What is the most important thing we can be talking about?
R. Buckminster Fuller
In Part 1 of this Water Series, I will present an overview of water as a vital resource on Earth and its impact on the geopolitical stage of the 21st century and to provide context for improvements and towards re-establishing a relationship with Water. In Part 2, I will present a review of the Kitchen Vortex Water Revitalizer and my experience with it after 1 month. Enjoy!
Part 1 – Water 101
Without Water, there would be no Life. Water is a key catalyst for Earth processes and for the biosphere to exist, the same way our blood is essential for the body to live.
To begin, here’s a quick overview of water on Earth. According to the US Gov agency managing national water resources aka, US Bureau of Reclamation (Water Facts, 2019):
- Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface [As Above So Below fact: our bodies are likewise made up of water in roughly the same proportions]
- 97% of the water is in the Ocean (i.e., salt-water)
- Remaining 3% is fresh water
- Of that, 2.5% is unavailable: locked up in glaciers/ice-caps & in the atmosphere
- 0.5% of the Earth’s water is available fresh water [this is what we drink & use for agriculture globally!]
- According to recent UN estimates, 72% of all freshwater is used on agriculture, 16% for municipalities/households, 12% by industry.
- 3.2 billion people live in agricultural areas with high to very high water shortages.
- Almost half the global population are already living in potential water-scarce areas at least one month per year and this could increase to some 4.8–5.7 billion in 2050. About 73% of the affected people live in Asia (69% by 2050) [emphasis mine]
- 2/3 of the world’s population [+4 Bn] experience water scarcity at least one month per year
- 700 million more people could be displaced by water scarcity by 2030
There are clear patterns from these statistics which seem to indicate: A) 2/3 of the global population already experiences water scarcity, B) as the world population continues to grow, environmental destructions worsens, and more people share this finite resource, water scarcity will continue to increase, C) without viable and scalable solutions to counteract this trend, we are headed towards a breaking point for the survival of our species.
The issue of water access has tangible geopolitical consequences to world populations. Take this article from Newsweek prophesizing wars will be fought over water in the 21st century. Recently, the end of the film The Big Short (2015) sent a shiver down my spine. The main character depicted in the film, Michael Burry, is a Wall St hedge-fund investor who had correctly predicted (and even betted against) the subprime loans crash which led to the financial crisis of 2008. The ominous statement indicates Burry is now focusing all of his investments into one commodity: water. While I despise the way financial brokers commodify every living thing as mere objects, there is a general consensus about the gravity of the situation we’re facing, all roads leading to water.
But is this surprising? My whole scholarly life we had been taught water was an inorganic substance (H2O) rather than a living entity, ignoring the nuances of this primordial Life molecule. Only later through my self-study did I get the privilege to explore/learn many new perspectives about water, including the works of Dr. Gerald Pollack’s on the 4th Phase Water [aka EZ water: a newly discovered state between the solid and liquid phase of water, and its ability to store energy], and Prof. Luc Montagnier’s work on Water Memory and the controversial claim of water’s ability to store & exchange [DNA] information.
However, by far the most fascinating and alchemic explorations came from Viktor Schauberger (1885-1958), the Austrian forester known as the Water Wizard. One of Schauberger’s many discoveries was the importance of water for maintaining healthy ecosystems, and how natural rivers revitalised themselves by contracting and expanding rhythmically in sinusoidal, spiral shapes (like a snake spinning). Inspired by these insights, VS developed a series of inventions biomimicking the mineralised water found in pristine forest streams. This led to many curious inventions which I talk about in my previous articles.
More than ever today, I am convinced that our ability to learn from & engineer processes to develop a closer relationship with Water will be linked directly to our ability to grow, and most crucially, to survive on this planet.
Part 2 – Vortex Water Revitalizer Review
Introduction
I’m excited for today’s review of the Kitchen Vortex Water Revitalizer to bring the magic of vortexed water with this new faucet installed on the tap. The result is soft, fresh water that seems improved in quality. But how much difference does it make, and was it worth spending $400 USD [340€]? Let me share with you my experience after using it for over a month. Let’s dive into it!
Please note this is not a paid endorsement. Instead, I purchased the unit at my own expense and reviewed it out of genuine enthusiasm for this product. Enjoy and visit the links at the end for more information!
Manufactured by World Living Water Systems (known also as Alive Water) and based in North Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, this tool inspired by the works of VS lets water flow through a double-helix motion the way it naturally behaves in streams. The Vortex Revitalizers come in two main series: Whole House Models and the Kitchen/Shower Portable Models. The former is suited for transforming an entire house’s water supply [i.e. Kitchen, shower, garden] whereas the Kitchen/Shower series is better suited for people living in apartments, rentals or travelers. Since I live in an apartment and cooking is my hobby, I figured I’d prioritize healthy food and drinking and went for the Kitchen model.
