Water from Thin Air: How Altitude Water is Transforming Disaster Relief

In our latest Green Tech Pulse episode, I spoke with Jeffrey Szur, founder of Altitude Water, about their revolutionary technology that creates drinking water from air. What began as a vision 15 years ago has evolved into a game-changing solution for disaster relief and water security worldwide.

The Technology: Mimicking Nature’s Water Cycle

The foundational principle behind Altitude Water’s technology is remarkably simple yet powerful: mimic nature’s water cycle. As Jeffrey explained, “Nature does things the right way. We have the same amount of water as when the Earth was created.”

Their atmospheric water generators condense moisture from the air—similar to how your air conditioner creates condensation—but with crucial differences:

Starting with pure water: When water evaporates naturally, it leaves contaminants behind. Altitude Water’s technology captures this naturally distilled water.
Chemical-free purification: Unlike municipal systems that rely heavily on chlorine and other chemicals, their systems use ozone—a natural gas that’s 1,000 times more powerful than chlorine as a water purifier.
Mineral enhancement: Since naturally condensed water is slightly acidic (pH 5.6-6.0), they add back beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium to achieve optimal drinking water (pH 7.8-8.2 or 10.1).

Disaster Relief Reimagined

The most striking application of this technology is their disaster relief trailer—a completely self-contained unit that provides water, power, and communication during emergencies.

Each trailer features:

Atmospheric water generators producing up to 210 gallons daily
60kW of battery storage
Solar panels covering the trailer and 12 deployable ground panels
Starlink satellite internet
Water purification systems capable of treating 1,500 gallons daily from other sources

These systems became crucial during recent disasters, including the Maui wildfires and Hurricane Helene’s devastation in Asheville, North Carolina.

“We’re transforming disaster relief,” Jeffrey noted. “The disaster relief industry has a very high carbon footprint because when people are in need, you’re not worrying about your footprint. You’re shipping in tons of bottled water, but those plastic bottles stay there, creating a second environmental hazard.”

Beyond Disaster Relief: Global Water Access

Altitude Water’s impact extends beyond emergency response. They’ve recently completed a project in Maca, Cameroon, providing 1,000 gallons of water daily to a village where women previously walked 4.3 kilometers to collect unsafe water.

Funded by L’Oreal’s Women’s Sustainability Fund, this million-dollar project includes not just water production but an educational hub with internet access for online schooling. With their basic water needs met, local women now have four more hours daily to learn skills and crafts.

“There’s no better feeling than a kid coming up and telling you ‘thank you so much because my brother died of a water-related disease, and thank you for bringing us pure water,'” Jeffrey shared.

The Perfect Storm of Innovation

What makes Altitude Water’s approach particularly significant now is what Jeffrey calls “the perfect storm”—the convergence of water scarcity awareness, advances in renewable energy, and improvements in water technology.

Their disaster trailers highlight this synergy, combining:

Renewable energy from solar
Advanced water production technology
Energy efficiency improvements
Modern communication systems
All in a compact, mobile package

This integration shows how green technology innovations can compound each other, creating solutions greater than the sum of their parts.

Creating Both Impact and Profit

For other green tech entrepreneurs looking to make a difference, Jeffrey offers candid advice about balancing impact and profitability:

“Nothing continues without profits. I can talk all day long about how good it feels to see a kid thank me, but if I’m not making a profit and can’t pay my staff, I don’t have a team.”

He encourages entrepreneurs to:

Seek strategic partnerships with companies wanting to make a positive impact
Connect with like-minded investors who value both financial returns and legacy
Demonstrate the business case for social impact
Stay resilient through setbacks

“I can’t do good if I’m not doing well,” he noted, emphasizing that sustainable business models must underpin environmental and social missions.

The Business Case for Doing Good

Jeffrey shared a compelling argument for why established businesses should invest in disaster relief and community support: it builds brand loyalty and customer goodwill that translates to business success.

Using the example of a retailer deploying their trailer during a disaster, he explained: “When things get back to normal, where are people going to shop for Christmas? They’re going to go to the store that was there for them in their time of need.”

This perspective reframes corporate social responsibility not as charity but as community investment with tangible returns.

A Future Pulled from Thin Air

As climate change increases water insecurity and extreme weather events, technologies like Altitude Water’s represent a hopeful path forward. Their approach addresses multiple challenges simultaneously:

Water security: Creating clean drinking water where traditional sources are unavailable
Disaster resilience: Providing essential services during emergencies
Community development: Supporting educational and economic opportunities
Reduced plastic waste: Eliminating the need for bottled water
Energy independence: Using renewable power for critical infrastructure

For Jeffrey, the mission extends beyond technology to a philosophy of stewardship: “We go by the proverb: you don’t inherit the planet from your grandparents; you’re a holder and keeper of it for your grandkids.”

To learn more about Altitude Water’s technology and projects, visit altdwater.com or follow them on social media. You can listen to the full conversation with Jeffrey Szur on Green Tech Pulse, available on all major podcast platforms.

Join us next week for another deep dive into the innovations shaping a more sustainable future.