TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Jeffrey Szur

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Jeffrey Szur, founder and COO of Altitude Water, has been on a nearly two-decade-long mission to tackle one of the world’s most pressing issues: water scarcity. In a world where over 4 billion people face water shortages, Jeffrey has brought forth a solution that extracts water from thin air. His company, headquartered in Lauderdale Lakes, FL, is redefining water access through its line of Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) and its innovative Disaster Relief Trailer, offering life-saving hydration in crisis situations worldwide.

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Jeffrey’s career is a testament to purpose-driven innovation. Since 2008, he has immersed himself in the AWG sector, pioneering technology that transforms humidity into pure, potable water. In 2009, he created the first ozone purification machine in Trinidad—a breakthrough he would later bring stateside, laying the foundation for Altitude Water. Each machine, equipped with Jeffrey’s patented ozone purification system, ensures every drop of water remains as pure as it is accessible.

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Altitude Water’s technology is versatile, providing solutions for households, commercial spaces, military-grade applications, and NGOs operating in remote areas. Its Disaster Relief Trailer has proven indispensable in disaster zones, delivering clean water to hurricane-stricken regions like Maui and Hurricane Helene's impact zones. Jeffrey’s efforts also extend to Africa, where he is collaborating with nonprofits to establish Water Hubs in villages, such as the Maka project in Cameroon. Supported by major donors like the L’Oreal Women’s Sustainability Fund, these hubs are designed not only to provide water, but also to empower communities by teaching them to manage their resources sustainably.

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Jeffrey granted us an exclusive interview where he shares memorable stories that highlight the life-changing impact of clean, accessible water.

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Jeffrey, what inspired you to create Altitude Water?

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Seventeen years ago, after I sold my restaurants and my father sold his oil interests, we started asking ourselves, ‘What’s next?’ Clean water stood out as an urgent, universal need. Growing up, water was something we never questioned—we drank straight from the garden hose. But then we started seeing the consequences of the old belief that 'dilution is the solution to pollution' as harmful chemicals were increasingly dumped into our water sources. Today, 99% of our water comes from groundwater, which often contains PFAS chemicals, toxins, and pharmaceuticals. Even with filtration, some contaminants remain. Then came bottled water, which seemed like a solution until we realized plastic breaks down over time and introduces other health and environmental risks.

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We thought, ‘Let’s go back to nature and start with the purest source of water—the air.’ In 2007, we discovered Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) and were fascinated by their technology, using reverse osmosis and UV light. But after a few years of distributing them, we noticed quality control issues in the machines and biofilm in the machines. That’s when we decided to improve the design ourselves, ultimately discovering a patent for ozone-based purification.

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After years of perfecting the technology and selling globally, in 2018, we launched Altitude Water and our American-made AWG product line. Using ozone, a natural purifier even more effective than chlorine, we’ve developed a way to keep water exceptionally pure and accessible. Our philosophy is to go 'back to nature,' where things are done right. By mirroring nature’s approach, we’ve created a sustainable solution to access clean, safe drinking water directly from the air.

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What makes Altitude Water unique?

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Altitude Water stands out for its commitment to water purity, innovative process, and versatile adaptability. Our machines extract moisture directly from the atmosphere using a condensation process that transforms pure water vapor into liquid, effectively bypassing contaminants often found in groundwater. This process mirrors the natural water cycle, where water is purified through evaporation, resulting in exceptionally clean, oxygen-rich, great-tasting water.

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Our Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) are designed to operate on various power sources, including electricity, generators, and renewable energy, making them adaptable to any location—from homes to remote villages. They are particularly ideal for disaster relief and military applications, providing a dependable water supply without the cost or logistics of bottled water transportation. We offer a range of models tailored to meet different needs, from individual homes and agricultural use to large-scale community support, with outputs ranging from 7 to 380 gallons daily. For instance, our T12 model, which produces 7-15 gallons per day, is perfect for families, offering peace of mind with a safe, reliable drinking water source, even in emergencies, natural disasters, or during boil orders.

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Additionally, our Mobile Disaster Relief Trailers produce 200-350 gallons of clean water per day, powered by solar energy. Equipped with a 60 kW battery, StarLink, and cellular service, these trailers provide essential services and connectivity during crises, delivering everything needed to support affected communities. We now offer ozone purification and add minerals to water treated with RO filtration for large scale disaster applications or someone’s boat or RV.

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You’ve received glowing feedback from people about your AWGs, including Amy Grant. Can you share a special story that’s stayed with you?

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I’ve had many memorable experiences with our AWGs, but one story in particular stands out. It involves Amy Grant and her family’s farm in Franklin, TN. She initially purchased our T12 model to address sulfur issues in their water. Later, she donated the farm to a nonprofit that runs summer camps for underserved kids. Just a month before camp was set to begin, Amy realized they’d need about a gallon of water per day for 300-400 kids, far beyond the T12’s 7-12 gallon daily output. As luck would have it, one of our larger units became unexpectedly available, and we managed to get it to her just in time. She now has a Water Hub with our AWGs and our purification box taking the sulfur out of her well water.

 

 

 

Jeffrey Szur
Founder and COO
Altitude Water

Website: https://altdwater.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-szur-99b514b/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.szur/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altdwater/