Raw water’s unfiltered truth

The off-grid water movement is gaining traction on the West Coast and “other pockets” around the U.S., according to the New York Times. Raw water – “unfiltered, untreated, unsterilized” – is garnering fans, and, perhaps most importantly, financial backing from Silicon Valley.

Arizona-based Zero Mass Water is one of several raw water start-ups to set up shop in recent years. Its Source solar panel system costs US$4,500, and enables customers to collect raw water from sunlight and air. It has acquired US$24 million in venture capital, the Times reports.

In addition to a negative reaction on social media, the idea of raw water has several experts shaking their heads and claiming that it could pose health risks. Drinking raw water – including that collected from the most pristine springs – is “dangerous,” food safety expert Bill Marler told Business Insider. Potentially deadly bacteria such as E. coli, diseases including cholera and Hepatitis A, and infections such as Giardia can all be transmitted via untreated water.

“This is deeply ridiculous (and possibly harmful),” Timothy Caulfield, Edmontonbased professor of health law and science policy, tweeted of the trend. “Great example of our embrace of the naturalistic fallacy & inability to understand risk.”

Skip Battle – member of the board at several tech juggernauts, including Netflix – is a Zero Mass Water investor. He told the Times that he not only drinks the raw water he collects from the atmosphere around his house, but cooks his meals with it as well.

“The water from the tap just doesn’t taste quite as refreshing,” Battle told the Times. “Now is that because I saw it come off the roof, and anything from the roof feels special? Maybe.”

Another raw water supplier, Live Water, in Los Angeles, Calif., claims a range of vague and scientifically unsupported health benefits. It promises “better oxygenation of cells,” “super effective detoxification” and reversal of the aging process on its website. As you might have guessed, its line of products do not come cheap. A 2.5-gallon (9.5-litre) glass orb retails for US$60.99 (up from US$36.99 since the Times’ article); and refills cost US$14.99.