Physico-chemical characterization of water obtained by condensation of moisture from an atmospheric water generator
摘要
The availability of freshwater remains a major and persistent challenge for many countries, especially in the Euro-Mediterranean region. In this context, the drinking water sector is the second-largest consumer, accounting for nearly 19% of total water usage. Tunisia is among the Mediterranean countries most affected by water scarcity, with an estimated per capita water availability of just 420 m3 per year. This critical situation necessitates a thorough reassessment of existing water management strategies and investment priorities. Over the past 20 years, several alternative water sources have been investigated to address this issue. One promising technological solution is atmospheric water generator (AWG), which produces potable water by condensing water vapor from the air. In this context, a prototype device (Kumulus Tunisia) was designed for field deployment across several regions in Tunisia. The main objective of this study was to assess the quality of the condensed water by analyzing its physicochemical parameters to verify compliance with international drinking water standards. According to the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union Drinking Water Directive, and Tunisian national regulations, the treated water met the required quality criteria. This was accomplished through turbidity reduction using 0.5-micron filters and disinfection with integrated UV filters (248 nm). Data from the three evaluated water regions indicated a low mineral content, averaging around 79 mg/L. Given this low level of mineralization, careful selection of pipe materials is essential to prevent potential corrosion or degradation.