Fresh water price index based on water quality

Abstract

To provide a method and system for computing a stable index value of fresh water based on water quality category and / or grade from current values of root commodities that either have fresh water as a constituent and / or utilize fresh water in their production.SOLUTION: A method includes: determining, using a processor, current prices of at least one root commodity; matching at least one water quality category and / or grade with the at least one root commodity such that a quality of water as a constituent or used in production of a root commodity meets water quality standards of each water quality category; and determining, for each water quality category, a current index value for fresh water. The processor measures fresh water at a water source with respect to chemical or physical criteria such as at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins and sodium absorption ratio to determine the water quality category and / or the water quality grade of fresh water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for setting a stable price for pure water and creating financial products using such a price, and more particularly, to a system and method in which the price or index value of pure water is based on water quality.

[0002] Pure water is an essential and irreplaceable commodity that is in short supply. Pure water is also a highly desirable commodity for investment. Investment funds are required to protect, purify, and distribute water. On the other hand, the water market is strongly influenced by local and temporary factors, and prices fluctuate wildly. To invest safely in water, investors need additional protection.

[0003] It is important for the water market to take water quality into account. This is true from the rational economic perspective of investors - the true value of water depends largely on water quality. It is also true from a more idealistic perspective. This is because in order to increase the motivation to protect water quality, the value of water to its holders needs to reflect its quality.

[0004] Due to a few factors, developing a reasonable price index for water has been more difficult than for other commodities. First, water is a highly regulated commodity, and its price often does not reflect its true market value. Second, water is an essential element in countless different processes. Different aspects of water quality have different impacts on the value of water for different uses.

[0005] Regarding the initial difficulty, the political and economic importance of water has already been pointed out in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter, "Shirazi's 239 Patent") issued to inventor Shirazi on September 20, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Governments and local authorities, on the one hand, use water exit fees, fixed taxes, and progressive taxes, and on the other hand, they carry out water subsidy disbursements to protect local water supplies or encourage water-intensive industries (such as agriculture). Water prices vary (e.g., 0.16 - 4.0 usd / m 3 ), and cancellation fees (e.g., 0 - 70% in different states in Australia) and tax rates (e.g., 10 - 50% progressive tax and 30% subsidy disbursement for agriculture in Israel) also vary. As a result, no one has been able to build a stable international market for water.

[0006] Regarding the second problem, it is pointed out by the Tennessee Water Control Board (see the rules of the Tennessee Dept., Environment and Conservation Division, Water Pollution Control, Chapter 1200 - 4 - 1, http: / / tn.gov / sos / rules / 1200 / 1200 - 04 / 1200 - 04 - 01.pdf) that water has many uses that are reasonable and necessary in the public interest. Such uses include water sources for domestic and industrial purposes; the breeding and maintenance of fish and other aquatic organisms; recreation in water areas, including the safe consumption of fish and shellfish; watering livestock and irrigation; navigation; power generation; the breeding and maintenance of wildlife; and enjoying the scenic and aesthetic characteristics of water areas. The strict use of uniform water quality is not desirable or reasonable due to the different uses of water as described above.

[0007] Therefore, developing a unified price index for water as a commodity requires considering the mode of use and the interaction between the mode of use and the quality coefficient in a way different from other commodities.

[0008] It is not possible (as is done for other commodities) to define specific "good" and "bad" points of water quality and assign scores. This is clearly stated, for example, by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations):

[0009] Conceptually, water quality refers to the characteristics of the water supply that affect its suitability for a particular use, i.e., to what extent the quality meets the user's needs. Quality is defined by specific physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Even personal preferences such as taste are a simple evaluation of acceptability. For example, when two equally high-quality drinking waters are available, people may prefer one supply over the other, and the water with a better taste becomes the preferred supply. In the evaluation of irrigation water, emphasis is placed on the chemical and physical characteristics of the water, and other factors are rarely considered important.

[0010] Different uses have different quality needs, and if one water supply produces better results or causes fewer problems than an alternative water supply, that water supply is considered more acceptable (of higher quality). For example, high-quality river water that can be used well for irrigation may not be acceptable for municipal use without treatment to remove sediment due to its sediment load. Similarly, very high-quality snowmelt water for municipal use may be too corrosive for industrial use without treatment to reduce its corrosion potential. Clearly, simply defining the use of water and taking a weighted average of its value for each use cannot be done. Because this would disadvantage water for drinking if that water was also for agricultural use. In fact, due to the very large differences in quantitative requirements, it is often advantageous to sell drinking-quality water to agriculture.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a stable price of genuine water based on water quality and a pressing need for financial products based on such prices.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0012]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a method of investing in genuine water based on the quality of genuine water, comprising: (a) receiving, using a processing device, the renewable current price of at least one root commodity other than water, wherein each root commodity of the at least one root commodity has at least one of (i) water as a component in said respective root commodity, and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root commodity; (b) matching each of at least one water quality category: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, to each respective root commodity of the at least one root commodity such that the water quality of the water used in the production of each root commodity meets the water quality standards of each respective water quality category, wherein the water quality standards are promulgated by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States; and (c) for each respective water quality category of the at least one water quality category, determining, using a processing device, the renewable current indicator value of genuine water that meets said respective water quality category, wherein the indicator value is based on the current price of said respective root commodity that matches said respective water quality category and at least one of (i) the amount of genuine water as a component in said respective root commodity that matches said respective water quality category, and (ii) the amount of genuine water used in the production of said respective root commodity that matches said respective water quality category.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of this method is a step of measuring at least one water source having true water with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption rate, thereby classifying the true water of at least one water source by one or more of (i) water quality category and (ii) water quality class.

[0015] A further preferred embodiment is a step of displaying on a display connected to a computer the updatable current price of one or more root products and, in particular, the updatable current price of true water of (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, wherein the current price of true water of a specific water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment is a step of displaying on a first portion of a display connected to a computer one or more current indicator values of true water and an indication identifying either water or the category of true water for which the current price is displayed in the first portion, the display further including, in its second portion, the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its current indicator values has been calculated and an indication identifying at least one root product for which the current price is displayed in the second portion.

[0017] Yet a further preferred embodiment includes a step of updating and making public at least one of the displayed current indicator values over time and a step of updating and making public the displayed current price of at least one root product over time.

[0018] A more preferred embodiment includes determining a current value of the suitability of raw water from a specific water source for each of a plurality of water quality categories, and combining the determined current values of the suitability of raw water from a specific water source for each of the plurality of water quality categories with the market share of water from each water quality category to weight each respective indicator value, thereby combining the current indicator values of the raw water for each water quality category, and determining the price of the raw water from the specific water source using a processing device.

[0019] A further aspect of the present invention is a method of investing in raw water based on the quality of the raw water, comprising: (a) receiving, using a processing device, the renewable current price of at least one route product other than water, wherein each route product of the at least one route product has at least one of (i) water as a component in the respective route product and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the respective route product; (b) matching each of the at least one route products with each of at least one water quality category such that the quality of the water that is a component in each route product meets the water quality standards of each water quality category published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States; and (c) for each of the at least one water quality categories, determining, using a processing device, the renewable current indicator value of the raw water that meets the respective water quality category, the indicator value being determined based on the current price of the respective route product that matches the respective water quality category and at least one of (i) the amount of raw water as a component in the respective route product that matches the respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of raw water used in the manufacture of the respective route product that matches the respective water quality category.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the method includes a step of displaying, on a display connected to a computer, the updatable current prices of one or more root products and, in particular, the updatable current prices of genuine water of (i) a water quality category, (ii) a water quality class, or (iii) a water quality category and a water quality class, wherein the current price of genuine water of a specific water quality depends on the current prices of one or more root products.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the method includes a step of displaying, on a first portion of a display connected to a computer, one or more current indicator values of genuine water and an indication identifying either water or the category of genuine water for which a current price is displayed in the first portion, wherein the display further includes a step of displaying, on a second portion thereof, the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of the current indicator values has been calculated and an indication identifying the at least one root product for which a current price is displayed in the second portion.

