Monaco palace installs Israeli water-from-air technology

Watergen’s machines that produce drinking water from atmospheric humidity could help rid Monaco of plastic water bottles, says company president.

Monaco’s Prince Albert II installed a made-in-Israel Watergen machine in his palace to produce clean drinking water from ambient air.

The prince, an active proponent of combating plastic pollution, received the unit on September 9 when he met with Michael Mirilashvili, Watergen’s president.

The meeting between Mirilashvili and Prince Albert II was part of an event hosted by Tel Aviv University and businessman Aaron G. Frenkel to launch the “Combat Pollution Initiative.” The plan aims to use various Israeli technologies in the battle against pollution in the Mediterranean region.

The Watergen GEN-350 model, a medium-scale atmospheric water generator, can produce up to 900 liters of high-quality drinking water daily for hundreds of workers in the palace.

Mirilashvili suggested to the prince that Watergen’s machines of various sizes could help Monaco end its reliance on plastic water bottles in restaurants, tourist sites and hotels.

Watergen’s technology pulls ambient humidity from the air, cleans it and cools it to dew point to cause condensation. The machine then adds minerals to bring the water to drinking quality.

Watergen’s machines have been installed in countries including India, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Costa Rica and Chile. They have provided water to participants at events including the World Cup in Russia.

The technology also has been sent to regions across the United States following natural disasters.

Watergen’s GENNY unit for home use was nominated for “Best of Innovation” and “Tech for a Better World” awards at the 2019 CES show in Las Vegas.