The price tag for the latter was 242€/$280USD without taxes [for Kitchen and Shower models] and ranges between 360€/415USD – to 1350€/1560USD for the Whole House Models [WHM] depending on the configuration chosen. One advantage of the WHM besides treating the whole home water supply is that it features a wavy-shape pipe option and are made of copper making them closer to Schauberger’s original designs. The Kitchen model instead uses stainless steel [SS316] which looks great, but having the option to use copper would’ve been welcome. All in all including international shipping fees to the Netherlands and local customs tax, this purchase cost me around 350€/$400USD.
Very minimalistic: Vortex Revitalizer & Adapter to fit my faucet. Big thanks to their customer support team for including a free adapter upon contacting them! 😉 
The Ball mechanism allows the faucet to move in a roughly 360º radius giving better leverage when washing dishes in the sink. Very cool, the whole piece feels solid and of good quality. 
Nota bene: the direction to unscrew the aerator seems reversed [clockwise to loosen]. However, if one looks at it from the bottom-up, it makes more sense. 
Inside-look of a Vortex Water Revitalizer pipe for households as seen transversally (image courtesy of Alive Water). The double-helix forces water molecules to spiral and implode, releasing energy 
The Kudu horn, an example of spiralling forms found inspired by Nature. 
Centrifugal (explosion/outward) vs Centripetal (implosion/inward) forces according to Viktor Schauberger, as seen in Living Energies by Callum Coats
My main concern at the time was wether this would fit my kitchen’s faucet? So I contacted their customer support to ask if it would be compatible. To which they’ve kindly offered to include an adapter upon my purchase. By the time the package arrived two weeks and countless Youtube videos later, I learned what an aerator was and how to remove it using an adjustable wrench.
Installation
2 weeks later, the parcel arrived! Inside were some brochures, flyers (in case I’d like to recommend it to others or become a reseller), warranty information: 60-day return policy, and a 10-year warranty and of course, the vortexer with the adapter. A welcome addition was a letter signed by Michael Lund himself, the CEO & Founder of World Living Water Systems. Greatest merch was the Viktor Schauberger bookmark which I’ve placed in my sanctuary. Despite my initial nervousness, the installation was rather simple: all I did was wrap a cloth around my faucet aearator to avoid any scratches on the metal, then used a wrench to unscrew the aerator. Once removed, I inserted the original rubber gaskets first and screwed in the adaptor. Finally, I installed the Vortexer to the adapter by simpling finger tightening the ring. And voila, the vortexer was fitted to my faucet! The whole thing took less than 3 minutes to complete.
Highlights: Expectations vs Reality
My initial reaction to the water flowing out was how light, soft and fluffy the water felt on my hands, with lots of tiny bubbles in the jet. Pouring a glass full, one can notice the water swirling from the momentum of the jet-stream. Taste-wise, the differences were rather subtle: felt less lime/chlorine taste and cleaner than before. In fact, it was good enough that my partner and I have enjoyed drinking from the tap ever since without having any issues. To learn about the benefits in more detail, go visit their website.
Here’s a list of a highlights from my experience after a month of use:
- Quality
- Water feels soft and light to the touch
- Tap water feels cleaner and clearer than before. The swirling motion in the glass feels like water is energized
- Taste of coffee and tea feels cleaner
- When used on plants, water absorption in the soil is noticeably faster than with regular water
- Permanently clean sink: One of the most noticeable improvements is how clean the sink area got since using the vortexer. Doing dishes is really a step-up: easier to clean dirty plates means less water/soap needed
- Went from using Brita Maxtra filters (activated carbon filter) to drinking from the tap directly.
- Design
- 360º rotating ball faucet is ergonomic when doing the dishes. This is a great design since about 2” (~5-6cm) of height is lost from the faucet being lowered, so the rotation offers better leverage
- 10-year manufacturer’s warranty & 60-day return period makes for reliable craftsmanship.
One thing I noticed over the weeks was the emergence of scum-like residue floating on the water’s surface upon washing vegetables. Since regular water in the cup looks fine, I humbly deducted this may be chemicals/pesticides/residue sprayed on vegetables and mushrooms to increase their shelf-life which is washing off [even on organic produce]. I never noticed this before so it seems like a direct result of using vortexed water. If this is indeed the case, then it’s worth stopping and ponder about the subtle but long-term health benefits from eating cleaner produce with lesser amounts of toxins ingested, one meal at a time.
Basil before installing vortexer 
Plant before vortexer was installed 
Basil after 4 weeks of drinking vortexed water. Large leaves and more shoots than before. 
