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Business Upturn
28-06-2025
- Business Upturn
Aqua Tower Water System Explained: Build Your Own Off-Grid Atmospheric Generator for DIY Water Independence (2025)
Austin, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — What Is the Aqua Tower System? Unlike its namesake, the Aqua Tower system we're discussing here is not a high-rise building. It's a unique DIY educational framework designed to help individuals construct their atmospheric water generator. In a world grappling with droughts, contamination fears, and reliance on aging infrastructure, the Aqua Tower system stands out as a solution that promotes decentralization, self-reliance, and climate resilience. Unlike commercial units that cost thousands of dollars, the Aqua Tower is a set of downloadable blueprints, visual guides, and instructional content. It allows everyday users to construct an off-grid, solar-compatible device that captures humidity from the air, condenses it, and stores it as usable water, all at a fraction of the cost of commercial units. By distinguishing itself from real estate projects and reframing the term 'Aqua Tower' within the context of sustainability and preparedness, this system redefines what water autonomy can look like at the individual level. Disambiguation: Not a Condo — A Climate Solution It's worth repeating: the Aqua Tower system is not a residential high-rise, apartment complex, or luxury skyscraper. While the name 'Aqua Tower' is also used by Studio Gang for its iconic 82-story mixed-use building in downtown Chicago—known for its undulating balconies, green roof, and vertical community concept—this Aqua Tower has no connection to the architecture or real estate of that building. Despite the confusion caused by the shared name, the Aqua Tower water system is not a real estate project. It's a comprehensive guide for building a personal atmospheric water generator designed to help individuals convert air moisture into clean drinking water. This guide is a valuable resource for those interested in climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and DIY water independence. Searchers looking for an 'Aqua Tower water system' or 'Aqua Tower off-grid water generator' are not seeking Chicago's skyline but a solution to water scarcity in their home, homestead, or preparedness plan. That's why this long-form guide exists: to clarify and elevate the water system concept in SEO while maintaining total separation from real estate branding. The Aqua Tower generator is not a building—it's a building. While the term 'Aqua Tower' may evoke images of real estate listings or high-rise apartments in search results, this educational guide focuses entirely on water independence and environmental resilience. SEO noise around luxury housing has made it harder for legitimate innovations in atmospheric water generation to gain visibility. That's why this guide is framed as a hands-on, public knowledge solution for individuals—not corporations—looking to regain control of their most critical resources. The 2025 Water Crisis: Why DIY Atmospheric Water Is on the Rise In 2025, water scarcity isn't a looming threat — it's a present-day emergency. Lake Mead and Lake Powell continue to recede, aquifers are tapped to exhaustion, and more municipalities are issuing water restrictions. Climate scientists confirm that the U.S. is experiencing a megadrought, the worst in 1,200 years. With failing infrastructure and supply chain disruptions, even city dwellers are seeking ways to safeguard basic needs. Search trends reflect this shift. Google queries for terms like 'DIY water generator,' 'atmospheric water from air,' and 'off-grid water solution' have more than doubled in the past two years. Citizens are no longer just filtering tap water — they're investigating how to generate it. Interest has expanded beyond prepper communities and into mainstream forums, where homeowners, apartment renters, and even teachers are exploring home-based water harvesting solutions. Within this context, the Aqua Tower guide has gained traction as one of the most accessible, modular, and replicable methods for reclaiming control over water sourcing. It addresses the growing demand for household-level solutions in an era when utilities can no longer be taken for granted. Unlike product-driven solutions, the Aqua Tower focuses on empowerment and resilience, instilling a sense of empowerment and resilience in its users. How the Aqua Tower Works: A Simplicity-First Design The Aqua Tower operates using the basic principle of condensation. By cooling humid air below its dew point, it extracts water vapor and collects it in a storage reservoir. Think of it as the DIY cousin to expensive military-grade air-to-water machines built with affordable, retail-available parts. The instructional materials