[0022] A further aspect of the present invention is a method of using financial products to invest in fresh water based on water quality, the method comprising the steps of measuring, using a processing device, the respective prices of financial products that specify on their face a specific quantity of fresh water of a specific water quality category, wherein the price of each financial product is determined using an indicator value of fresh water of the specific water quality category; storing in a computer water quality criteria for at least one water quality category; receiving, using a processing device, the updatable current price of at least one root product other than water, wherein each root product of the at least one root product has (i) water as a component in the respective root product, and (ii) at least one of the water used in the manufacture of the respective root product; associating each water quality category of at least one water quality category with the root product of at least one root product such that the quality of the water, which is (i) a component in each root product or (ii) used in the manufacture of each root product, meets the water quality criteria of each water quality category from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, wherein the water quality criteria are those promulgated by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States; determining, using a processing device, the updatable current indicator value of fresh water that meets each respective water quality category of at least one water quality category, wherein the indicator value is determined based on the current price of the respective root product associated with each respective water quality category and at least one of (i) the quantity of fresh water that is a component in the respective root product associated with each respective water quality category and (ii) the quantity of fresh water used in the manufacture of the respective root product associated with each respective water quality category.

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the method includes the step of displaying, on a display connected to a computer, the updatable current price of one or more root products and the updatable current price of genuine water of a specific (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, wherein the current price of genuine water of a specific water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products.

[0024] One further preferred embodiment of the method includes the step of displaying, on a first portion of a display connected to a computer, at least one updatable current indicator value of genuine water, wherein the display further displays, on a second portion thereof, the price of at least one root product for which at least one of the indicator values is calculated, and at least one of the indicator values and the price of at least one root product are updated over time.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, the method also includes a water quality category with criteria specifying at least one range of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio.

[0026] In some further preferred embodiments, the method also includes a water quality category having criteria specifying ranges of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio.

[0027] In a further specific preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of using a specific amount of genuine water as collateral for the face value of each financial product.

[0028] A further aspect of the present invention is a system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, the system comprising receiving an updatable current price of at least one root product other than water, each root product of the at least one root product having (i) water as a component, and (ii) at least one of the water used in the manufacture of said respective root product, storing water quality standards for at least one water quality category, processing an association for each of the at least one water quality category such that the quality of the water used in the manufacture of the root product meets the water quality standards of each water quality category from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the water quality standards being those promulgated by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States, and determining an updatable current indicative value of fresh water for each water quality category based on the current price of said respective root product and on at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water as a component in the root product associated with said respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the root product, and including a computer therefor.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, the system includes a display connected to a computer for displaying the current price of one or more root products that can be updated, and the current price of real water of a specific water quality such that the current price of real water of a specific (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class depends on the current price of one or more root products. In some further preferred embodiments, the system has a display connected to a computer for displaying one or more of the current index values of real water that can be updated, and marks for identifying each category of real water for each current index value displayed in the first part, where the water and the current index value. The display further displays the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its current index values that can be updated has been calculated, and marks for identifying each of the at least one root product whose current price is displayed on the display. In other preferred embodiments, the system includes a display connected to a computer for displaying one or more of the current index values of real water, and marks for identifying water, or each category of real water for each current index value displayed in the first part, in the first part of the display. The display displays, in its second part, the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its current index values has been calculated, and marks for identifying at least one root product whose current price is displayed in the second part.

[0030] Certain preferred embodiments of the system further include at least one water quality category from (i) a first water quality category of water that meets the minimum standards for drinking or household use, (ii) a second water quality category of water that does not meet the standards for drinking water but meets the minimum standards for agricultural quality water, and (iii) a third water quality category of water that does not meet the standards for agricultural quality water and drinking water but meets the minimum standards for industrial quality water.

[0031] In some preferred embodiments of the system, the water quality standard category specifies at least one range of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium adsorption rate.

[0032] In some preferred embodiments, the system further includes a water quality measurement device for measuring true water from at least one water source having true water for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium adsorption rate, in order to classify the true water of at least one water source by water quality category.

[0033] In certain preferred embodiments of the system, the computer is also for determining the price of true water from a particular water source by measuring the current value of the suitability of true water from each particular water source of at least one water quality category and by combining the current index values of the true water of each water quality category by weighting (i) the determined current value of the suitability of true water from each particular water source of at least one water quality category and (ii) the respective index values combined by the market share of water from each of at least one water quality category.

[0034] A further aspect of the present invention is a further system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, the system receiving an updatable current price of at least one route product other than water, each route product of the at least one route product having at least one of (i) water as a component in the route product and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the route product, storing water quality standards for at least one water quality category, determining and storing an association between at least one route product and each of at least one water quality category of at least one water quality category such that the quality of the water as a component in each route product meets the water quality standards of each water quality category from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the water quality standards being those promulgated by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States, and determining an updatable current indicative value of fresh water for each water quality category based on the current price of each of the respective route products and at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water as a component in the route product associated with each of the respective water quality categories and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the route product, and including a computer for that purpose.

[0035] In some preferred embodiments, a further system includes a display connected to a computer for displaying an updatable current price of one or more root products and an updatable current price of raw water of a particular (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, such that the current price of the raw water of a particular water quality depends on the current price of the one or more root products. In some other preferred embodiments, the further system includes a display connected to a computer for displaying one or more updatable current indicator values of raw water and indicia identifying each category of raw water for which an updatable current indicator value is displayed in a first portion, the display further displaying the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its updatable current indicator values has been calculated and indicia identifying each of the at least one root product for which its current price is displayed on the display.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the further system, the water quality criteria specify a range of at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio.

[0037] Another aspect of the present invention is yet another system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, the system including at least one computer of a commodity exchange that outputs prices of commodities other than water, at least one of the commodities being a root commodity that has water as a component or uses fresh water in its manufacture, a system computer comprising a processing device, the system computer being connected to at least one computer of at least one commodity exchange and configured to receive updatable price data of commodities from at least one computer of at least one commodity exchange, and further configured to identify root commodities and extract the current prices of the identified root commodities from the updatable price data, the processing device storing water quality standards for at least one water quality category, associating each respective water quality category of at least one water quality category with at least one of the identified root commodities such that the quality of the water used in the manufacture of each identified root commodity meets the water quality standards published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States for each water quality category of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, calculating an updatable current indicator value of fresh water that meets each respective water quality category for each respective water quality category of at least one water quality category, the current indicator value being determined based on the current price of each respective identified root commodity associated with each respective water quality category and at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in each respective identified root commodity associated with each respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of each respective identified root commodity associated with each respective water quality category, and the system computer being configured to transmit the calculated current indicator values of each water quality category to at least one computer.

[0038] Yet another specific preferred embodiment of the system comprises a display connected to at least one computer, the display displaying at least one current indicator value of fresh water of a water quality category and displaying the price of at least one identified route product for which at least one current indicator value of fresh water has been calculated, the at least one current indicator value of the displayed fresh water being updated over time and the displayed price of the at least one identified route product being updated over time.

[0039] Another preferred embodiment of this other system comprises a display connected to at least one computer, the display displaying, in its first part, at least one current indicator value of fresh water of a water quality category and, in its second part, displaying the price of at least one identified route product for which at least one current indicator value of fresh water has been calculated, the at least one current indicator value of the displayed fresh water being updated over time and the displayed price of the at least one identified route product being updated over time.

[0040] Yet another system may further include, in a specific preferred embodiment, a processing device for determining the price of each of a plurality of financial products that specify a specific amount of fresh water of a specific water quality category on their face, the price of each financial product being determined using the current indicator value of fresh water of one water quality category.

