A Torrance-based company, Vital Lyfe, is developing accessible water desalination technology to address long-term water sustainability challenges. The initiative comes at a crucial time when many areas are beginning to emphasize the importance of reliable water supplies in light of climate change.
California Water Replenishment District has prioritized water resiliency, particularly in the South Bay region, where Torrance sits atop the largest brackish groundwater plume in the Los Angeles County Water Basin, spanning 14 miles. Brackish groundwater, which is unsuitable for drinking due to its high salt content, requires desalination. Vital Lyfe aims to simplify this process, which is often complex and costly.
Currently, Torrance sources a significant portion of its water from the Metropolitan Water District, with approximately 50% of southern Los Angeles County’s water imported from distant sources like the Colorado River and the Sacramento Delta. This reliance raises concerns about future accessibility, especially if a major earthquake disrupts transport systems, as underscored by WRD General Manager Stephan Tucker.
Founded by former SpaceX employees Jonathan Criss and Andrew Harner, Vital Lyfe seeks to democratize access to clean water. “We believe that if we can take traditional centralized systems to decentralize them and give them to individuals, you can make that meaningful impact directly in their life,” Criss explained.
The company’s flagship product, Access, is a portable desalination device that weighs 25 pounds. Designed to purify both seawater and fresh water, Access is expected to retail for $749, significantly more affordable than existing products that can cost thousands. The intended beneficiaries include travelers and individuals in disaster-stricken areas.
Vital Lyfe’s mission emphasizes making a “meaningful impact for people who do not have a reliable source of clean drinking water,” according to Criss. The company has established partnerships with the U.S. Army and Navy to test the Access device’s capabilities. The Department of Defense has expressed a need for flexible desalination solutions for operations in remote areas, where conventional systems are often too bulky or difficult to deploy.
Looking ahead, Criss noted plans to enhance Access technology to increase the volume of water it can treat while maintaining affordability and ease of use for local governments and communities. As the company continues to innovate in the water desalination space, their work could play a pivotal role in meeting future water demands.