walk users through a simple architecture: Condensation Unit : Mimics HVAC technology to extract moisture. : Mimics HVAC technology to extract moisture. Collection Basin : Channels water safely into storage. : Channels water safely into storage. Filtration Stage : Offers flexible options for standard water safety measures (charcoal filters, UV light, etc.). : Offers flexible options for standard water safety measures (charcoal filters, UV light, etc.). Solar Integration: Optional add-on for users seeking full off-grid capability. This system doesn't rely on proprietary hardware or expensive gadgets. Instead, it's intentionally open-source and adaptable, encouraging users to innovate based on available materials and regional humidity levels. Users can also scale the system to meet their needs, with some creating compact models for apartments and others building full-sized harvesting towers for small homesteads, showcasing the system's adaptability and resourcefulness. Key Features of the Aqua Tower System Modular Design : Built-in layers — users can upgrade over time. : Built-in layers — users can upgrade over time. Affordability : The total estimated build cost is often under $200. : The total estimated build cost is often under $200. Energy Flexibility : Compatible with both standard outlets and solar panels. : Compatible with both standard outlets and solar panels. Accessibility : Requires no engineering experience; built for laypeople. : Requires no engineering experience; built for laypeople. Transparency : No subscription fees, locked-in filters, or branded parts. : No subscription fees, locked-in filters, or branded parts. Adaptability : Works with locally available materials and variable climate conditions. : Works with locally available materials and variable climate conditions. Skill Building: Encourages users to develop knowledge in physics, airflow, water safety, and sustainable engineering. In addition, the blueprint is designed to accommodate variable climate conditions. While water output will differ based on ambient humidity, even semi-arid zones can yield usable volumes of water, especially overnight, when relative humidity increases. The guide includes charts and data tables to help users estimate water production based on geographic regions and seasonal weather patterns. Who Should Use the Aqua Tower System and Why The Aqua Tower water system appeals to a broad spectrum of users. While it originated from off-grid survivalist thinking, its application has expanded into mainstream households, educational environments, and urban settings. Whether someone is preparing for long-term resilience or exploring sustainable solutions, Aqua Tower meets people where they are. Off-Grid Enthusiasts and Homesteaders : For those living in areas without municipal water infrastructure, Aqua Tower offers a scalable method of water generation that doesn't rely on wells or rain collection. : For those living in areas without municipal water infrastructure, Aqua Tower offers a scalable method of water generation that doesn't rely on wells or rain collection. Urban Renters and Apartment Dwellers : Even individuals in multi-unit buildings can use modified, compact versions of the system for balcony or rooftop water harvesting. : Even individuals in multi-unit buildings can use modified, compact versions of the system for balcony or rooftop water harvesting. RV Travelers and Van Lifers : With portable solar power and a sealed reservoir, this water system serves as a practical mobile hydration option. : With portable solar power and a sealed reservoir, this water system serves as a practical mobile hydration option. Science Educators and Students : Teachers in STEM programs use Aqua Tower to illustrate environmental science, thermodynamics, and sustainable engineering in action. : Teachers in STEM programs use Aqua Tower to illustrate environmental science, thermodynamics, and sustainable engineering in action. Emergency Planners: Households preparing for natural disasters, power outages, or water shortages can add Aqua Tower to their readiness plans. In short, anyone who values self-reliance, resource innovation, or independence from clean water sources is a candidate for this system. Who's Using Aqua Tower: Real-World Use Cases Off-Grid Homesteaders : Families in remote areas without access to well drilling or piped utilities are adapting Aqua Tower to generate essential daily water. : Families in remote areas without access to well drilling or piped utilities are adapting Aqua Tower to generate essential daily water. Urban Preppers : City-based individuals are customizing small units to operate discreetly on fire escapes, rooftops, and even near windows with high indoor humidity. : City-based individuals are customizing small units to operate discreetly on fire escapes, rooftops, and