[0041] Yet another aspect of the present invention is yet another method of investing in fresh water based on the quality of fresh water, the method comprising: (a) receiving, using a processing device, the current renewable price of at least one root commodity, wherein the root commodity is other than water, and each of the at least one root commodity has at least one of (i) water as a component of said respective root commodity, and (ii) water used in the manufacture of said respective root commodity; (b) associating each of at least one water quality category with at least one of the at least one root commodity, wherein the at least one water quality category is defined by being within a range for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins and sodium adsorption ratio; and (c) for each of the at least one water quality category, determining the current renewable indicator value of fresh water that meets said respective water quality category, the indicator value being based on the current price of the respective root commodity associated with said respective water quality category and on at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the respective root commodity associated with said respective water quality category, and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the respective root commodity associated with said respective water quality category.

[0042] In yet further preferred embodiments of the method, there is a step of displaying on a display connected to a computer one or more updatable current indicator values of natural water and an indication identifying water or the category of natural water for which the current indicator value is displayed on the display, wherein the display displays the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its current indicator values has been calculated and an indication identifying each root product of the at least one root product for which the current price is displayed. In other preferred embodiments of this yet further method, there is a step of displaying on a first portion of a display connected to a computer one or more updatable current indicator values of natural water and an indication identifying either water or the category of natural water for which the current price is displayed on the first portion, wherein the display displays on the second portion thereof an updatable current price of at least one root product for which at least one of the current indicator values has been calculated and an indication identifying each root product of the at least one root product for which the current price is displayed on the second portion.

[0043] The yet further method further includes, in some preferred embodiments, a step of using a treatment device to adjust the price of natural water based on the suitability of the natural water for at least one of (i) beverage use, (ii) agricultural use, and (iii) industrial use.

[0044] Some other preferred embodiments of the yet further method include a step of using a treatment device to adjust the price of non-natural water based on the suitability of the non-natural water for at least one of (i) beverage use, (ii) agricultural use, and (iii) industrial use.

[0045] Some preferred embodiments of the yet further method are steps of determining, using a treatment device, the price of each of a plurality of financial products that specify a specific quantity of natural water of a specific water quality category on their face value, wherein the price of each financial product is determined using the current indicator value of natural water of one water quality category. Yet a further method, in some preferred embodiments, further includes measuring at least one water source having true water with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio to classify the true water of at least one water source by water quality category.

[0046] Yet a further method, in some preferred embodiments, includes measuring at least one water source with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio to classify the true water of at least one water source by water quality class within the water quality category of the true water of the at least one water source.

[0047] Yet a further aspect of the present invention is a further system for buying and selling true water based on water quality, the system comprising a water quality measuring device for measuring the true water of at least one water source with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio, Receiving data from a water quality measurement device for true water with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption rate; comparing the received data with water quality standards stored to determine the water quality category of the true water; determining the current price of at least one route product, wherein each route product is other than water and each of the at least one route product has at least one of (i) water as a component in the route product and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the route product; processing the association between at least one water quality category and each of the at least one route product; and determining the current index value of true water for each water quality category of at least one water quality category based on the current price of each of the respective route products and based on at least one of (i) the amount of true water that is a component in the route product associated with each of the respective water quality categories and (ii) the amount of true water used in the manufacture of the route product, including a computer for this purpose.

[0048] In a further system, in some preferred embodiments, the computer determines a water quality class, processes the association of each water quality class with at least one root product, and, based on the current price of each of the root products and on at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the root products associated with each water quality class and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the root products, determines the current index value of fresh water for each water quality class. The further system, in some preferred embodiments, comprises a display connected to the computer, the display being for displaying the updatable current price of one or more root products and the updatable current price of fresh water for a particular (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, such that the current price of fresh water of a particular water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products. In some preferred embodiments, the updatable current price of one or more root products and the updatable current price of fresh water for a particular (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class are located in different parts of the display.

[0049] One aspect of the present invention is a method of investing in fresh water based on the quality of fresh water, the method comprising: (a) receiving, using a processing device, the current renewable price of at least one root commodity, wherein the root commodity is other than water, and each root commodity of the at least one root commodity has at least one of: (i) water as a component of the respective root commodity, and (ii) water used in the production of the respective root commodity; (b) associating at least one water quality category with the at least one root commodity; and (c) for each water quality category of the at least one water quality category, determining a current renewable indicator value of fresh water that meets the respective water quality category, the indicator value being based on the current price of the at least one root commodity associated with the respective water quality category and on at least one of: (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the at least one root commodity associated with the respective water quality category, and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the production of the at least one root commodity associated with the respective water quality category.

[0050] A further aspect of the present invention is a system for trading fresh water based on water quality, the system comprising receiving an updatable current price of at least one root product other than water, each root product of the at least one root product having at least one of (i) water as a component and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root product; storing water quality standards published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States for at least two water quality categories from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water; processing an association of each of at least one water quality category with a financial product specifying on its face a specific quantity of fresh water meeting the water quality standards of each water quality category, the price of the financial product being based on the specific quantity of fresh water and the current index value of the fresh water of the specific water quality category; and determining an updatable current index value of the fresh water of each water quality category based on the current price of said respective root product and at least one of (i) the quantity of fresh water that is a component in the root product associated with said respective water quality category and (ii) the quantity of fresh water used in the production of the root product, and including a computer therefor.

[0051] One preferred embodiment of the system is for displaying an updatable current price of one or more root products and an updatable current price of fresh water of a specific (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, such that the current price of the fresh water of a specific water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products.

[0052] A further aspect of the present invention is a system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, the system comprising receiving an updatable current price of at least one route product other than water, each route product of the at least one route product having at least one of (i) water as a component and (ii) water used in the manufacture of said respective route product, storing water quality standards published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States for at least two water quality categories from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, and determining an updatable current index value of fresh water for each water quality category based on the current price of said respective route product and at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the route product associated with said respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the route product, a computer for this purpose, and financial products each specifying on its face a specific amount of fresh water that meets the water quality standards for each water quality category from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the price of which is based on the specific amount of fresh water and the current index value of fresh water for the specific water quality category. In one version of the system, each financial product specifies on its face a specific amount of fresh water that meets the water quality standards for each water quality category from the following water quality categories: domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water. In some preferred embodiments of the system, each financial product specifies on its face a specific amount of fresh water that meets the water quality standards for each water quality category from the following water quality categories: domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water.

[0053] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Various embodiments are described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0056] The following detailed description is the best method currently contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Since the scope of the present invention is most preferably defined by the appended claims, this description should not be taken in a limiting sense, but is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention.

[0057] The present invention generally provides a method and system for setting a stable price of fresh water based on the quality of fresh water. This may be applied to fresh water from a specific water source. A financial product that specifies a specific quantity of fresh water of a specific water quality category on its face value may present a price determined using the index value of fresh water of the specific water quality category. The method of the present invention includes a step of determining, using a processing device, the current price of at least one root product, wherein each root product is other than water, and each root product of the at least one root product has at least one of (i) water as a component in each of the respective root products, and (ii) water used in the manufacture of each of the respective root products. The method may further include a step of associating or matching at least one water quality category and / or water quality class with at least one root product such that the quality of water, which is a component in the root product or used in the manufacture of the root product, meets the water quality standards of each water quality category. The method may further include a step of determining, using a processing device, the current index value of fresh water for each water quality category of at least one water quality category. The method may further include a step of measuring the fresh water of at least one water source with respect to at least one of chemical or physical criteria such as at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium absorption rate, thereby determining the water quality category and / or water quality class of the fresh water from that water source. The system of the present invention may include a water quality measuring device for measuring the fresh water of at least one water source with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium absorption rate. The system may further include a computer for receiving data from the water quality measuring device for fresh water and comparing the received data with the stored water quality standards in order to determine the water quality category of fresh water with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium absorption rate.The computer may further determine the current price of at least one root product (a root product other than water), and each of the at least one root product has at least one of (i) water as a component in the root product, and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the root product. The computer may further process the association of at least one root product with each of at least one water quality category, and, based on the current price of each of the root products, determine an updatable current index value of true water for each of the water quality categories based on at least one of (i) the amount of true water that is a component in the root product associated with each of the water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of true water used in the manufacture of the root product. The present invention may further include a display connected to a computer that displays the updatable current price of one or more root products and the updatable current price of true water for a particular (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, wherein the current price of true water for a particular water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products. The independent variable (the price of the root product) may be displayed in different parts of the display, and the dependent variable is the price of true water for a particular water quality category and / or water quality class.

