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Watergen sent an Israeli water-making machine to assist rescue and recovery workers in California after the massive wildfires.
By: Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21C
An emergency response vehicle (ERV) carrying an innovative Israeli machine that pulls drinking water out of ambient air is on its way to California to provide hydration to police and firefighters dealing with the aftermath of two massive wildfires that have taken at least 87 lives.
The vehicle and the GEN-350 atmospheric water generator were sent by Watergen USA, the American subsidiary of the Israeli company that invented the system.
“The chairman of our company in Israel believes very strongly in humanitarian efforts to assist those who have lost everything in California,” said Yehuda Kaploun, president of Watergen USA.
Watergen USA CEO Ed Russo said aid workers can serve for longer periods of time if they have adequate drinking water, and the GEN-350 reduces the number of plastic bottles needed on scene.
The 800-kilogram (1,763-pound) Watergen GEN-350 can produce up to 156 gallons (600 liters) of water per day from the ambient air. The unit has an internal water-treatment system and needs no infrastructure to operate except electricity, which is supplied from a generator and charging stations on the ERV.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in the state of California.
Watergen USA has launched a Go Fund Me campaign to bring an additional ERV and a GEN-350 to California.
Watergen USA’s ERV previously brought a GEN-350 unit to Florida following Hurricane Michael in October. The company partnered with World Central Kitchen, an organization of chefs working to fight hunger and poverty, to prepare food for hurricane victims.
“Watergen USA was pleased to partner with some world-class chefs to assist in the rescue efforts to provide people with gourmet meals using the world’s best chefs and using the world’s best water,” said Kaploun.