even near windows with high indoor humidity. Science Classrooms : Schools from elementary to college level are integrating Aqua Tower into lesson plans focused on climate, conservation, and applied physics. : Schools from elementary to college level are integrating Aqua Tower into lesson plans focused on climate, conservation, and applied physics. Online Communities: The system is regularly discussed in prepping forums, YouTube build walkthroughs, and Reddit DIY engineering threads. These use cases demonstrate that the system is not only flexible but has also been widely adopted by a diverse group of users with varied lifestyles and needs. Limitations and Honest Expectations Transparency is one of the pillars of the Aqua Tower mission. While the system offers a unique path to water resilience, it is not a one-size-fits-all miracle device. It's essential to understand what it can and cannot do: Humidity Dependence : Atmospheric water generation requires a certain threshold of moisture in the air. In desert environments or at high elevations, water yield may be minimal. The guide includes climate charts and workarounds, but physical limits still apply. : Atmospheric water generation requires a certain threshold of moisture in the air. In desert environments or at high elevations, water yield may be minimal. The guide includes climate charts and workarounds, but physical limits still apply. Not a Medical Device : Aqua Tower is not a certified purifier. It's a guide to building a harvesting system. Users are responsible for implementing additional safety and filtration layers tailored to their specific water needs and local environmental contaminants. : Aqua Tower is not a certified purifier. It's a guide to building a harvesting system. Users are responsible for implementing additional safety and filtration layers tailored to their specific water needs and local environmental contaminants. Learning Curve : Although the instructions are beginner-friendly, users should expect to spend a few hours researching, sourcing parts, assembling, and testing their system. : Although the instructions are beginner-friendly, users should expect to spend a few hours researching, sourcing parts, assembling, and testing their system. Yield Variability: A basic Aqua Tower setup may produce anywhere from half a gallon to five gallons per day, depending on local humidity, airflow, and filtration. This realism helps build trust and attracts responsible users seeking functional tools—not hype or magical solutions. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: Is Aqua Tower a product I can buy ready-made? A: No. Aqua Tower is not a manufactured appliance. It is a DIY educational blueprint and instructional resource designed to help you build a system independently. Q: How much water can it actually generate per day? A: Output depends on your local climate. In regions with 50–70% humidity, users have reported yields of 1–5 gallons per day. At night, even arid areas often reach dew point levels that boost collection. Q: Can it replace my entire household water system? A: It's best used to supplement emergency or essential hydration needs. While scaling is possible, Aqua Tower is ideal for drinking, cooking, and storage—not high-volume uses like bathing or laundry. Q: Can I use solar to power it? A: Yes. The guide includes options and configurations for solar integration, allowing users to keep their system running even when the grid goes down. Q: What tools do I need to build it? A: Most setups require a small drill, screwdriver, sealant, and basic airflow components. The guide provides a detailed checklist with sourcing options. Q: How do I filter the water? A: The guide includes several modular options for purification, including carbon filtration, ceramic filters, and UV light setups. You can choose based on your comfort level and local water safety data. Q: Can I run it indoors? A: Technically, yes, but optimal performance occurs in ventilated, outdoor, or semi-exposed environments where humidity is higher and airflow is steady. Final Thoughts: Water Freedom Begins Here The Aqua Tower system is not a consumer gadget—it's an open-source toolset for a more resilient future. It represents a philosophical shift in how people think about water: not as a commodity to be bought or piped in, but as a renewable resource that anyone can access with the right tools and knowledge. In a world of increasing scarcity and declining trust in centralized systems, atmospheric water generation is no longer a niche solution; it has become a vital option. It's the front line of survival literacy. And Aqua Tower is helping to lead that shift—not by selling hardware, but by offering transparency, accessibility, and empowerment. Whether you're preparing for emergencies, experimenting with off-grid living, or simply interested in controlling where your drinking water comes from, Aqua Tower provides you with the blueprints, flexibility, and education to make it a reality. Contact Information Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado governor unveils plans for walkway in honor of the state's 150th birthday
