US – Richard’s Rainwater has opened the world’s largest portable rainwater collection site in Louisiana, in partnership with Faubourg Brewing Co and its parent company, Made By The Water.
According to the company, Louisiana’s “first-ever” rain capture facility for drinking water is expected to collect more than 2 million gallons of water yearly.
Water reuse has been an important frontier amid climate change and the need to preserve water resources, except for human consumption.
Richard’s Rainwater is the nation’s first FDA-approved rainwater collection company, capturing newly fallen rain and packaging it into recyclable aluminum cans or glass bottles.
The company said the water is collected before reaching the ground, allowing the manufacturer to dispense with the use of fluorine or chlorine, among other compounds.
Richard’s Rainwater is now sold at supermarket chains such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Central Market. On the company’s website, a package of 24 rainwater bottles of 354 milliliters each costs about US$35.
Sales for the water brand, which have soared from about $100,000 in 2017 when O’Neil and other investors purchased the brand, are forecast to top $10 million in 2023.
There is still an ongoing demand for products like Richard’s Rainwater as consumers are concerned about the origin of the food and drink, they consume as well as a new search for sources of water after water scarcity keeps on threatening global food security and forces agri-food systems.
According to Research and Markets calculations, the rainwater harvesting market is expected to advance at a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% to reach US$1.8 billion in 2027 from US$1.4 billion in 2021.
The new systems come in addition to two other plants, both in the US. Richard’s Rainwater collected roughly 4 million gallons of rainwater from the two locations in 2022, before purifying and packaging the liquid in bottles and cans.
CEO Taylor O’Neil said: “Collecting rainwater in New Orleans made sense as it’s one of the top three rainiest cities in the US”.
“Faubourg Brewing Co has a rich history of creating quality products and supporting the local community. We are excited to partner with their leadership team to create jobs, support disaster relief, and make their facility the most water-conscious brewery in the country.”
Mr. O’Neil added that there’s “absolutely an opportunity” to think about expanding into other products and forming partnerships with companies that use water as an ingredient.
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