Rocky Ford-based Water Purification system named ‘Coolest Thing Made in Colorado’
ROCKY FORD, Colo. (KRDO) -- Innovative Water Technologies now bears the title of Grand Prize Winner, after the Colorado Chamber of Commerce voted the company's SunSpring water filtration system the 'Coolest Thing Made in Colorado.'
The company, based out of Rocky Ford, has installed water filtration systems in 38 countries, producing over 100 billion liters of clean, drinking water for communities around the world. And it all started with an email.
"Thirteen years ago, I got an email from a little girl in India, and it was three lines," said Company Founder Jack Barker. "It said, 'I drink water every day because I have to, it makes me sick.' And as soon as I got that email, to me, my life changed."
Barker, who has been a part of the water and wastewater business for 40 years, was charged with a new calling.
He quickly got to work on system prototypes in his garage, dreaming and brainstorming up the water filtration system that Innovation Water Technologies produces today, the "SunSpring."
The water purification system is entirely solar and wind-powered, and its infrastructure is capable of withstanding a Category 5 Hurricane.
One SunSpring system provides water filtration for more than ten years from the moment the company installs the systems into a community water supply.
The funding for underserved communities to get water systems comes through partnerships. Innovative Water Technologies partners with Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and nonprofits to connect communities with the technology.
"Water is Life, Global Water First, you know, organizations like that call us, and we're really their technology partner."
Barker says the 'Coolest Thing Made in Colorado' award is special, but not why the company is dedicated to its mission.
"Awards are great and everything," said Barker, "but the most rewarding thing about the job is to see the little kids, you know, let that water run through their hands and drink it and know that they're safe."
