GVS Upper School students were excited to welcome Moses West, a trailblazer in atmospheric water generation technology. This incredible opportunity arose from 8th Grader Oliver I., who featured West during his presentation for Black History Month last year. West graciously accepted the invitation to share his groundbreaking work with our students.
Born in Georgia and raised in Germany, West’s life has been a journey shaped by a unique blend of experiences. Growing up in a military family, he moved frequently until they finally settled in Southern Texas. Following in his father's footsteps, West became an esteemed member of the U.S. Army, serving with honor in various prestigious units, including the 75th Ranger Regiment. His time on the battlefield opened his eyes to the critical need for fresh water, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges soldiers faced in accessing clean drinking water. Often, they relied on iodine drops to purify water from creeks and rivers—a necessity born from the harsh realities of military life.
After retiring from the army, West traveled to Australia and Europe, where he became increasingly aware of the global water crisis exacerbated by climate change. It was during his time that West became captivated by a small machine owned by a neighbor that produced water from the air. This moment sparked an idea that would change his life and the lives of countless others. Encouraged by a friend who saw the potential in his vision, West realized he could create a larger-scale version of the water-generating machine. This epiphany led him to develop atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology, which extracts moisture from the atmosphere and converts it into clean water.
West, President of Atmospheric Water Generator Contracting LLC, uses his Atmospheric Water Generators, which combine filtration, sterilization, and reverse osmosis to transform humidity into clean drinking water. This innovation has the potential to alleviate water scarcity in communities worldwide, providing access to safe water without chemicals.
West spoke to students about his AWG machines and noted that he has shipped some to areas in need, including disaster-stricken regions like Puerto Rico, providing hope and essential resources to communities in crisis. He also founded the Moses West Foundation to support these efforts and raise funds for his technology.
As he concluded his presentation, West imparted a crucial message to students: “Always be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.” His words resonated deeply, inspiring the audience to take action and be hopeful for the future.