The concept, clarified

ORH is an early-stage concept exploring whether rainfall at sea could be collected using simple floating or fixed platforms positioned a short distance offshore.

Around three-quarters of the world’s annual precipitation falls offshore. This rainfall is clean at the point of capture and currently unused.

No. ORH is intended as a complementary, decentralised option, particularly for coastal regions where freshwater access is limited or variable.

Not yet. ORH is currently an independent exploration and concept-development project. Future research may focus on understanding rainfall behaviour in the near-shore offshore zone.

Industry provides the most realistic early testing environment. Once proven, the concept could support humanitarian and community applications in coastal regions with limited freshwater access.

Potentially. Coastal data centres, industrial parks and marine-adjacent facilities increasingly seek resilient, low-energy water sources for cooling or non-potable use.

ESG refers to Environmental, Social and Governance responsibilities. ORH supports these commitments by reducing freshwater abstraction, lowering energy use, strengthening resilience and providing a pathway to future community benefit.

Typically within the first few kilometres from the coastline, where rainfall behaviour is shaped by land-sea interactions.

Sea spray is a recognised design risk, but it can be engineered out through site selection and module design. Measures include first-flush diversion, raised edges, sheltered sites and operational systems that remove accumulated salts. Pilot testing will quantify effectiveness.

Yes, but in many coastal regions it is more stable than land-based rainfall due to maritime weather systems. ORH is designed as a supplementary source that benefits from these patterns.

No. Any diagrams shown are conceptual and illustrative only.