Water Harvest Startup in Alexandria Leads Sydney Push for Air-Sourced Supply

VapourTech, based in Alexandria, began shipping its latest rooftop water harvesters this week after securing contracts with two Sydney councils for native seedling irrigation.

The systems pull moisture from humid air using solar-powered condensers, a direct response to restrictions on mains water use for landscaping that took effect across greater Sydney in June. Councils and developers now face tighter limits on new garden projects while they await state approvals for recycled water connections.

Units already operate at the Sydney Park wetland edge in St Peters and along the rail corridor plantings near Redfern station. The company also supplies a trial plot at the University of Sydney’s Agriculture campus in Camperdown, where seedlings for local bush regeneration are grown in raised beds.

Each unit produces between 180 and 220 litres daily under average Sydney summer humidity, according to performance data released by VapourTech on 2 July. The firm has installed 47 systems since the start of 2025 at an average price of $8,400 per unit including mounting and basic filtration.

Rollout and maintenance steps

Property managers can book a site assessment through the company’s online portal, with installations typically completed in under three weeks once deposits are paid. Regular filter changes cost $95 and are scheduled every four months in the current humidity range.

Next steps for interested operators

Businesses planning native plantings before the spring rush should contact VapourTech by the end of July to lock in current pricing ahead of expected component cost rises. Council rebates for water-saving devices remain available through the City of Sydney sustainability grants until December.