It makes 100 liters of water a day. It’s called Warka Water in the Desert and it’s a kind of tree that takes away the thirst. It produces water in arid regions, a region of the world where drought is widespread and where the serious food crisis hit in 2016, according to ONU report

During a trip to arid landscapes, the Arturo Vittori , whose studies focused on energy optimization, aimed at allowing human life in contexts devoid of any resource and, first of all, water, immune to the plague of indifference, was deeply shocked to see women and children walking for miles under the suffocating heat, with the sole aim of procuring drinking water, transported with heavy jerrycans to the villages, in a sort of pagan ritual for survival, which is constantly repeated, day after day, for a lifetime.

The Architect Arturo Vittori, with his collaborator, Andreas Vogler

Studio of the Architecture and Vision studio, CEO of the non-profit Warka Water Inc Inc. and founder of the fashion brand Culture à Porte, with the support of the Italian Center of Culture of Addis Ababa and the EiABC (Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development)

decided to put an end to this problem

A great architect, like the inventors of ancient civilizations, develops the ability to solve problems thanks to the spirit of observation of the surrounding nature, which very often guards the answers to puzzles that seem to the most insuperable, able to be caught only by the most attentive and receptive. developed with Kickstarter and realized directly on the Ethiopian territory thanks to the support of the Italian Cooperation. Then it was a race for improvement. 

Ideal for Deserts or Drought impacted regions

"These Warka Water towers are being used in Namib desert in Africa to produce water and meet the needs of the local community"

https://discover.hubpages.com/technology/Handmade-structure-produces-25-gallons-of-water-every-day-from-atmospheric-water-vapours

Arturo Vittori, decided to find a solution to this problem. Eventually, after multiple levels of testing and re-designing, he conceptualised a tower which would use atmospheric water vapour to produce water.

He named it Warka Water tower. These Warka Water towers mimic the shape of beetles and are gigantic 30 feet tall towers which can collect

about 25 gallons of drinkable water every day by harvesting the water vapor in the atmosphere.

Warka water tower

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Warka Water Tower project set out to design an innovative, sustainable, and community-centric solution. The project was founded in 2012 by Italian architect and artist Arturo Vittori. Arturo Vittori is known for his innovative and sustainable designs, and the Warka Water project represents one of his notable initiatives to address water scarcity and improve water accessibility in remote and challenging areas. 

The term 'Warka' comes from the Warka Tree, a native and wild large fig tree found in Ethiopia. This tree holds significant symbolic importance as it plays an important role in the local ecosystem, and also serves as a gathering place. It also holds a spiritual significance, representing a place for prayer to God.

Warka Water Towers are innovative structures designed to harvest potable water from the atmosphere. The towers are inspired by nature's water collection methods, particularly the way certain plants capture dew and moisture. The outer framework of the towers resembles large, woven baskets and is constructed using locally sourced and biodegradable materials like bamboo to ensure minimal environmental impact. 

The primary function of WarkaWater Towers is to capture dew and moisture from the air as it passes through a mesh-like structure. The collected water then drips down to a storage chamber at the base of the tower, where it undergoes purification to make it suitable for drinking. The towers provide an off-grid and low-cost alternative to conventional water infrastructure, making them particularly relevant in regions where establishing traditional water supply systems is challenging.

The first Warka Tower pilot was constructed in 2015 in Dorze, a rural community in south Ethiopia. After this successful initiative, the “Warka Water Inc.”, a non-profit organisation, based in the USA was founded as a platform for other social actions.

Subsequently, the initiative expanded its reach with the construction of a second pilot project in Cameroon, specifically in the South Region, in 2019. The project selects locations with high levels of fog or humidity as these conditions are most suitable for the optimal functionality of Warka Towers.

The towers are designed to provide 40 to 80 litres of drinking water daily for the community, depending on weather conditions. They are built using local, natural and biodegradable materials like bamboo, wood, raffia palm leaves, dry straw, dry reeds etc and simple tools are used in the building of the towers so that they can be easily maintained by the local villagers without the need of scaffolding or electrical tools. The tower not only addresses the fundamental need for water but also serves as a communal space, where people can gather for education and public meetings under the shade of its canopy.

An interesting part of the project is that it involves and empowers the local population. The initiative does not merely provide a solution but ensures that the local villagers can own and operate the towers, a key factor in the project's success. Each version of the Warka Tower shares the same design philosophy but differs in shape, geometry, and materials adopted, making it a versatile and adaptable solution.

The Warka Water project is like a bright light of innovation challenging traditional water supply systems. Warka Towers show how we can design things to last and make communities stronger. They're not just practical; they also promise a healthier future for communities facing water scarcity. From 2012 until now, the project has not just grown; it's become a symbol of hope, sustainability, and a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has access to clean water

... is designed to harvest water from the atmosphere (rain, fog, dew) providing an alternative water source for rural populations that face challenges accessing drinkable water.

It is a passivewater source designed by to serve rural populations located in isolated regions where conventional pipelines and infrastructures will never reach and where water is not available from wells. WW should not be considered the solution to all water problems in developing countries but rather a tool that works well at providing clean water in specific areas. Those remote communities, often with limited financial means, struggle to find reliable supplies of clean water.

WW not only provides a fundamental resource for life, water, but it incorporate another important function, it is social place for the community where to organize reunions protected under the shade of its canopy. Workshop and educational activities for children will be organized to educate them about the importance of clean safe water and more in general about the renewable resources for a sustainable future.

The project name comes from the Warka tree that is an institution for the Ethiopian culture. Its shade is used for traditional public gatherings, and children reunite for the acquisition of knowledge. We are focused on creating a beautiful yet useful structure that can blend into the natural and cultural environment of the rural communities.

• https://warkawater.org/documentary/

• Contact Ushttps://warkawater.org/

• https://voisl.indevconsultancy.in/article/warka-towers-a-promise-of-better-cleaner-water-for-all

• World Design Organization.  e: office@wdo.org