[0058] Except for Patent Document 1, there is no method or system for setting a stable price for pure water, and in the '239 Patent, the price does not consider water quality. In contrast to the prior art, the method and system of the present invention can develop a stable price for pure water and related financial products, which takes into account the quality of water. By considering the quality of water, the price can be more accurately, more stably, and adjusted to different water sources in various locations around the world. In fact, today, bottled water from the Swiss Alps sometimes has an inflated price, that is, a price higher than what is reasonable based on the reputation of the high quality of the water from the Alps. However, in reality, its quality has deteriorated due to environmental pollution by pharmaceutical companies around the Alps. The present invention provides a price based on more accurate quality. This is because the price is related to water quality, the quality of its water source is measured, and this measurement value is updated at reasonable intervals, for example, annually. Furthermore, by basing the price of water on water quality, it becomes possible to better utilize water resources as financial collateral. This can also facilitate trading, especially in Europe, when looking for new stocks somehow. In contrast to the prior art where the price of water may not be based on water quality categories, by using water quality categories, a price is created, and by using this price to develop financial products, better water quality is promoted. This is because a higher price can be set for water of better quality. In further contrast to the prior art, the present invention may adjust the price of water based on the geographical location of the water source. In contrast to the prior art where a display may only display one type of product, the display used in the method and system of the present invention may display both the price (or index) of one or more root products and the price (or index) of one or more categories and / or classes of pure water based on quality. The price of pure water may be calculated from the price of one or more root products.Furthermore, while the display of the price of a product may have various prices of various products within a specific portion of the display, in contrast to the prior art where there is no dependency between the price of one product being displayed and the price of another product being displayed, the display associated with the system and method of the present invention may display the price of one or more root products and one or more water quality categories and / or one or more prices or metrics of pure water, and the price of water is calculated from one or more prices of the root products. Further, in certain preferred embodiments, the display of the method and system of the present invention includes the price of one or more root products in a first portion of the display and the display of the prices of various water quality categories and / or water quality classes of pure water in a second portion of the display, and the price of one or more water quality categories and / or water quality classes of pure water displayed in the second portion of the display is calculated from and may be dependent on one or more displayed prices of the root products displayed in the first portion of the display. Each of these displayed prices may be updated continuously. By displaying the price of the water product and the price of the root product from which the price of the water product is thus calculated, a diagram may be provided to enable the user of the display to readily recognize the relationship between the price of the water and the price of the root product at a glance. Thereby, the user of the display can better understand this relationship between the products. Further, by displaying the water metrics separately from other products, it may draw attention to new uses of water as a product and may encourage improvement of water quality. This is because the price of water is related to the quality category and / or class of pure water. In contrast to the prior art where water is measured only to determine whether it meets the minimum standards for drinking, the present invention may include the step of measuring the quality of the water source (for example, for TDS, carbonate, pH, etc.) in order to conform the water to the water quality categories (i.e., natural water, domestic, agricultural, industrial) and optionally to the classes within each category. Further, in contrast to the prior art, the present invention may include the step of measuring the quality of the water source in order to create water quality categories for creating separate prices (benchmark prices or otherwise) for each water quality category.

[0059] The principles and operations of the method and system for the water quality-based price index of fresh water according to the present invention will be better understood by referring to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0060] The following are some examples of methods for calculating the price of fresh water based on water quality (and financial products based on such prices).

[0061] "Fresh water" should be understood to include water in the form of ice, for example, fresh water frozen in icebergs. In this patent application, when referring to "associating", "associate", or "matching" a water quality category with a root product, this should be understood to include associating or matching the root product only with a part of the water quality category (i.e., class). For example, matching a root product with class A1 (where "A" is a water quality category) is within the scope of matching or associating a water quality category with a root product and is to be understood as an example thereof.

[0062] To define a stable market for water based on water quality, a few basic water quality categories may be defined. Using Patent Document 1 to Shirazi, the market value may be defined for each water quality category or water category use employed, based on the price of freely traded goods that require water of any quality type. Thereafter, a price index for various qualities of water may be defined based on the available uses and prices. Finally, the price of water from a specific water source may be calculated based on the suitability of the water for various categories of water quality or use.

[0063] Category - Four general categories of water use: 1. Natural quality - Untreated as mineral water or spring water suitable for sale or drinking 1a. Drinking water derived from icebergs, treated or untreated 2. For household use - (high quality) - Generally, rather than being bottled for sale, it is suitable for being optionally treated (e.g., adding chlorine, fluoride, or other supplements), sold, and distributed for drinking or other residential purposes (i.e., shower) by flowing out from a faucet. 3. Agricultural quality - Medium quality 4. Industrial quality - The minimum quality should not damage machinery or manufacturing processes. Water quality may be characterized by the following aspects: 1. Total dissolved solids (TD) 2. Carbonate content (H 3 CO 3 ) 3. pH 4. Hardness (Ca, Mg) - expressed as mg / l CaCO 3 5. Sodium (Na) 6. Chloride (Cl) 7. Nitrate (NO 3 ) 8. Toxin 9. Sodium adsorption ratio (SA)

[0064] (Specific conditions) Natural water To be sold as spring water or mineral water, the water must be obtained from a natural source that can be drunk untreated. Generally, for this purpose, the water must meet drinking standards and be protected from human diseases. In fact, this only applies to natural groundwater (deep groundwater or groundwater from areas where no one lives) that meets drinking standards.

[0065] To qualify as natural, the water must be from either a deep confined aquifer or a protected area (e.g., an uninhabited area).

[0066] ​Toxins must be within the drinking water standards. Toxins are known in the standards, and since the standards change over time with respect to what constitutes a toxin, it is not the intention here to enumerate all toxins in water. Rather, an example of how to develop the standards from available knowledge is shown below to generate a value system based on the systematic quality of water. An example of the drinking water standard for toxins

[0067]

Table 1

[0068] In certain preferred embodiments, natural water may be further classified into a plurality of classes. For example, bottled water (an example of water from a natural water source) can be classified into a plurality of classes, and based on whether the relative quality of the bottled water is high, medium, or low, for example, Α bottled 1. Α bottled 2. Α bottled 3 are labeled / graded.

[0069] Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Adjustments regarding TDS vary around the world. For example, in the United States, bottled water must contain at least 250 mg / l of TDS in order to be labeled, for example, as mineral water. TDS of 500 mg / l or more confers the qualification of "low mineral content" to the water, and 1,500 mg / l or more permits the label of "high mineral content".

[0070] In distilled water, the TDS is 0 mg / l, while seawater contains approximately 34,000 mg / l. Most bottled waters fall within the TDS range of 50 - 800 mg / l (Ducale, 55 mg / l; Panna, 188 mg / l; Fiji, 210 mg / l; Evian, 357 mg / l; Perrier, 475 mg / l), but many highly regarded waters have higher TDS (San Pellegrino, 1,109 mg / l; Badoit, 1,200 mg / l; Contrex, 2,032 mg / l; Gerolsteiner, 2,527 mg / l). Some of these waters are considered therapeutic - their mineral composition is believed to have healing powers (Famous Crazy, 2,783 mg / l; Vichy Celestms, 3,378 mg / l). However, some therapeutic waters have low TDS, for example, Fiuggi contains only 122 mg / l of TDS.

