Atmospheric water generator produces drinking water from thin air in Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Clean, safe drinking water made from thin air is now a reality in Jackson.

An atmospheric water generator produces more than 1,200 gallons of freshwater every day. The machine captures humidity from the air and cools it down to create liquid water. The water then goes through three stages of filtration, making it pure and safe to drink.

Public Service Commissioner De’Keither Stamps believes the technology could be a solution for Jackson’s water problems.

“Imagine if one of these was sitting beside every water tower that we have to produce water, to ensure people can have clean, safe, drinking water for years and generations to come,” Stamps said.

Retired U.S. Army Capt. Moses West developed his own atmospheric water generator. A machine is currently being used at the Quarters Assisted Living Facility, a senior citizens’ home.

“These should be next to water towers, assisted care living facilities, and high schools,” said West, founder of the Moses West Foundation. “We need this pure water. We need this water to grow food, we need this water to drink, we need this water for industrial processes.”

Cammie Kitchens, co-owner of the Quarters Assisted Living Facility, said the technology addresses a longstanding need.

“We’ve had the challenge of needing fresh, clean potable water for years; we now have a system that can support,” Kitchens said. “This is a three-story hotel that we’ve retrofitted to help people that have mild MR, as well as the handicapped. They don’t have the tools that a lot of people need, so when things go bad for us, it goes extra bad for them. Now they can shower, now they can have clean drinking potable water; we have a solution.”

West said the goal is to have more of these machines throughout Jackson.

Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.