“AQUAVAULT” Turning HVAC Condensate into a Valuable Water Resource

Student Project Spotlight: “AQUAVAULT” Turning HVAC Condensate into a Valuable Water Resource

A Biomedical students at Ajman University has developed a project transforming an overlooked byproduct of air conditioning into a valuable water resource for buildings. Titled “AQUAVAULT,” the project is described as a smart building-scale system that captures, monitors, filters, and reuses HVAC condensate for non-potable applications. At its core is a fully automated system that connects to existing HVAC drainage infrastructure, turning a routine waste stream into a sustainable water supply for landscape irrigation and other non-potable uses.

The project, developed for the WiE Women Innovator Challenge 2026, reflects a growing trend in sustainable engineering: using smart technology to make water conservation more accessible, measurable, and impactful. By capturing condensate that would otherwise be discharged to drainage, “AQUAVAULT” helps buildings reduce their reliance on desalinated water while providing immediate, quantifiable water savings. For a G+20 building in Dubai, the system can recover an estimated 2,600 liters per day equivalent to 949,000 liters per year and at scale, 100 buildings could recover 94.9 million liters annually.

Supporting SDG 13: Climate Action

This project directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 13 by reducing the energy and carbon emissions associated with water desalination and supply. By turning HVAC condensate into a reusable resource, “AQUAVAULT” helps lower the demand for energy-intensive desalinated water, a key component of climate mitigation in the UAE. It also aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The project demonstrates how student innovation can contribute to the UAE’s broader sustainability goals by encouraging water efficiency and responsible resource management in the built environment.

Keywords: AQUAVAULT, HVAC condensate, water recovery, water conservation, SDG 13, Climate Action, sustainable buildings, desalination, energy efficiency, circular economy, student innovation, WiE Women Innovator Challenge

To view the project, click here.