Fact-Check: Can You Really Drink AC Water or Make Millions Selling It in Nigeria? Here’s the Truth

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

A viral trend making rounds on Nigerian social media suggests that water collected from air conditioners—known as AC condensate—is a secret goldmine. Posts claim it’s safe for drinking, profitable to sell, and even suitable for industrial use. But just how accurate are these claims?

Collected AC water is essentially moisture drawn from the air, condensed and drained by the cooling system. It’s true that this water is free from chlorine and most municipal chemicals, which makes it attractive for re-use in a country battling rising water bills and unreliable supply.

People have begun to collect this condensate in buckets and jerrycans, using it for things like watering plants, flushing toilets, and cleaning floors—practical solutions that do work.

However, the claim that AC water is safe to drink or use in sensitive systems like car or inverter batteries is false. Scientific studies have shown that AC condensate may contain mold spores, bacteria such as E. coli, and traces of heavy metals from the pipes or coils of the unit. Unless the water is thoroughly filtered, pH-balanced, and treated for contaminants, it is not safe for human consumption or chemical-sensitive devices.

Also exaggerated is the idea that people are making thousands of naira by selling AC water. Some social media users claimed it is sold for ₦3,000 to ₦10,000 per unit, especially in water-scarce areas. But investigations and real-world accounts show that most resellers sell the water for far less—typically between ₦150 and ₦200 per jerrycan. Profits are minimal because a single AC unit only produces about 7 to 10 liters of water in a full day of use, and the process of collecting, storing, and transporting the water is labour-intensive.

While using AC water to reduce household water bills is a smart, eco-friendly move, the idea that it’s a viable source of income or a safe alternative to tap water is largely unfounded. It’s a practical hack for some—but not the groundbreaking hustle or miracle solution that some online posts claim.

Bottom line: AC water has real utility for non-drinking purposes, but don’t believe the hype about big profits or safe consumption without proper treatment.