GLOBAL CHALLENGES

New Sky Energy Making Fresh Water from Waste

Dave Greenfield | Date: 05-26-10 | Comments

In California�s Central Valley, New Sky Energy is using propriety salt conversion technology to transform waste water into fresh water for agricultural irrigation.

Over 70 percent of the world is covered in water, but that doesn�t mean that 70 percent of the earth is covered in fresh water. In fact, the world�s population is facing a situation of �water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.� Clean water is a scarcity in many areas, and it is estimated that 1 billion people lack fresh drinking water, 2 billion lack �adequate sanitation� and some 4,000 children die each day as a result of waterborne illnesses. The need for fresh water is dire, and New Sky Energy is hoping to be the rain cloud at the end of a long drought.

California�s Central Valley, a leading agricultural hub for the country, is facing serious drought conditions. New Sky Energy, in conjunction with Westland Water District, is building a drainage water treatment facility in the Valley. Using propriety salt conversion technology, waste water will be converted into fresh water for the irrigation of this breadbasket.

The resulting brine salts will be used to create carbon neutral and carbon negative chemicals, including caustic soda, limestone, soda ash and acid. These can be used in a number of applications, including construction and fertilizer. New Sky hopes to desalinate 240,000 gallons of water a day, and turn about five tons of waste salts into chemicals. In addition, about 2.8 tons of CO2 would be trapped. Says New Sky Vice President Michael Ashford, �There are many companies that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint, and we give a carbon benefit to our customers.�

Sarah Woolf, a spokesperson for Westland Water District, says, �We are the largest agricultural district in the country, and we are always looking at new technology because we have limited water resources. This is one of the most promising and positive technologies we�ve seen.�

States New Sky Energy founder Dr. Deane Little: �This project opens up an entirely new path to cost-effective water treatment in the Central Valley. By converting drainage water into fresh water and clean chemicals, we can help solve freshwater shortages and drainage water pollution while creating clean tech jobs at the same time. We are excited to be putting our clean technology to work for California farmers and helping to transform waste in revenues.�

The waste is not unsubstantial: According to Ron Smith, CEO of Ag Water � New Sky, LLC, desalination of drainage water in Central Valley typically yields eight to 10 tons of solid waste per acre-foot of water treated. With New Sky�s technology, that waste is converted to �valuable agricultural and industrial commodities.� Dr. Little is especially excited about the prospect of providing positive results for farmers, the community, the environment and the economy of Central Valley and beyond.