Vital Lyfe, a startup launched in 2024, is working on a portable desalination device that can quickly turn almost any nearby natural water source, including seawater, into safe drinking water. Called Access, the $749 machine is roughly the size of a large toolbox, and it is designed for anyone needing reliable off-grid water, from campers and sailors to communities without steady access to clean drinking water. In such cases, a few extra cases of bottled water in the pantry won’t last very long.
Former SpaceX engineers are offering a backup plan when a disaster knocks out a city’s water supply.
Access can process up to 6 gallons (around 22.7 liters) of seawater per hour, or up to 12 gallons (around 45.4 litres) of fresh water per hour. Using the device is straightforward. A user drops a hose into a water source and pushes a button. Inside, a battery-powered, high-pressure pump forces the water through a reverse osmosis membrane, filtering out salt and other impurities.
“We always say that we design the manufacturing line before the product,” Criss added. They also built the product specifically for mass production.
At the same time, the company is partnering with nonprofits to get the units into regions facing severe water shortages, expecting the $749 price tag to drop further as production scales up. Right now, Vital Lyfe is targeting recreational users, campers and emergency preppers.