In a bold move that could redefine the water sector, OceanWell and the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) have launched a pioneering pilot project to test a fresh water harvesting system in a reservoir. This initiative, unveiled on March 21, 2025, at the Las Virgenes Reservoir in Westlake Village, California, marks a significant step in proving the efficacy of OceanWell’s proprietary submerged water filtration technology. The ultimate goal? To provide a stable, scalable, and climate-resilient source of water for regions grappling with severe water shortages.
OceanWell’s technology is nothing short of revolutionary. The company is developing deep-sea water farms that leverage natural hydrostatic pressure at depths exceeding 400 meters to drive a high-pressure water purification method called reverse osmosis. Each purification pod is designed to harvest up to one million gallons of fresh water daily from the ocean, with a modular design that allows for scalable projects based on demand. This technology produces ultra-clean water by filtering out salts, bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and even PFAS, all while being engineered for durability in harsh deep-sea environments.
But what sets OceanWell apart from traditional industrial desalination methods? For starters, it reduces energy consumption by up to 40 percent, a significant reduction that could make a substantial difference in the fight against climate change. Moreover, OceanWell’s technology protects marine life and eliminates toxic brine, addressing two major criticisms of conventional desalination processes.
The pilot project in the reservoir is a crucial phase in OceanWell’s journey. Testing the technology in a highly bio-active environment demonstrates the efficiency of the system’s LifeSafe™ intake, which is more challenging than in the deep sea. This phased approach allows for fine-tuning each stage of the system, paving the way for reliable, scalable deployment in the ocean.
The next phase of testing, already approved by the California Coastal Commission, will take place in the ocean. This real-world deployment will further validate OceanWell’s technology and bring it closer to commercial readiness, signaling a major breakthrough for the water industry.
“The access to abundant clean water is critical to the vitality of our communities,” said Robert Bergstrom, CEO of OceanWell. “We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to partner with Las Virgenes to take the first step in building climate-resilient water supplies in the U.S. and abroad.”
David Pedersen, General Manager of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Through our partnership with OceanWell, we’re incredibly excited to challenge the conventional thinking that ocean desalination and environmental stewardship cannot go hand-in-hand.”
This milestone comes on the heels of OceanWell’s entry into XPRIZE’s $119 million water scarcity competition and its $11 million Series A funding round, with participation from Kubota Corporation. The company is supported by a working group of 25 municipal water agencies in California and aims to build 15 water farms across the globe in the next decade.
The implications of this news are profound. If successful, OceanWell’s technology could provide a blueprint for sustainable water harvesting, challenging the norms of energy-intensive and environmentally damaging desalination methods. It could also spark a debate on the role of deep-sea water farms in addressing global water scarcity, particularly in regions hard-hit by drought and climate change.
Moreover, the partnership between OceanWell and LVMWD could set a precedent for collaboration between technology companies and municipal water agencies, fostering innovation and driving progress in the water sector. As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, such partnerships will be crucial in developing sustainable and resilient water solutions.
The water sector is on the cusp of a significant shift. OceanWell’s pilot project is not just a test of technology; it’s a test of our ability to innovate, adapt, and challenge the status quo. The results could shape the future of water harvesting, setting a new standard for sustainability and environmental stewardship. The world is watching, and the stakes are high. But if OceanWell’s technology delivers on its promises, the future of water harvesting could be cleaner, greener, and more sustainable than ever before.
