Water is precious, water is vital and it’s becoming more and more scarce. In Third World countries, expensive wastewater treatment plants are supposed to guarantee water supply – but in rural regions of Africa or India, some spend hours each day just to reach water and the social and economic costs are enormous. The BMW Designer Stephan Augustin has invented a mobile solution that could be a part of the answer: A solar powered water de-salinator called the “Watercone”! For this, Augustine will receive the EnergyGlobe Award at the European Parliament in Brussels next week, but before this, he answered our questions. Check out the Watercone Video, too!
Mr. Stephan Augustin, congratulations for the big success of your Watercone. Would you imagine celebrating your EnergyGlobe Award with a glass of desalinated water?Oh, yes! Of course. In the western world we are used to consuming all kinds of food and beverages every day without a thought. But in being aware of the situation where pure water is a luxury for one billion people in the world every day, a glass of fresh desalinated water would be just the right symbol to celebrate this success.How does the water from the Watercone taste?

Well, the taste is not like premium mineral water, to be honest it tastes boring. But it is clean and safe to drink and this was the main goal of the project.How did you get the idea for the Watercone?

Sitting on the beach on a vacation in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, I had the idea to think up the impossible: What if one could actually and easily convert the abundant sea water from the oceans of the world into a daily ration of drinking water. This idea, toghether with my professional background as an industrial designer, was a challenge to me.

As we can see in the Watercone video, the principle of the Watercone is as brilliant as it is simple. How does it work exactly?

Pour salty or brackish water into pan. Then float the Watercone on top. The black pan absorbs the sunlight and heats up the water to support evaporation. The evaporated water condenses in the form of droplets on the inner wall of the cone. These droplets trickle down the inner wall into a circular trough at the inner base of the cone. By unscrewing the cap at the tip of the cone and turning the cone upside down, one can empty the potable water gathered in the trough directly into a drinking device.How much solar power do you need to run the Watercone?As described before, the Watercone is a solar powered desalinator. The condensation runs only with sunlight. The longer and hotter, the better.

In which regions in the world could the Watercone help to solve the problem of water shortage?For millions of people who are living in oceanic and coastal regions throughout Africa, Asia and South America, there would be what one can mildly describe as a shift in paradigms: The sea, an unlimited yet untouchable enemy of thirst, would become a friend, a helper, a thirst quencher to common man. For the first time in human history.Watercone Designer Stephan Augustin

With a Watercone, you can produce 6 or 7 glasses of fresh water a day. How could you create an area-wide solution out of the Watercone-idea?The design of the Watercone is based on the minimum individual supply for one child or two Watercones for an adult person. The philosophy of this innovation is, that many small units will ensure a better supply of freshwater than one single big generator. If the big one fails, there is no water for the village. If a small one fails, the other ones still work.Who is interested in utilizing the Watercone so far?

I have collected more than 1000 requests from individuals to worldwide operating organizations and companiess who are interested to sell and distribute the Watercone. With my new production partner we will have a good starting position.

Could the Watercone be used for other purposes, for example at camping sites?

No! This product is designed for people in need and not the ones who want to relax.Where can you buy a Watercone? How expensive is it?

A new production tool and distributor is set up at the moment and I hope to start production at the end of this year. This is the reason why I cannot say anything about the final price but it will definitely be much cheaper than before.The Watercone is shown on display, where exactly can you see it?The Watercone will be exhibited to the public at the EXPO in Zaragossa and at the Achitecture Biennale in Venice Italy this year in September. Mr. Augustin, thank you very much for the interview!