Isn't this the coolest billboard ever?

It’s too abstract – the message was totally lost on me.

I think it’s amazing! Technology solving humanity’s problems, and a great recruitment ad for the school.

Cool!

Βrilliant, engineering put to excellent use. Hopefully it will spread elsewhere too.

Wow, that’s impressive, a genius idea!

A great idea. The kind of things human beings are famous for.

Hopefully, with this technology, the people who were previously handicapped by thirst and disease can become productive citizens of the world.

That’s the idea. Right? Or will they simply drink clean water on somebody else’s dime? In my opinion, it makes a difference.

Wow

Great idea. but….
According to their numbers the billboard makes 100 liters (roughly 25 gallons) per day. What did that sign cost? Look at the single mast mounting that must withstand high winds. Ignoring the equipment inside, the sign mount and installation is nearly $40,000. Let’s add $10,000 for the 5 reverse osmosis systems. Let’s ignore the required electricity for a moment, too. So, $50,000, for a system that makes 25 gallons per day. A system that must be managed, and maintained. A system that needs power to operate.

This is nice but will not save the world.
Here are some numbers for you. Where I live I pay $2.57 per 1000 gallons. The typical American uses 100–200 gallons of water per day. 25 gallons is a pittance.

The $50,000 might be better spent on birth control and moving the people where the food and water are. Sam Kinison

Definitely one of the best billboards ever. And the most helpful one too, apparently!

(Fluther answer) I hardly notice a billboard in the 1st place so why would this one be any different.

(Actual answer) I think more than a billboard it is a moisture condenser that looks like a billboard; similar to those fake trees that are really cell towers. In that respect, I think it is a novel ideal for that area.

Brought a smile to my face.

Thanks an GAs to all. @LuckyGuy A sign of the same size with a single mast mounting would cost a small fortune to erect even if it did nothing but display a message. How much more powerful is this ad? I’d guess its advertising value is well worth the money put into erecting it.

@ETpro You are correct. Even a simple billboard costs a fortune.
Hopefully the sign will inspire people to go to school and be educated, study engineering and physics. The advertising and education is the real value. The water it puts out is not enough for the high cost.

Unfortunately some people will look at that video and think “Let’s put 1000 of these in the in the desert! That will supply everyone in the village.” Easy to say when you don’t know the tremendous cost. The laws of physics and economics are hard to beat.

Maybe someone can invent a cheap sail that will let air through but trap water.
I still say the best, long range answer for no drinking water in the desert is to let the desert be desert and move people where the water is.

(gen) Unfortunately some people will look at that video and think “Let’s put 1000 of these in the in the desert! That will supply everyone in the village.” Easy to say when you don’t know the tremendous cost.
That is the rub, isn’t it; money? If people are willing to back a government to make war behind power, control, and oil when there is no imminent danger, and spend billions of dollars a day for a decade to do so. You’d think people would be willing to spend 5 times that to help people. Then again, a lot of times there is no profit in helping people or no gain in control of a region or influence.

@LuckyGuy True.

@Hypocrisy_Central Sadly, that’s true too.

But why did that kid waste all of that drinking water by pouring it on himself? How ungrateful.

(gen) But why did that kid waste all of that drinking water by pouring it on himself? How ungrateful.
I personally thought to think something about him dousing himself with all that water, then I thought why should I. It isn’t like kids here in the US don’t waste water and then some. If he can finally after who know how much of his life has passed get the privilege and pleasure to pour a bucket over his head, something we take for granted in the US, why not let him do it. It isn’t as if the machine won’t make any more.

@Hypocrisy_Central Unfortunately, however, water in that area is scarce, so these luxuries that USA people have to waste water away (although I’m not implying that I condone them) are not the same for an area that is less developed.
And my name isn’t Gen.

I know, that was gen for “in general”