On Thursday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis unveiled renderings for a pedestrian walkway that will connect the Capitol building to Lincoln Veterans Park and commemorate the state's 150th birthday. Polis said the Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway will improve accessibility among downtown Denver's public spaces and help revitalize the Civic Center area. Gov. Jared Polis Gov. Jared Polis The winding design will mimic the state's rivers and feature materials like sandstone, marble and granite, highlighting Colorado's geology. The governor's office said the walkway will include: Viewing platforms Sculptural monuments Newly commissioned artwork from Colorado artists Play elements Learning and storytelling opportunities "I'm thrilled that Coloradans can now visualize this walkway and its amazing positive impact on our community. Now, when Coloradans of all ages come to visit our State Capitol, they can more easily access and enjoy Lincoln Veterans Park while enjoying and learning from art from local artists. This interactive experience will showcase Colorado's history and look to our even stronger future. I want to thank Studio Gang for their work on this design, as well as all of the local artists who are going to make this walkway an important piece of public art for all to enjoy," said Polis. Gov. Jared Polis Gov. Jared Polis The 11,000-foot walkway is part of a partnership between the governor's office, P3 Office at the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration and History Colorado. It is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2026.
New York Times
22-04-2025
- Science
- New York Times
A New Hotel Says It's ‘Carbon Positive.' Is That Hype or Reality?
One of the first things to catch your eye on entering the Populus hotel in downtown Denver is what looks like sheets of cowhide hanging above the restaurant's bar. But the art installation material is actually Reishi, a leathery material made from mycelium, a root-like structure found in fungus. It's just one of many elements at the new 265-room hotel (rates from $299) that are meant to evoke nature and underscore a broader mission to offer what the Populus bills as an exceptional level of sustainability. (A second, 120-room Populus with a similar approach will open in Seattle this spring.) In fact, the hotel, designed by the Chicago-based Studio Gang firm, claims it is the United States' first 'carbon-positive' hotel (meaning that it is supposed to sequester more carbon than it emits). It's a bold statement, but just one among a growing list of self-applied superlatives by other properties. Aruba's Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, for example, calls itself 'the Caribbean's first and only certified carbon-neutral resort.' IHG Hotels and Resorts bills its new Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park in Exeter, England — with an exterior clad in electricity-generating vertical photovoltaic panels — as the brand's first net zero-carbon hotel. The Alohilani Resort in Honolulu says it is the 'first hotel in Hawaii to announce carbon neutral certification commitment.' The Populus's claims go a step further, said Joseph Romm, a senior research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media, and author of 'The Hype About Hydrogen: False Promises and Real Solutions in the Race to Save the Climate.' The hotel, he said, 'has the chutzpah to claim they are being a net positive for the climate, which is a much stronger claim than neutral.' 'A hotel has a lot of impact on the environment,' said Jon Buerge, the president of Urban Villages, the Denver-based developer behind the Populus. He said his team didn't find many properties that they felt took a holistic approach to reducing environmental impact while also enhancing guests' experience. The hotel's design intends to mimic the experience of being inside a tree, from the 'forest floor' aesthetic of the ground level to the rooftop restaurant and deck with citywide views (the 'canopy'). Of course, the most environmentally conscious approach would have been to not build anything. But the hotel's prime location on an unused downtown lot means the site was unlikely to escape redevelopment. Amid a hospitality landscape in which many hotels have moved far beyond the simple bathroom-counter placard urging you to reuse your towel, how does the Populus measure up? It Begins With the Building The Populus's approach started at construction, with a concrete mix said to emit 30 percent less carbon dioxide