This simple little nozzle uses 98% less water than a normal tap

It is called the Altered: Nozzle and could revolutionize water conservation

It is called the Altered: Nozzle and could revolutionize water conservation

The Stockholm-based start-up Alteredis about to launch a nozzle that can be adjusted into every existing tap and save up to 98% of the water which would be used without it. This is because it creates a mist of water, which increases its surface area drastically, and it is still functional in washing hands, greens, doing dishes, brushing teeth etc.

Water stress is a global issue affecting over 1 billion people today, and an estimated 3 billion in 2020. However, approximately 32 gallons (120L) per household per day are running through our taps and much of it is wasted, meaning that every day 40 million gallons (150 million liters) are running through the taps in Los Angeles, 50 million gallons (190 million liters) in Rio de Janeiro, 220 million gallons (830 million liters) in Tokyo and 240 million gallons (900 million liters) in Shanghai.

Taking that into account, in August 2014, the creators came up with the idea to atomize water in faucets, as a way to help with the water conservation globally. The nozzle they created breaks water into millions of tiny droplets, composing a mist which increases the water’s surface area.

In early September, they raised a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter which has already surpassed its goal! After the campaign ends successfully, it will be possible for the backers to choose the finish and size that they prefer (between chrome, white, blue, brass and gold). The nozzle’s mass production will start in November and the first shipments will take place in December.

Water conservation in numbers

The user of the Altered:Nozzle can easily flip it to choose between two flows: the Mist Mode and the Saver Mode for times when more water is necessary. The Mist Mode features a super-conservative flow of 0.18 L/min (0.05gal/min), which becomes 1.8 L/min (0.32 gal/min) on the Saver Mode. Even so, it still saves 75% of the water that comes out of the tap, as a standard one usually has a flow of 12 L/min (2.5 gal/min)!