VINCI Highways Introduces Sustainable Drinking Water Solution Along Athens-Patras Highway

VINCI Highways Introduces Sustainable Drinking Water Solution Along Athens-Patras Highway

(IN BRIEF) VINCI Highways, in partnership with its subsidiary Olympia Odos, is expanding its innovative “Water from the Air” service along the Athens-Patras highway. The service provides travelers with free, fresh, and high-quality drinking water produced from air ambient humidity. Powered by solar energy, the system converts water vapor in the air into drinkable water through a compressor and mineral enrichment process. Following a successful pilot launch in Kakia Skala, the service will now be available in 10 additional parking areas along the highway. This eco-friendly initiative reduces plastic waste, ensures water quality compliance, and operates independently of external water and energy sources. VINCI Highways aims to enhance the travel experience while prioritizing environmental protection and sustainability.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 4-Jul-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — VINCI Highways, concessionaire of the Athens-Patras highway with its subsidiary Olympia Odos, deploys its innovative «Water from the air» service in 10 more areas along the highway. “Water from the Air” upgrades the travel experience thanks to the free provision of free, fresh and high-quality drinking water produced by the air ambient humidity.

The system operates exclusively with solar power and consists of a bilge which through a compressor transforms the water vapor in the air into water. Then the water is enriched with minerals and becomes suitable for drinking. The system cools water during the hot summer months. Travelers only need to bring their water bottles.

Launched in 2021 on a pilot basis at the parking and sanitary facility in the area of Kakia Skala, “Water from the air” received a very positive response from the travelers.

Prize-winner in 2021 at the VINCI Environment Awards – the VINCI Group event during which more than 2,500 teams shared their most innovative, replicable and impactful environmental initiatives – Water from the Air will now be extended to another 10 parking areas along the highway. Travelers can find the 11 locations on the Interactive Map at olympiaodos.gr or on Olympia Odos mobile app, which is available free of charge for ios and android.

The only service of this type on a highway in Greece Water from the Air has achieved the following important results:

• Daily production of up to 10 lt of fresh drinking water/ system;
• High quality water observing the strict guidelines of the international organizations EPA and FDA and the tests of the Greek State General Laboratory;
• Direct monitoring of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the produced water;
• Reduction of plastic use, as travelers no longer need to buy bottled water to quench their thirst since they use their own containers;
• Zero environmental footprint with full energy independence for the production and chilling of water, as no connection to any network for water supply or energy grid is required.

VINCI Highways upgrades travel experience while protecting the environment, using modern and innovative technologies. People and the environment are at the core of the strategy of VINCI Highways, of which Olympia Odos is a member, where providing high quality services alongside investment to protect the environment is a firm commitment.

Panayiotis Papanikolas, CEO of Olympia Odos and VINCI Highways director in Greece, declared: “Our “water from the air” initiative fuels VINCI Highways’ commitment to making good use of natural resources, conveying an environmental message, and at the same time providing a vital product, such as water, free of charge to travelers. Our aim is to support a business model that takes into account our customers but also the environment and the society as a whole.”

Media Contact:

Email: communication@vinci-concessions.com
Tel: 01 57 98 61 35

SOURCE: VINCI