the cooler ground reservoir to condense water 24 hours a day, which is 8 times the optimal condensation time as our first prototype. Since WaterSeer™ uses the difference in the ground and air temperature, which requires no power to achieve, WaterSeer™ effectiveness is not based on Relative Humidity, as with other, energy intensive, condensation devices. We never stop making improvements, and continuous process improvement is a core competency. Your contribution will help us achieve that goal!

What if the air is polluted? Will the water also be polluted?

Great Question! The water that condenses from the air using WaterSeer™ is pure, distilled water without impurities. It is cleaner than rain water, which catches particulates as it falls to the ground. As pure, distilled water, it is cleaner than tap water without any additives, impurities, or chemicals of any kind.

How will the device be cleaned? How will you keep debris and insects out of the water?

In the current design concept, we use a filter to keep debris and insects from falling into the device. The WaterSeer™ condensation chamber below ground is inserted in a sleeve so it is easily removable for inspection and cleaning. Field tests showed the water collected to be virtually free of particulates over a one week period, and cleaner than rain water in terms of pollutants and pathogens.

Why haven’t projects or devices like this succeeded in the past? What makes WaterSeer™ different?

Previous solutions based on condensation use a great deal of energy, usually in the form of diesel-powered compressors and evaporators. They are basically big air conditioners. Some use powerful and dangerous chemicals that can damage the immediate environment. They are also difficult to move, require high technical skills to operate, and expensive to operate and maintain. WaterSeer™ uses no power or chemicals of any kind. It is completely non-polluting and its simple construction is inexpensive and maintenance free.

Why not simply dig a

well to get water where

people live?

Where people need water is rarely the best location for a well; in fact, most locations are completely unsuitable for ground water wells. In addition, good water is frequently including high mineral content, in some cases are very harmful levels. Well water purity is changeable, the maintenance is expensive, and sustaining a ground water well frequently requires specialized technical skills to operate and maintain. WaterSeer™, by contrast, can be installed anywhere.

You list the National Peace Corps Association as a partner. What role are they playing in this project?

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) has been involved in the development of WaterSeer™ since the initial testing in April 2016 at UC Berkley, and they have agreed to coordinate field testing of WaterSeer™ in targeted emerging economies in the coming year. NPCA and VICI Labs have a formal agreement to promote NPCA member entrepreneurs and to facilitate the development of NPCA member innovations.

The faculty and all four teams that participated in the WaterSeer™ Challenge in the UC Berkeley Collider project made contributions to improving the WaterSeer™ model. Especially valuable was the contribution of, Stratus, the winning team in the WaterSeer™ Challenge. The Stratus team was led by Ian St. Louis, and included Jack Purvis, Trevor Hansen, Theo Fedronic, and Elliot Gutekunst. A video describing the project in the words of the faculty and all the teams can be found below. Additional information can be found by clicking here to visit the Indiegogo page.

What role did the

UC Berkeley Collider

Project play?

Will WaterSeer™ stop working above or below a certain temperature?

Efficiency improves in higher air temperature, so long as below-ground temperature remains stable, which is normally the case, outside of extreme desert environments. In colder environments, the WaterSeer™ will continue to produce while the Reservoir and Condensation Chamber remain above freezing. We are developing a Cold Weather kit for extremely cold and subarctic environments.

What happens if you don't pump out the water? Will it eventually overflow?

As the reservoir fills, the water rises to cover the condensation chamber, gradually decreasing condensation yield until it stops when the chamber is completely filled. Condensation resumes once the reservoir is emptied.

Can multiple WaterSeer™s be combined to collect water into a central or common reservoir? Can you valve and hose so it automatically drains into a common reservoir?

Yes, the WaterSeer™ is developed in a module form so it can be clustered into WaterSeer™ 'Orchards'. There is some care required in placing them to assure that ground temperature does not rise, reducing performance. We recommend that a WaterSeer™ 'Orchard' reservoirs be connected underground to drain into a cistern for storage to assure production continues when the reservoir is not emptied for some reason. We are also designing a very large capacity WaterSeer™ for municipal use.

I am concerned about the water that is being collected is distilled. I have heard that continuous drinking of distilled water will leech nutrients and minerals from a human body.

There are a variety of water purity and quality tools and techniques that can be added after production, depending on preferences, regional expectations, and local laws and regulations. As pure distilled water, the WaterSeer™ product can be modified or enhanced to meet any health requirement or preference.

Is it possible to see a WaterSeer™ up close?

No, we are currently in the design and field testing phase. When the next phase of field testing begins next year, we will open testing areas to the WaterSeer™ community.

Will it be possible to remove the wind turbine during very high winds?

The turbine and fan are removable, however we are considering replacing it with a more robust vent with no moving parts that can withstand winds of up to 200 mph. Both the helical fan and the vent will be available as optional purchases.

What are WaterSeer™'s dimensions?

We are currently in the design and field testing phase, so final dimensions are not known yet. However, we think that the standard WaterSeer™ Ground Condenser is about three feet above the ground and six feet below ground. The above ground pipe is six inches in diameter. The Intake module is about 20 inches at the widest point.

Are you considering regional distribution partners?

Yes, we are talking with potential partners, but have made no agreements at this time.