Firm’s thirst world issue

ORMEAU-based water vending machine company Water3 has entered a partnership with Sydney’s Hydropoint to roll out “new and improved” water kiosks across Australia. There is just one problem. Hydropoint Pty Ltd is subject to a strike-off action by corporate regulator the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), meaning it has started the process of deregistering the company. ASIC would not say why it had taken the action but common reasons include non-payment of fees.

The new Water3 plan comes after its kiosks were removed from light rail stations following the end of its lease last year with head retail lessee Sunshine Kiosks.

A recent message from Water3 to clients says Hydropoint would roll out a network of “new and improved Water3 kiosks Australia wide branded as “Smart Water Kiosks”.

It said the roll out would start in Brisbane “in the coming weeks” before moving to Sydney and then across Australia. “All our Water3 existing customers who still hold credits on their accounts, will be transferred to be serviced by Hydropoint and you will be able to use those credits when Smart Water Kiosks come to a location near you,” the message reads.

“The kiosks will operate in the same way they always have but with improvements to the water quality, new graphics and more reliability across the network meaning less kiosk down time for the customers.”

Neither Hydropoint nor Water3 responded to requests for comment.

Water3 vending machines were ubiquitous at light rail stops for years prior to the company ending its lease agreement. Former director Damien Stone told the Bulletin in December that COVID had created difficulties for the operation making it “impossible to wipe down the machines between each use”.

The company is now run by Leicester Chatfield, formerly with alcoholic beverage company Lion Nathan.

New Zealand-born Brendon Wright is listed as the sole director of Hydropoint.

The website spruiks the opportunity for investors to buy Hydropoint machines using finance from associated companies and create a passive income from people purchasing the water.

It claims the machines are able to source water using special panels that draw water vapour from the ambient air via “hydropanel technology”.