My journey into the world of water began when I first realized that water was becoming scarce. In 2010, my parents started an olive oil farm near Los Angeles, planting 14 acres of young olive trees. However, before their first harvest, they received a letter from the State of California warning them about potential water restrictions due to drought. This was a wake-up call that made me aware of the importance of water conservation.
One morning, while walking my dog, I noticed the dew on the grass and thought about harnessing this natural process to harvest water. I started experimenting with prototypes to capture water vapor from the air and convert it into drinking-quality water. Despite facing challenges such as large, heavy, and expensive designs with low water production output, I was determined to find a solution. This led me to establish my first company, DewGood, to pioneer a new source of drinking water for humanity.
As I delved deeper into the world of water, I realized that the issue extended beyond water shortages to include water quality. Clean, safe tap water, which we often take for granted, was not a reality for everyone. A visit to Flint, Michigan, where I met a mother who had lost her sons to lead poisoning from the city’s water system, shocked me to the core. This experience motivated me to focus on providing safe water for home consumption.
Despite initial struggles with high production costs, a fortuitous meeting with my partner Tyler Breton in 2019 led to the evolution of DewGood into a new company called Spout Water. We aimed to make water-making appliances like Tesla cars – innovative, sleek, and desirable. Our mission was to offer high-quality water free from contaminants while promoting sustainable practices and reducing plastic bottle waste.
Listening to customers helped us shape our product, leading to the development of the Spout Monolith, a device that can produce 2.5 gallons of fresh water daily from the air in customers’ homes. The positive reception to our product inspired us to refine its functionality and design, collaborating with Fred Bould, who designed the Nest Thermostat, to create an elegant and functional appliance.
Meanwhile, the global water crisis continued to worsen, with water reservoirs depleting and plastic bottle waste accumulating. Concerned about the impact of microplastics on water quality, I examined a plastic water bottle under a microscope and discovered clumps of microplastics caused by production processes. This motivated us to ensure the purity of Spout Water through third-party testing by Hydronomy.
Spout Water aims to provide a reliable alternative to bottled and tap water, offering high-quality, sustainable water solutions for households. Our commitment to ending the tyranny of plastic bottles drives us to innovate and deliver safe, clean water to consumers while promoting environmental stewardship. High-density polyethylene microplastics have been found to carry toxic chemicals and pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans. These tiny plastic particles can range in size from 10 to 5000 micrometers, comparable to the size of a red blood cell up to a small pebble. Research has shown that exposure to these microplastics can lead to hormonal disruptions and increased cancer risks, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing this environmental issue.
To address this concern, SimpleLab conducted an analysis of Spout water for microplastics across various size categories. The results were clear and conclusive: no microplastics or PFAS were detected in Spout water, indicating that the advanced filtration processes effectively eliminate even the smallest plastic particles. This ensures that customers receive the highest quality water free from harmful contaminants.
In contrast, a recent study by Orb Media found that a high percentage of tap water samples globally, including in the United States, contain microplastic fibers. The contamination rate in the US was reported to be as high as 94%. By comparison, Spout water outperformed 93% of samples from American water systems, demonstrating its superior quality and purity.
By providing water that is free from harmful microplastics and chemicals, Spout aims to offer a healthier alternative to traditional tap water. The Spout Monolith serves as a secure and pure source of water that can be easily accessed in homes, businesses, or farms. This innovative solution ensures that individuals have access to safe and delicious water without the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants.
Reuben Vollmer, the CEO and co-founder of Spout Water, is committed to providing a sustainable and reliable water source for all. Born and raised in California, Vollmer’s passion for clean water drives the mission of Spout to deliver the purest and safest water possible. To learn more about Spout Water and reserve your own machine, visit spoutwater.com and use the discount code MITCH911 to save $100.