[0071] Hardness Hard water does not have a negative impact on health or taste. According to the U.S. National Research Council, magnesium and calcium in hard water can actually contribute to the daily dietary requirements.

[0072] pH pH has only a slight effect on the taste of water and no known health effects.

[0073] Household Water that meets the standards of drinking quality but does not come from a protected water source is not recommended for drinking without treatment (although there are bottles selling such water without treatment, and selling such water has received criticism and may lead to the occurrence of diseases). Under any conditions, certain brands of "spring water" from suburban sources may be priced highly, but this is not a function of water quality.

[0074] Generally, in addition to meeting health and taste criteria, domestic water must also be suitable for general use and transportation. This places constraints on the quality of water for domestic use that are not seen in expensive natural waters. For example, · The pH of domestic water must not be too low (to prevent corrosion and leaching of pipes). · Domestic water should not be too hard (Ca, Mg). Hard water is difficult to clean and increasingly relies on soap and synthetic detergents. Hardness causes scaling in boilers. Soft water has sodium added and has no negative impact on the taste of water. · Drinking water standards do not allow much TDS in domestic water (in contrast to well-known mineral waters).

[0075]

Table 2

[0076] For agricultural use A very important factor in the suitability of irrigation water is the salt content. The suitability of irrigation water is determined not only by the total amount of salts present (measured as TDS), but also by the type of salts. The problems caused by salts vary both in type and degree and are also modified by the expertise and knowledge of the water user, as well as by the soil, climate, and crops. As a result, no restrictions on water quality are set. Rather, suitability for use is determined by the conditions of use, which can affect the accumulation of water components and limit crop production. The most commonly faced problems with soil, which are used as criteria for evaluating water quality, are related to groups of problems such as salinity, water infiltration, toxicity, and various other problems.

[0077] Salinity - Salts in the soil or water reduce the availability of the crop to the extent that it affects yield.

[0078] Water infiltration rate - A relatively high sodium content or low calcium content in the soil or water reduces the rate at which irrigation water enters the soil to the extent that it cannot be sufficiently infiltrated to properly supply the crop from one irrigation to the next.

[0079] Specific ion toxicity - Specific ions (sodium, chloride, or boron) from the soil or water accumulate in sensitive crops to concentrations high enough to damage the crop and reduce yields.

[0080] Others - Excessive nutrients reduce yields or quality. Unsightly deposits on fruits and leaves reduce market value. Excessive corrosion of equipment increases maintenance and repair.

[0081] An important factor in the suitability of agricultural water, which is not a standard for drinking water, is the SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) defined as Na / ((Ca + Mg) / 2), where Na, Ca, and Mg are the equivalent concentrations of the respective ions in me / l. According to the FAO, the infiltration ability of water is approximately controlled as follows by SAR and TDS. 1 / 2 As defined by, where Na, Ca, and Mg are the equivalent concentrations of the respective ions in me / l. According to the FAO, the infiltration ability of water is approximately controlled as follows by SAR and TDS.

[0082]

Table 3

[0083]

Table 4

[0084] Similar to toxins in drinking water, water may be defined as suitable for agriculture only if certain phytotoxins are within the limits listed in Table 2 of the attached FAO document Water Quality for Agriculture http: / / www.fao.org / docrerj / 003 / T0234E / T0234EQ 1.htmtfchl.2.industrial.

[0085] Industrial use may be assumed to have the minimum requirements for the effect that water does not damage the machine.

[0086]

Table 5

[0087] Quality category - Index price Based on the analysis of relevant aspects of water quality, we can design a unified criterion for valuation to determine the price. For example, the price composition may classify water by its almost strict use. Subsequently, various quality aspects may be used to determine the quality category within each major use category.

[0088] Category of water Water may be classified into the following four general use categories: A. Meeting at least the minimum household standards B. Agricultural - Not meeting the drinking water standard by meeting at least the minimum agricultural standard C. Industrial - Not conforming to the agricultural or drinking water standards, but meeting at least the minimum industrial standard

[0089] Category of water quality Natural water Natural water is water from a natural natural source that can be drunk untreated. To qualify as natural, the water must be from either a deep confined aquifer or a protected area (e.g., an uninhabited area). Toxins must be within the drinking water standards. For example, to qualify as "natural" water, the water must meet the minimum drinking water standards of several major organizations, such as the United States, the EEC, or the WHO, with respect to the toxin content. In some cases, the standards for natural drinkable water may be different from the municipal water quality standards (which are not as strict).

[0090] Natural water must be derived from a protected water source, meet the requirements of Table 1, and, except when the conditions are different from those in Table 1, must be within the EEC drinking water standards.

[0091] Since the market value of bottled water and natural water is limited, the value of natural water depends on its secondary use. For natural water of market quality (A1, A2, A3), a value of 1 / 3 of the value of purified water + 2 / 3 of the value of domestic water may be given. For natural water without market quality (B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3), a value of 1 / 4 of the value of bottled water + 2 / 3 of the value of water for secondary use may be given (since natural water is intended for drinking, if it does not meet the drinking standards, the natural water will lose much of its value). These assigned fractions (1 / 3 and 2 / 3, 1 / 4 and 3 / 4) are merely examples of fractions that may be selected to achieve a weighted combination, and other fractions (or non-fractional coefficients) may be used.

[0092] For example, the value of purified water (used to calculate the value of natural water) may be calculated from the value of water ready to drink (bottled water and purified water). An example of such a calculation is given in Patent Document 1, in which the value of purified water is labeled as Pb and is sometimes also called "bottled water". In this specification, the terms "bottled water" and Pb may be used in a more general sense of "water ready to drink".

[0093] In an alternative configuration, natural water may receive a second f * bonus / penalty. If water of A1 also meets the A2 standard, f * = 1.2. If water of A2 does not meet the A2 standard but meets the A3 standard, f * = 1. If water of A1 does not meet the A3 standard but meets the B3 standard, f * = 0.5. If water of A2 does not meet either the A3 standard or the B1 standard, f * = 0.3.

[0094] A1, A2, A3: For household use Water that meets the drinking water quality standards but is not necessarily from a protected water source is not recommended for drinking untreated.

[0095] The water of A1 must meet the conditions of high-quality drinking water in Table 2 and must be within the EEC drinking standards, except when the conditions are different from those of high-quality drinking water in Table 2.

[0096] The water of A2 must meet the conditions of medium-quality drinking water in Table 2 and must be within the EEC drinking standards, except when the conditions are different from those of medium-quality drinking water in Table 2.

[0097] The water of A3 must meet the conditions of low-quality drinking water in Table 2 and must be within the EEC drinking standards, except when the conditions are different from those of low-quality drinking water in Table 2.

[0098] B1, B2, B3: For agricultural use Category B is for water that is not natural and not suitable for drinking (household) use but is suitable for agricultural use. B1 - Meets the medium-quality standards of Table 3 and the high-quality standards of Table 4. B2 - Meets all the medium-quality standards of Table 3 and Table 4. B3 - Meets all the low-quality standards of Table 3 and Table 4.

[0099] Similar to toxins in drinking water, water may be defined as suitable for agricultural use only if certain phytotoxins are within the limits listed in Table 2 of the attached FAO document Water Quality for Agriculture http: / / wwwXao.org / docrep / 003 / TO234E / T0234E01.htm#ch1.2 (incorporated herein by reference).

[0100] Alternatively, agricultural water may be classified according to its suitability for a given crop. For example, water suitable for all crops may be defined as B1, while water suitable for grains and trees but not for vegetables may be defined as B2, and water suitable only for trees may be defined as B3.

[0101] C1, C2, C3: Industrial Category C is for water that is not natural, not suitable for drinking (household) purposes, not suitable for agricultural purposes either, but suitable for industrial purposes. Sub-categories of Category C may be created. For example, C1 - meets all the high-quality standards of Table 5. C2 - meets all the medium-quality standards of Table 5. C3 - meets all the low-quality standards of Table 5.