Vortexed water seems to be absorbed faster by the soil (and probably roots). Although subtle, foliage has more vitality and radiance 
Ideas for experiments: seed test; kombucha fermentation; impact on mycelial growth and substrate resistance against mold; more plants tests
Conclusion
“So, what’s the verdict?” you may ask. For me, although the changes in my body were subtler than I expected, I was able to confirm more than a few claims made by the company. As I mentioned previously, the most notable daily change is that washing dishes feels like a breeze. Additionally, I hardly have to wipe stains around my sink/faucet compared to before as they’re almost non-existant: a testament to the antimicrobial properties of structured water. While the lime deposits in my water kettle from before are not entirely gone, they seemed to have stopped increasing. In other words, while it doesn’t reverse the existing deposits, it doesn’t add seem to add any. This seems to at least partially confirm the claims made about removing limescale from pipes.
Last but not least, it’s the house plants that seem to benefit the most: they look happier and healthier than before. For instance, my basil has larger, greener leaves and many more new shoots appearing than previously. It’s interesting to see how quickly water gets absorbed in the soil. While it’s hard to tell objectively whether the quality of my pot soil has improved, on an intuitive level this seems to reflect the effects on my body as well.
How about health? would I notice any significant changes on my health as I expected?
I’d love to tell you that I feel amazing, rejuvenated and that my hands feel smooth as butter, but the truth is, I haven’t noticed a significant change in those areas (yet). Although I do look forward to drinking water whenever I’m home, I simply can’t make any explicit bold claims here. However, I should mention that I’m 30 (male), generally healthy (but lazy) and have never been to the hospital. Perhaps someone with a medical condition may notice more improvements, and in the case of plants, this seems to be the case. Overall, my experience is in line with the goals of this purchasing: which is to say, a longer-term investment towards our health & well-being. It’s also a more sustainable alternative compared to our previous Brita filters, which use an activated charcoal filter that needs to be thrown away every month.
How about negative points? Honestly, there aren’t any negative points I can think of (so far), except maybe, the lowered height of the faucet which you should definitely take into consideration before purchasing by measuring the space between your faucet and the sink. However, the rotating-ball design makes up for this point and thus it’s not a big deal. Otherwise, general improvements I’d like are: a video tutorial to help with setup, and maybe a copper/wavy option for the kitchen model, and better explanation of the differences between the various models. But those are more feedback for improvements than negative claims about the product.
I should also mention that because I am limited to experimenting with my kitchen faucet only, I cannot speak for using vortexed water in my shower, laundry and bathroom. Chances are, the cascading effects of a whole house model will be more significant than from simply using the kitchen tap. There are many insightful testimonies available on Alive Water’s website, and on their Youtube channel. In my opinion, they should not only feature more of those [with visuals] but also open a forum for users to exchange tips and share their experiences.
Would I recommend this to people? If you care about the water quality, or work with plants, this is definitely a great addition to your home, guaranteed. However, I do acknowledge I’d have a hard time convincing my friends to invest 300-400USD to make their water feel slightly better, if you know what I mean. While I have no regret about the purchase, it does feel like a niche product for aquaphiles at the moment, but I’m really curious to notice differences in the long-term. Improving the quality of water is like investing in a solid foundation to build a house on: it will improve anything that involves water including cooking, drinking, cleaning, gardening, and even waste-treatment. I now feel less guilty about leaving water run from the tap, knowing the vortexed water will slowly-but-surely affect the surrounding water in the environment in a positive manner.
There are many experiments I’d love to try at some point:: Kombucha making & fermentation, baking, mushroom growing (experimenting with a straw substrate treated with regular water vs vortexed water and compare mold infection rates); Seed tests comparing growth rates with regular vs vortexed water, and more tests on growing plants/food in general. Luckily, you can already find many such experiments and the results on their websites’ Research page.
For me this is just the tip of the Water revolution. Besides the benefits listed here, vortexing of water as demonstrated by Viktor Schauberger and others, include many benefits such as: efficient water filtration, better health & yields for agricultural use, and clean energy production. Looking forward, the development of technologies to treat large quantities of water with a vortex process may prove to be a crucial asset to providing access to clean water and food to feed the 10 billion people expected by 2050. Naturally, the transition away from a scarcity-driven, fossil-fuel-based (chemical) treatment of water will require more than just vortex-based technologies. However, if we don’t act soon, we should naturally expect an increasing downward spiralling leading to more regional conflicts based on access to fresh water.
I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to have access to this water, and a renewed interest in finding ways to remediate our environment.
May the Water Spirits nudge us on the path towards harmony and regeneration of our ecosystems. May peace, collaboration and abundance of health, food and life be restored on Earth. Many thanks to you readers for your time taking the time to read this review. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a message below, and don’t forget to visit Alive Water’s website for more information.
Resource
Below you will find additional resources linked to the Vortex Revitalizer. I’ve uploaded one of the pamphlets included with the vortexer highlighting some of the benefits.
- Vortex Water Research Experiments courtesy of World Living Systems
- Innovations derived from Vortex Water applications (AskNature)
- The Lily Impeller developped by PAX uses spiral forms (AskNature)
Quiet Eccentric 