than regular concrete. Repurposed elements are heavily relied on, including wood from an already felled cottonwood tree for the reception desk; beetle-kill pine for some walls and bed headboards; and snow fencing from Wyoming as decorative ceiling beams. The 365 glass-fiber-reinforced concrete panels on the hotel's exterior, inspired by the bark of aspen trees, help keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter. The hotel did not build a parking garage — instead it uses existing lots in the area for valet parking, and encourages public transit for guests. Measures like these, said Shivya Nath, who runs the consulting firm Climate Conscious Travel, help reduce a building's embodied carbon, or the carbon emitted by making, using and eventually disposing of materials like concrete, steel and insulation. According to the American Institute of Architects, almost 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide result from construction materials, and embodied carbon makes up 11 percent of this total. Other measures used by the Populus include guest rooms that rely on durable textiles; carpeting made from recycled, biodegradable materials; and a biodigester that turns food waste from the hotel's Pasque and Stellar Jay restaurants into a nutrient-dense liquid, which is then mixed with compost to fertilize local fields. An online carbon dashboard tracks the hotel's emissions and offsets for curious guests. 'They have a lot of things in the right place,' said Ms. Nath. Carbon Offsets: How Effective Are They? The Populus also relies on carbon offsets, as do many other sustainability-focused hotels that compensate for at least part of their emissions by tree planting, for example, or purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs). (A REC equates to one megawatt-hour of renewable power in environmental value.) With 20 properties worldwide, Florida-based 1 Hotels, for instance, contributes to reforestation projects through the Arbor Day Foundation and 'has also offset more than 46,000 metric tons of CO2 to date through independently verified carbon credits,' according to Elizabeth Traub, a hotel spokesperson. Room2's residence-style Chiswick in London works with a reforestation partner in Nicaragua. And the Alohilani Resort plants trees in Hawaii and buys additional offsets. Climate change experts have debunked the efficacy of most such measures. 'I don't know any company right now that is serious about climate change that still thinks tree planting is a legit offset,' said Mr. Romm. That's because the seedlings take time to grow into trees, which can then take years to fully absorb — and truly offset — carbon. Additionally, those trees are at risk of infestation and vulnerable to weather and wildfire. The Populus's own tree-planting efforts faced that kind of vulnerability. In 2022, when the hotel was being constructed, it paid for the planting of some 77,000 Engelmann spruce in Colorado in a partnership with the National Forest Foundation to replace trees wiped out by mountain pine beetles. Extreme weather killed 80 percent of the saplings. Mr. Buerge said the higher-than-expected death rate hasn't dissuaded his team from its belief in the program's ultimate efficacy in tipping the hotel's scale to carbon positive. The Populus aims to plant another 50,000 to 70,000 trees this year. The Need for Legislation Class action suits against companies making misleading environmental claims are increasing in the United States. California adopted a bill in 2023 that requires companies to disclose evidence for carbon neutrality and similar statements. In Europe, the legal system is paying close attention to the sustainability claims of businesses. 'Major companies have lost court cases in Europe in recent years for merely saying they are carbon neutral based on dubious offsets,' said Mr. Romm. Indeed, in Germany, hotels can no longer advertise that they are climate neutral without proof. And hotels throughout the European Union must comply with a new directive against greenwashing — overstating environmental claims — that will take effect next year. Perhaps a more accurate claim than carbon neutral is the one made by the Hotel Marcel in New Haven, Conn., which opened in 2022 in a retrofitted, 1960s, Marcel Breuer-designed building. The property calls itself America's first fossil-fuel-free hotel, thanks to more than 1,000 solar panels that help power the hotel's electric infrastructure. But some question environmental mitigation itself. Such steps are well-meaning but ultimately ineffective, according to Auden Schendler, the author of 'Terrible Beauty: Reckoning With Climate Change and Rediscovering Our Soul,' and the former senior vice president of sustainability for Aspen One, which oversees the Aspen Skiing Company. He argues that real sustainability comes with changes in governmental policy, not via the free market. 