[0102] Pricing From the above, various possible pricing systems can be created. For example, from Patent Document 1 for Shirazi, the price of water according to its use is as follows:

[0103] [Table 6]

[0104] Bottled = Bottled + Purification: Portion = Wb = 0.05 + 0.0005 = 0.0505; Price = Pb = (.05($1.75) + 0.0005($200)) / 0.0505 = $3.71 Household = Household + Exports + Desalination; Portion = Wd = 0.05 + 0.5 +.0995 = 0.6S; Price = Pd = (.05($0.92) + 0.5($0.77) + 0.0995($2.11)) / 0.65 = $0.99 Agricultural = Edible crops Portion = Wa = 0.2: Price = Pa = $0,040 Industrial = Biofuel Part = Wi = 0.1; Price = Pi = $0.022

[0105]

Table 7

[0106] In Table 6 above, “Part (W)” may be described as the market share of that category of water in the entire pure water market.

[0107] Let the price of water that is the basis for agricultural water be Pa = $0.04. Thereafter, the price is adjusted as follows. The three columns of Table 7a below represent various levels of compliance with specific water quality standards for water from a specific water source or for specific water being sold.

[0108] Water price determination:

[0109]

Table 8

[0110] For natural water of market quality (A1, A2, A3), a value of 1 / 3 of the value of purified water + 2 / 3 of the value of household water may be given. These assigned fractions (1 / 3 and 2 / 3, 1 / 4 and 3 / 4) are merely examples of fractions that may be selected to achieve a weighted combination, and other fractions (or non - fractional coefficients) may be used.

[0111] For natural water of market quality (B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3), a value of 1 / 4 of the value of purified water + 3 / 4 of the value of water for secondary use may be given. The selection of the fractional parts may vary, and this is an example of how to mathematically represent a weighted combination.

[0112]

Table 9

[0113] The calculated price is the price - determining factor × reference price (Pa = $0.04). Thus, the resulting target price is in dollars per 1 m 3 according to the data in Shirazi's Patent Document 1.

[0114]

Table 10

[0115]

Table 11

[0116] The water price index may take into account geographical priorities (i.e., natural A1 water in Iceland may be more valuable than A1 water in Brazil).

[0117] When formulating the final price of pure water, packaging infrastructure, distance from the market, and transport routes may also have to be taken into account. The costs of transport and storage are an important part of the overall price that the buyer pays. The price of pure water shown on a commodity exchange or used for financial commodities may or may not include the costs of storage and transport. Examples of packaging include transport containers, large plastic bags for holding pure water, and storage in situ (at the water source). Optionally, since a large part of the price of natural gas, like water, is for transport, the natural gas market may also be regarded as a model of these storage and transport factors.

[0118] (Example) Based on the above - mentioned water, a sufficient water supply in the city would be rated (for example) A2.

[0119] Ulvato's bottled water is of A1 class (natural), but does not meet household water standards (up to high TDS) or agricultural standards (down to low pH), and thus, f *= 0.3, and 0.3 * 1.88 = $0.57 / m 3 would be evaluated as such.

[0120] Water from Ulvato: 752 TD 5.8 ph factor 796 hardness 171 calcium 79 chloride 1 fluoride 574 hydrogen carbonate 28 magnesium 6.9 nitrate 8 potassium 11 silica 74 sodium 104 sulfate

[0121] The water from Santa Vittoria is natural and has received an A1 rating. It does not meet the high-quality domestic water standards of A2 (too high TDS carbonate and nitrate), but since it meets the A3 standards, f * = 1, and the price index is $1.88 / m3.

[0122] Santa Vittoria Analysis): Temperature of the water source: 47°F (8.3°C) 169 TD 8 pH factor 36.2 calcium 0.9 chloride 189.0 hydrogen carbonate 18.4 magnesium 2.5 nitrate 0.5 potassium 0.6 sodium

[0123] For example, Lake Placid in New York receives an A2 rating and thus has an index price of $0.90 / m 3 to obtain.

[0124] Price determination - Another possible system Other possible pricing methods can be created. For example, starting from the reference price of Patent Document 1 for Shirazi (Table 6), another way to calculate the price is to add a compatibility factor (f) to the price equation of Patent Document 1 for Shirazi. P = Fb * Pb * Wb + Fd * Pd * Wdb + Fa * Pa * Wa + Fi * Pi * Wi

[0125] For example, for any water and its uses, If the water is of high quality for its use, f = 1.0 If the water is of medium quality for its use, f = 0.8 If the water is of low quality for its use, f = 0.5 If the water is not suitable for its use, f = 0.25

[0126] Therefore, the price of water that is suitable for bottling (Fb = 1.0), highly suitable for household use (Fd = 1.0), sufficiently suitable for agricultural use (Fa = 1.0), and sufficiently suitable for industrial use (Fi = 1.0) may be calculated as a combination of the following elements: 1.0 * 0.05 * 3.71 + 1.0 * 0.65 * 0.99 + 1.0 * 0.2 * 0.4 + 1.0 * 0.1 * -0.0220 = 0.83

[0127] In another example, the price of water that is not suitable for bottling (Fb = 0.25), somewhat suitable for household use (Fd = 0.8), sufficiently suitable for agricultural use (Fa = 1.0), and sufficiently suitable for industrial use (Fi = 1.0) may be calculated by combining as follows: 0.25 * 0.05 * 3.71 + 0.8 * 0.65 * 0.99 + 1.0 * 0.2 * 0.4 + 1.0 * 0.1 * 0.022 = 0.57

[0128] In a third example, the price of water that is suitable for bottling (Fb = 1.0), not very suitable for household use (Fd = 0.5), not very suitable for agricultural use (Fa = 0.5), and sufficiently suitable for industrial use (Fi = 1.0) may be calculated as follows: 1.0 * 0.05 * 3.71 + 0.5 * 0.65 * 0.99 + 0.5 * 0.2 * 0.4 + 1.0 * 0.1 * 0.022 = 0.57.

[0129] In each of the three above-described embodiments, each of the four addends includes three multiplicands, namely, (1) the water compatibility factor for each water quality category, (2) the market share of the water quality category, and (3) the price index of the water of that water quality category.

[0130] Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the present invention may generally be characterized as a method (100) for investing in fresh water based on the quality of fresh water. The method (100) may include a step (110) of receiving, for example, using a processing device (e.g., a computer), the current updatable price of at least one non-water root commodity (all root commodities are other than water), wherein each of the at least one root commodity has at least one of (i) water as a component of said respective root commodity, and (ii) water used in the manufacture of said respective root commodity. The method (100) may further include an additional step of selecting at least one root commodity from a plurality of commodities (some of which are root commodities and some of which are not), including, for example, identifying commodities having water as a component, and / or commodities using water in their manufacture, and / or commodities having water as an output. The processing device may perform this additional step according to instructions or criteria. Alternatively, the processing device may perform this step by using or processing data stored in a memory storage device connected to the processing device.

[0131] Another step (120) of the method (100) may associate or match each of at least one water quality category among a plurality of water quality categories with at least one root product among a plurality of root products. The step of matching or associating may be such that the quality of water that (i) is used in the manufacture of the root product and / or (ii) is a component of the root product meets (or, in other preferred embodiments, is related to) the water quality standards of each water quality category. The water quality categories may be from among the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water. The water quality standards may be those promulgated by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States.

[0132] An example of the step of matching / associating is to select corn as the root product and match or associate the water that is a component of the corn and / or the water used in the manufacture of the corn with water quality categories B1, B2, or B3 (water suitable for agricultural use and conforming to specific standards in Tables 3 and 4). For example, it may be assumed that the water within the corn and / or the water used in the manufacture of the corn meets (or, in other preferred embodiments, is related to) the water quality standards B1 or B2 or B3. The step (120) may be performed by a processing device in some preferred embodiments.

