UAE — July 2025 — In a bold move that combines innovation with sustainability, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel has implemented a revolutionary solution to the global water and plastic waste crisis: it produces drinking water directly from air and serves it to its guests — for free.
This initiative positions the hotel as a pioneer in sustainable hospitality, setting a new industry benchmark by eliminating single-use plastic bottles entirely and leveraging UAE’s natural humidity to generate clean, mineral-rich water using advanced atmospheric technology.
The Concept: Harvesting Drinking Water From Humid Air
Unlike traditional water sources — such as municipal supplies, desalinated seawater, or underground reservoirs — the hotel’s new system extracts moisture directly from the atmosphere. The resulting water is filtered, purified, enriched with minerals, and bottled in reusable glass containers, ready to be served to guests daily.
The technology, known as an air-to-water generation system, taps into the UAE’s naturally humid climate. It mimics the process of natural condensation, creating pure, potable water with minimal environmental impact.
“This water doesn’t come from the sea, the ground, or any utility line,” said Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager at Bahi Ajman Palace. “It comes straight from the air. We’re proud to be one of the first hotels in the UAE to serve atmospheric water daily to our guests.”
How the System Works: A Breakdown of the Technology
The air-to-water system works by drawing in humid air from the surrounding environment. The air is rapidly cooled, causing water vapor to condense into droplets — much like moisture on the outside of a cold glass.
Once formed, the droplets pass through a series of high-efficiency filters, including:
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Carbon filtration to remove airborne particles and odors
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Reverse osmosis to remove heavy metals and chemicals
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UV sterilization to kill bacteria, viruses, and pathogens
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Mineral enrichment to add essential minerals like calcium and magnesium for taste and health benefits
The final product is clean, mineral-balanced water that is not only safe to drink but refreshingly crisp. The water is then bottled into sterilized, reusable glass bottles, each steam-cleaned at 85°C and sealed with expiry dates that remain valid for up to three months.
The hotel monitors the system in partnership with the equipment provider, ensuring that daily maintenance, water quality checks, and hygiene protocols meet both internal and UAE health authority regulations.
Environmental Impact: Eliminating Plastic Bottles
Before switching to the air-to-water model, the hotel consumed over 700 plastic water bottles per day. That equates to more than 21,000 bottles every month — all of which previously added to the region’s growing landfill waste problem.
Since January 2025, the Bahi Ajman Palace has completely eliminated plastic bottles from its premises.
“Thousands of bottles were going to the trash every month. That’s just not good for the environment,” said Hamdani. “Now, we’ve taken a major step toward sustainable, responsible hospitality.”
Guests receive their water in reusable glass bottles, which are collected after use, cleaned, and refilled. This circular approach not only minimizes waste but also reduces the hotel’s carbon footprint associated with packaging, transportation, and plastic disposal.
Daily Output and Guest Usage
The hotel’s air-to-water system currently produces 1,000 liters of drinking water per day. On regular days, about 700 liters is sufficient to meet guest demand. During banquets or high-occupancy events, production scales up to meet full capacity.
By monitoring guest patterns and weather conditions, the hotel ensures that production remains optimized and energy-efficient.
Guest Reactions: Curiosity and Appreciation
One of the most positive surprises for the hotel team has been the enthusiastic guest response. Visitors are often intrigued by the technology, ask how it works, and engage with staff to learn more.
“People are surprised when they hear the water came from air,” Hamdani shared. “They ask questions, they’re curious, and that’s great. It opens up conversations about sustainability.”
Guests frequently praise the clean taste, cool temperature, and fresh feel of the water — many remarking that it’s better than traditional bottled water.
Financial and Operational Benefits
Beyond its environmental advantages, the system also makes business sense. The hotel expects to recover the cost of installation in less than two years, thanks to:
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Zero recurring costs of bottled water purchases
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Elimination of storage and delivery logistics
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Lower waste management and recycling expenses
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Long-term savings on packaging and supply chain operations
“This is not just eco-friendly, it’s economically sustainable,” said Hamdani. “We’ve reduced our operational costs while increasing our value to conscious travelers.”
Leadership in Sustainable Hospitality
Hamdani, a long-time advocate for eco-conscious tourism, believes this move is just the beginning.
“My passion is sustainability. But more than that, it’s a responsibility,” he said. “Hotels must play a role in protecting the environment, and this is a clear, measurable way to contribute.”
The success of the initiative reinforces the idea that sustainability and luxury can coexist, and that green innovation doesn’t require compromising on guest comfort or quality.
Paving the Way for Industry-Wide Change
The UAE has long promoted innovation in clean technology and sustainability, including through nationwide campaigns such as the Year of Sustainability and UAE Net Zero 2050. Bahi Ajman Palace’s initiative aligns perfectly with these goals and sets a precedent for other hospitality providers.
The hotel’s efforts demonstrate that even in a region reliant on desalination and imported water, it is possible to leverage atmospheric resources to meet everyday needs — all while enhancing guest experience.
“We live in a place where humidity is available in the air for most of the year,” Hamdani explained. “Why not use that to create clean drinking water and reduce our impact?”
Looking Forward: Scaling the Vision
As interest grows in the technology, the hotel is already in discussions with other properties and tourism partners to promote broader adoption. There is also the potential for expansion into residential buildings, offices, and schools.
“If every building used a system like this, the reduction in plastic alone would be enormous,” said Hamdani. “We’re proud to be leading by example.”
Conclusion
In an era where both clean water access and plastic pollution are pressing global issues, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s decision to generate drinking water from air is as visionary as it is practical.
By eliminating plastic bottles, reducing logistical waste, and delivering high-quality, certified drinking water daily — all through an atmospheric water generator — the hotel is reshaping what sustainable luxury looks like in the Middle East.
From curious guests to eco-conscious travelers, this initiative has sparked engagement, set a new industry standard, and proved that green technology can be a win-win for both the environment and business.
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