'These actions are voluntary and taken by sub 1 percent of the hotel industry,' Mr. Schendler said. 'They're inadequate.' To really address food waste, for instance, Mr. Schendler suggested that the Populus's operators argue for better waste legislation. 'People listen to businesses,' he said. In fact, Mr. Buerge said that he was a voting member of Denver's climate change task force, which put in place regulations that aim to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in large buildings by 2040, and that he's currently on the city's sustainability council, working to improve electricity distribution, which would allow the Populus to go all electric. Others within the hospitality industry see value in individual mitigation. Amanda Ho, a co-founder of Regenerative Travel, a collection of independently owned, sustainably minded hotels, said, 'The private sector has more power in making change happen quickly. We'd be moving very slowly if we waited for government.' And what role does the traveler play? The best approach may be to appreciate the real sustainability measures hotels undertake, which can range from renewable energy and eliminating single-use items to local sourcing, without attributing as much to hyped-up marketing messages. At their best, hotels that emphasize sustainability may increase environmental awareness among guests. 'It's not just about building more efficiently and reducing our carbon footprint,' said Mr. Buerge of his hotel's mission. 'My hope is that someone leaves the Populus and says the natural world is pretty amazing and we need to protect it.' Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business Journals
Memphis Flyway's visitor attraction, economic potential for Downtown Memphis
Memphis River Parks Partnership's Andrew Kiepe: "This gives people an excuse to stop, get out, and experience the Mississippi River." Andrew Kiepe has been with Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) for three years as its director of development. He's worked on the fundraising side — including the $61 million for Tom Lee Park and $10.8 million for the Memphis Flyway. The Flyway, which is set to be unveiled early next year, is at the southern end of Tom Lee Park, where Ashburn-Coppock Park begins. "It's naturally grown the last 30-plus years to become this very ecologically rich location that hosts a wide variety of animals right here in Downtown Memphis at that exact spot," Kiepe said. One aim of the new Flyway is to make the Mississippi River accessible to all. To that end, it will feature an observation deck at the river — the only one of its kind on the Mississippi River. The Flyway's design is being headed by the Chicago-based firm Studio Gang. Studio Gang recently won an award for its design of Tom Lee Park. Kiepe said the 218 foot by 60 foot area is ever changing. Flowers may be in bloom or guests may spot a fox. Kiepe noted that 40% of all North American birds fly over that pathway every year. There is economic potential there, according to Kiepe. "This is my most favorite fun fact I've recently found — enthusiasts who are into bird watching or just looking for specific animals, they spend more annually than hunting and fishing combined," he said. MRPP has a nature curriculum that teaches about natural spaces and the Mississippi River. Last year, the program saw 7,500 students. expand Andrew Kiepe of the Memphis River Parks Partnership Memphis River Parks Partnership Included in the Flyway is a pollinator garden. Kiepe said the garden draws insects, such as monarch butterflies. "The monarchs are a very important piece to the pollination process, which provides us the food that's on our table," he said. The area features understory trees and plantings like milkweed and pawpaw trees. Kiepe said the Flyway will give those who drive through the area a reason to stop and stay a while. "This gives people an excuse to stop, get out, and experience the Mississippi River," he said, adding that a recent study had some 1.5 million travelers coming through. "We hope that it's not only an ecological benefit and educational benefit, but a tourist attractor, whether it's just stopping for an hour and seeing our city and showing how great of a Downtown we have. We want to give them a reason want to come back, or maybe they'll stay, have lunch, and decide to use this as an overnight stop." Sign up for the Business Journal's free morning and afternoon daily newsletters to receive the latest business news impacting the Memphis metro area. Download the free Memphis Business Journal app for breaking news alerts on your phone. Memphis-Area Tourist Attractions 2023 attendance Rank Prior Rank Rank / Prior Rank / URL 1 1 Beale Street Historic District 2 2 Southland Casino Hotel 3 3 Gold Strike Casino Resort View this list
