First Nation in Yukon tests new machines to pull water from air

The Liard First Nation in Yukon is testing a new method of obtaining clean water pulling it out of the air.

An atmospheric water generatorinstalled in Watson Lake isgathering moisturefrom the air like a dehumidifier, then purifying it for drinking by using UV light.

When working properly,the machine can generate 30 litres a day,which isenough for a family's daily needs.

The concept has gone from prototypes to commercial production only in recent years.

A Canadian charity committed to supporting Indigenous communities, True North Aid, bought two machinesfor the community.

The First Nation's chief said the idea showspromise.

"Currentlywe deliver trucked water to about 150 homes and it's very expensive. We do have some wells but we have problems with the water out of those wells," Chief George Morgan said."This is an interesting solution."

The rollout hasn't been flawless. Two machines were initially installed in Watson Lake, but one has required some tech support to get working and is being swapped out.

"We're just winging it here and seeing what happens. We're interested to see how it rolls out. But in the short term, we see this as a solution for our public spaces," said Morgan.

Water generators could work with solar power

EricLittle, the chief financial officerat SEI logistics, helped set up the machines and provided support to get them running.

He said he thinks atmospheric water generators could be useful in Canada, especially in remote reserves and other communities dealing withboil-water advisories.

The Calgary-based company, which deals primarily withrenewable energy technology,is already working with Liard First Nation on a solar project.

Little said it would be ideal to use solar power to generate water.

The modelscost about $1,300 each and are made in Chinaby a company calledShenzhen FND Air and Water Technology Development Co.,Ltd., but can be discounted ifordered in larger volumes.

Because the machinesrequire electricity usingas much as a refrigerator Morgan said this may becost-prohibitive.

Little hopes theideawill catch on. He doesn't see the machines as a replacement for infrastructurelikewater treatment plants, but it could reduce the reliance on bottled water and boiling.

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