[0133] Alternative versions of process (120) (or equivalent processes / elements of other methods / systems) may be possible. That is, the quality of water, which is (i) used in the manufacture of the root product and / or (ii) a component in the root product, is related to the water quality standards of each water quality category in some other way, such that each of at least one water quality category in at least one water quality category is associated with or matched to at least one root product. Instead of meeting the standard, by way of example, the water meets some part of the standard, or meets the minimum acceptable example of the standard, or is within 50% (or another percentage) of the standard. In any method or system of the present invention, instead of a water quality category, the association may be made between a water quality class (i.e., "A1") within a broad water quality category and at least one root product.

[0134] A further step (130) of method (100) includes, for each water quality category of at least one water quality category, determining, using a processing device, an updatable current indicator value of true water that meets the respective water quality category, the indicator value being determined based on the current price of the respective root product that matches the respective water quality category and on at least one of (i) the amount of true water as a component in the respective root product that matches the respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of true water used in the manufacture of the respective root product that matches the respective water quality category.

[0135] The method (100) may further include physically measuring the fresh water of at least one water source with respect to chemical or physical criteria of water, for example, measuring at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption rate, thereby determining the water quality category and / or water quality class of the fresh water from the water source. The results of the measurement may be compared in the form of ranges of respective items (for example, TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption rate) related to each water quality category and / or water quality class, as described in Table 1 to 5 above and in the proposed definitions of the water quality classes A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3 discussed above, in order to pre-set water quality standards. The water quality measurement may be performed using one or more water quality measurement devices (380), (680), (780) (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, 8). The update of the water quality of the water source may be performed by re-measuring the water source using a water measurement device at reasonable intervals. Typically, the water source may be re-measured and updated annually or, in some cases, at a higher or lower frequency with respect to the water quality category and water quality class.

[0136] The method (100) (or method (200) or method (800)) may have additional steps regarding the display. In some preferred embodiments as shown in FIG. 5B, the additional steps may include displaying on a display (330) connected to a computer the updatable current price of one or more root products and the updatable current price of fresh water of a specific (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class, and the current price of fresh water of a specific water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products. The arrows in FIG. 5B indicate that the price indicators being displayed move like a "ticker tape".

[0137] A numerically significant change (which may be considered an independent variable) in the current price of one or more root products may result in a visible change (which may be considered a dependent variable) in the current price of genuine water of a specific water quality. A "numerically significant" change in the price of the independent variable may be defined as a change sufficient to result in at least a one-digit change in the displayed price of the dependent variable.

[0138] In another preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A, the further step regarding the display may include displaying, on a first portion of a display connected to a computer (the computer used in step (120)), at least one (which may be updatable) of the current indicator values of genuine water, and some names or marks (i.e., "Water B3") that identify genuine water as a product and / or the category and / or class of genuine water whose updatable current indicator value is displayed in the first portion. In any method or system of the present invention, the mark may identify the category of genuine water by, for example, using other symbols known to the viewer of the display as identifying water or water of a specific quality category and / or class, and displaying the water of that category without even including terms such as "water" or "H2O" as part of the mark. The display may further display, on a second portion of the display, the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its updatable current indicator values has been calculated, and some names or marks that identify the root product (preferably each such root product) whose current price is displayed in the second portion. Thus, the independent variable, which is the current price of at least one root product, may be displayed in one portion of the display, and the dependent variable, which is the current price of at least one water quality category and / or class, may be displayed in a different portion of the display. This makes the dependence of the price of genuine water (and its quality) on the price of the root product more prominent.

[0139] It should be understood that the displays of FIGS. 5A and 5B are merely examples of how price / indicators are displayed. Further, in FIG. 5A, the first and second portions (331 and 332) of the display (330) are shown at one top and as a moving "tape". This is of course not limiting, and the first and second portions could also be in a static table format or other visible format.

[0140] FIG. 9 shows a computer (310) and a display device (330) connected to a processing device. The display device (330) displays side by side on the display device (a) in this example, the current updatable price of the first root product (maize) at a price of 139.2 (338), and (b) the first current updatable price (333) of pure water of a specific water quality category or class (Water B2 334) (100.2 in this example), and the stable price of the pure water is displayed, and the current updatable price of the pure water may be calculated based on the current updatable price of the first root product, and the first root product is a product other than water in any physical form. FIG. 9 shows side by side on the display device (a) the current updatable price of the second root product (wheat) at 748.8 (338), and (b) the second current updatable price (333) of pure water of a specific different water quality category or class (Water B1 334) (153.7 in this example), and the second current updatable price of the pure water is calculated based on the current updatable price of the second root product, and the second root product is a product other than water in any physical form. Note that maize and wheat are examples of "root products". Maize and wheat are further examples of products that contain water or in which water is used in their manufacture, and thus, the use of one preferred embodiment of the present invention may be utilized when calculating or determining the current updatable price of water of a specific water quality class or category.

[0141] Accordingly, the price of water may be based on the current renewable price of corn and / or wheat (at least one root commodity) or other root commodities, and on the physical amount of actual water and the relationship between (i) the physical amount of at least one actual root commodity and (ii) at least one of the production of the physical amount of at least one actual root commodity, where each root commodity of the at least one root commodity is generally stated to be a commodity other than water. For example, as described herein, the current renewable price of a particular class and / or category of water may be determined using a processing device by mathematically combining (i) the physical amount of actual water (i.e., the amount of water component in the actual amount of wheat) and the physical amount of at least one actual root commodity (e.g., wheat) in a physical relationship, and (ii) the physical amount of actual water, e.g., the amount of water used to produce a particular amount of actual wheat, and the produced physical amount of at least one actual root commodity (e.g., wheat) in a physical relationship, and the current renewable price of at least one root commodity (e.g., wheat) using one or more mathematical operations.

[0142] FIG. 9 shows a display that displays in a second portion of a display device (300) a composite current renewable price (333C) of true water (112.3) that can be calculated based on the current renewable prices of first and second root commodities (corn and wheat) and based on the respective market shares or market weights (respective market shares of corn and wheat) of the first and second root commodities. The display (330) may be connected to or communicate with a processing device (352) that is also a computer processing device, and may receive current renewable prices or other commands from the processing device (352) (e.g., of water, of root commodities).

[0143] In any method of the present invention (100, 200, 800, 300), when the "processing device" is described as acting during one step of the method, the term "processing device" is described as acting in a further step of the method, which means that in a particular preferred embodiment, the processing device acting in the further step is the same processing device as the processing device acting in the previously described step or in a particular other preferred embodiment, and the processing device acting in the further step is a different processing device from the processing device acting in the previously described step. As a result, the method refers to the "processing device" of a further step of the method as the same or a different processing device as the processing device of the previously described step.

[0144] In any method or system of the present invention, at least one of the updatable current indicator value, or the displayed updatable current indicator value, may be updated over time because the factors themselves used in determining the price are updated. For example, the displayed current price of one or more root products may vary or may be updated. In addition, if there are multiple root products, the market share of each of the various root products may change. In addition, the amount of water, which is a component in the root product, may change, and the amount of water used in the manufacture of the root product may change. However, these latter two factors do not change as frequently as the market share or the price. For any of the methods or systems of the present invention, the display, in particular the price and the indicator value on the display, may be generally accessible by appearing on a website or on a ticker tape being built, or by other methods known in the art for displaying product prices.

[0145] In some preferred embodiments, a further step of the method (100) may be to determine the price of potable water (i.e., water from a specific water source or a specific quantity of water sold) derived from a specific water source by measuring the current level of potable water suitability for each of a plurality of water quality categories and by weighting each respective indicator value combined by (i) the determined current level of suitability of priced potable water (i.e., water from a specific water source or a specific quantity of water sold) for each of the plurality of water quality categories and (ii) the market share of water from each water quality category, and then combining all of the current renewable indicator values of potable water for each water quality category.

