The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

An Abaco-based atmospheric water provider has changed its name in a bid to better differentiate itself from rivals amid strong sales growth.

Neil Aberle, principal of Celestial Waters, told Tribune Business the rebrand from Air2O Bahamas was much-needed as the latter name was viewed as too difficult for customers to remember and identify with.

“We make water from the air. It’s a process called atmospheric water generation and it takes the humidity right out of the air, just like a big dehumidifier. And the water that that we make through this process is absolutely from some of the cleanest air in the world. It is just pure, clean water. It’s just amazing,” he said.

Mr Aberle added that sales on Abaco are growing amid the continued post-Hurricane Dorian rebuild. “Hope Town and Elbow Cay are particularly seeing a strong rebound,” he said.

“There is a lot of new construction. New homes are popping up everywhere, and a renewed interest in the island is definitely coming back. Marsh Harbour, things are looking pretty good. Green Turtle Cay and Guana Cay are coming back nicely. Sales are great. We have an establishment on Elbow Cay and we have seen our sales increase every year.”

Mr Aberle and his wife, Rachael, as Celestial Waters’ founders have been involved in atmospheric water generation since 2020, when the idea of using the technology was conceived in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian as a direct response to combat climate change. It was designed to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles, as the company’s products are only distributed in reusable bottles and containers.

Its current operation is based in Elbow Cay, where it primarily caters to the local, second homeowner and tourist markets on the island. Celestial Waters has established a water depot and offers delivery service throughout the island, eliminating the need for customers to transport heavy water bottles to their homes or businesses.

The company offers both 100 percent pure Celestial Water and Alkaline Celestial Water, with added minerals and electrolytes for even greater health benefits.

Mr Aberle said: “Celestial Waters is an ideal solution for The Bahamas as it can be produced wherever it is needed from a practically unlimited resource; the air that is all around us. This not only eradicates the expensive transportation of water bottles and its associated high carbon footprint, but also eliminates waste plastic and the costs related to its disposal.”

The company sold more than 35,000 gallons of water last year, which was branded a “significant achievement” for a small water manufacturer on Abaco that only sells drinking water. “We are super excited about this rebranding as we plan to take Celestial Waters around to the other islands and expand our business,” Mr Aberle said.

“We are targeting January 2024 for franchising throughout The Bahamas where we put a Celestial Waters facility right on their premises.