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The Earth's water is always in movement, and the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Since the water cycle is truly a "cycle," there is no beginning or end. Water can change states among liquid, vapor, and ice at various places in the water cycle, with these processes happening in the blink of an eye and over millions of years. Knowing how the system works allows us to provide water where most people see none. 

Currently, 97% of the Earth’s water is sea water—which is undrinkable.  Of the 3% that is fresh, 70% is locked into polar ice.  Of the remaining 30%, it is in lakes, rivers, underground -- which is mostly polluted.  Excepting for 25%, which is treatable. Which leaves 0.4% potable water. Water Distribution Table.
 
Drawbacks to AWG's
They cause a building's AC to remain "on", as it adds heat to the room.  In an office setting, it works best with the back of the unit placed near an open window, if possible.
The only non-green waste product is the filter, which must be disposed of in a landfill.

If the air temperature or relative humidity is too low, most  AWG's don't work well. The ACT5907-88C works in 18% RH and 40 degrees air temperature.

Overview of Hydrology:

The Hydrologic Cycle is also known as the "Water Cycle", or the natural process by which the water circulates between the surface of the earth to the atmosphere and back.  There is 2 1/2 times the water in the air than there is in all the water on the surface of the  planet.  This includes all the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and aquifers.  Observe the following diagrams; as you elevate your thinking in terms of humidity, condensation and retrieval.

Dr. Edward Group, DC, ND, DACBN
How an AWG Works
An AWG uses refrigeration, which mimic today’s dehumidification technique to condense water from air. Blower driven air is drawn into the system through an electrostatic filter. In the machine's exterior housing, a compressor circulates refrigerant through a coil array located in the path of the air providing a temperature differential between the air and coil surface, resulting in condensing about 40% of the water from the air passing by the chilled tubes.

The condensation is funneled into a holding tank. A level switch in the holding tank controls the water making cycle. Water is pump circulated in an ozone generating UV light chamber to kill bacteria and then through high and low density charcoal filters to remove solids and oxygenate. It is finally collected back in the holding tank. The water filtration cycle is both flow and time controlled. Water is dispensed by tap valve diversion.

The actual amount of water produced depends on relative humidity and ambient air temperature. Relative humidity measures the amount of water vapor present in the air at a given temperature. The higher the relative humidity and air temperature, the more effective most all of these devices are. Typically these refrigeration-based devices do not work efficiently when the temperature gets below 15.5°C (60°F) or the relative humidity drops below 40%. or at High Altitudes above 4000 feet.  However, we have machines that extract water at 18% RH, and 28 degrees.
Why We Need Atmospheric Water Technology

With the US Federal goal as stated by EO 13423 of reducing water consumption by 20% by 2016, while the US population is growing by 35 million by 2020, many regions of the country are in severe drought status---Where are we going to get the water for the expanding population, industry, increased need of water for agriculture, etc?

By extracting water from the air, this method is working cooperatively with nature rather than against her. There is 3,094 cubic miles of water in the atmosphere, ready to be extracted earth as dew, rain, snow, fog and other forms of precipitation.



Atmospheric water systems, chill and condense the water that is already in the air taking it from a gaseous form to a liquid form.  In doing so, two byproducts are produced: clean air and drinkable, usable water. 
 
With this technology implemented, reservoirs that are drying up can be filled with the humidity around the lake.  Dry, desert regions, like Nevada in the South West USA, the dew at night can be harvested, put into a reservoir and utilized to water fields or supplement water supplies to cities.
 
AWG technology has been used by several US government agencies to make a few buildings in California water independent.  By recycling the AC water condensation, the building can be retrofitted with an AC/AWG unit, making the building self-sustained with water, temperature and humidity contolled, while keeping the air in the building clean from toxins and pollution.