[0146] An example of the use of the suitability level is provided as above using a suitability coefficient (f).

[0147] As shown in Figure 2, another method (200) of the present invention is similar to method (100), except that a matching or associating step (220) may be performed so that the quality of water, which is a component in each root product, meets (or is related in other preferred embodiments) the water quality standards of each water quality category. It should be understood that there is no limit to the number of root products used to derive the current price of potable water of a specific quality category and / or class in any method (or system) of the present invention.

[0148] Method (200) may include a further step of selecting at least one root product from a plurality of products (some of which are root products and some of which are not), such as products that include water as a component, and / or products that use water in their manufacture, and / or products that have water as an output. The processing device may perform this additional step according to instructions or criteria. Alternatively, the processing device may perform this step by using or processing data stored in a memory storage device connected to the processing device.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention may be described as a method (800) of using financial products to invest in fresh water based on water quality. The method (800) includes a step (810) of receiving, using a processing device such as a computer processing device, the amount of fresh water of a specific water quality category and the respective prices of financial products specified on their face values, where the price of each financial product may be determined using an updatable current indicator value of fresh water of a specific water quality category. The step (820) may include a step of storing water quality standards for a plurality of water quality categories in a data storage device such as a computer memory storage device or in the computer. The method (800) may have additional steps similar to those of the method (100) or (200) or (400) (or, in other embodiments, steps performed by the computer of the system (300) or (600)). For example, the method (800) includes a step (830) of receiving, using a processing device such as a computer processing device, the updatable current price of at least one root product, where the root product is other than water and each root product of the at least one root product has at least one of (i) water as a component in the respective root product and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the respective root product. The method (800) may include a further step of selecting at least one root product from a plurality of products including, for example, products containing water as a component, and / or products using water in their manufacture, and / or products having water as an output (some of which are root products and some of which are not root products). The processing device may perform this additional step according to instructions or criteria. Alternatively, the processing device may perform this step by using or processing data stored in a memory storage device connected to the processing device.

[0150] Process (840) may associate each water quality category of at least one water quality category with a root product of at least one root product. The associating or matching process may be such that the quality of water which is (i) a component in each root product, or (ii) used in the manufacture of each root product, meets (or is related to in other embodiments) the water quality standards of each water quality category. Process (850) may be a process of determining, using a computer processing device, an updatable current indicator value of genuine water that meets each respective water quality category for each water quality category of at least one water quality category, the indicator value being based on the current price of each respective root product associated with each respective water quality category and on at least one of (i) the amount of genuine water that is a component in each respective root product associated with each respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of genuine water used in the manufacture of each respective root product associated with each respective water quality category.

[0151] Method (800) may, in some preferred embodiments, include a step of displaying at least one updatable current indicator value of genuine water in a first portion of a display (such as display (330) shown in FIG. 5A) connected to a computer processing device, the display further displaying the price of at least one root product for which at least one of its updatable current indicator values has been calculated in a second portion of the display (or, in some embodiments, also in the first portion of the display), and the at least one updatable current indicator value and the price of the at least one root product being updated over time. In some preferred embodiments, a user viewing display (330) can recognize a change in the price index of at least one root product and a subsequent change in the price index of at least one water quality category or class within the water quality category as described above such that the change in the price index of at least one water quality category appears to be related to the change in the price index of at least one root product.

[0152] In any of the methods (100), (200), or (800), or the systems (300), (600), the water quality category may have criteria specifying at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or any other arbitrary number of ranges of the following: TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption rate.

[0153] As can be seen from the high-level block diagram of FIG. 6A, the system (300) of the present invention may include a computer processing device (352), and may include many computer memory devices such as a RAM (354), a boot ROM (356), and a mass storage device (358) such as a hard disk (358). The memory devices may communicate with the processing device (352) via a bus (66), and may communicate with each other via a common bus (366). The computer-readable program code (31) may be stored in a memory device such as the mass storage device (58), and may be accessed by the processing device (352) by being executed. The mass storage device (358) is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code for executing the described data storage methodology.

[0154] As can be seen in the high-level block diagram of FIG. 6B, the system (300B) of the present invention may include a computer (310) having a computer processing device (352) and multiple computer memory devices such as RAM (354), a boot ROM (356), a hard disk for large-capacity storage (358), and a flash memory device (364) known in the art. The memory devices may communicate with the processing device (352) via a bus (366) and may communicate with each other via a common bus (366). A software driver (360) of a memory device such as a flash memory device (64) may be stored in a mass storage device (358) and may be executed by the processing device (352) to access a memory device such as a flash memory device (364). The driver (360) may include a module (362) for encoding data to be stored in a memory device such as a flash memory device (364) and for decoding code words received from a memory device such as a flash memory device (364). Components of the system (300B) other than the flash memory device (364) may include a host (370) of the flash memory device (364), which may be the computer (310). The mass storage device (358) is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code 1 for executing the described data storage methodology.

[0155] The computer-readable program code (361) of FIG. 6A (or FIG. 6B) may be embedded in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and may be executed by the processing device (352). The program code (61) may include program code for executing any one of several processing functions described.

[0156] FIG. 6A schematically depicts a system (300). FIG. 6B schematically depicts a similar system (300B) that includes a flash memory device. Each system (300A), (300B) may be for buying and selling potable water based on water quality, and may include a computer (310) that may include a processing device (352), and may be connected to any or all of the multiple computer memory storage devices (i.e., 354, 356 (or flash memory drive (364)) in the case of system (300B) seen in FIG. 6B), and may have software (361) for operation of the computer (310). The computer (310) and / or program code (361) may include program code for receiving the current price of at least one or more root commodities, where the root commodities are other than water, and each root commodity of the multiple root commodities has at least one of (i) water as a component in the root commodity, and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the root commodity.

[0157] The computer (310) and / or program code (361) may include program code for storing water quality standards for at least one or more water quality categories.

[0158] The processing device (352) connected to the system (300) is connected to the computer (310) to perform the step of receiving the updatable current price of at least one root product and, for example, to identify root products that include products having water as a component and / or products that utilize water in their manufacture and / or products having water as an output. From a plurality of root products (some of which may be root products and some of which may not be root products), it may be programmable or may have program code (361) to perform an additional step of selecting at least one root product. The processing device may perform this additional step according to a command or a criterion. Alternatively, the processing device may perform this step by using or processing data stored in a memory storage device connected to the processing device.

[0159] The computer (310), or a processing device (352) connected to the computer (310), may be configured to process the association of each of at least one root product with at least one water quality category, and / or the program code (361) may include program code to process the association of each of at least one root product with at least one water quality category. The processing of the association may include the step of determining the association from the provided data and / or may include the association for further use. The computer (310) and / or the program code (361) may include (be coupled to or connected to) a memory storage device (i.e., 354, 356, 358) (and, in the case of system (300B), a flash memory storage device (364)) to store these associations of each of at least one root product with at least one water quality category. The association may be such that the quality of the water, which is either (i) the water used in the manufacture of the root product or (ii) the water as a component of the root product (or both), meets (or, in other embodiments, is related to) the water quality standards of each water quality category. If the determination of the association is not performed by the computer, the computer may simply store the association and apply it.

[0160] The computer (310), and / or the program code (361), may include program code to determine an updatable current index value of the true water of each water quality category based on the current price of each of the respective root products and on at least one of (i) the amount of true water that is a component in the root products associated with each of the respective water quality categories and (ii) the amount of true water used in the manufacture of the root products.

[0161] The system (300) comprises a water quality measurement device (380) for measuring the raw water of at least one water source (having raw water) with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium adsorption rate, thereby classifying the raw water of at least one water source according to a water quality category and / or classifying the raw water of at least one water source according to a water quality level within the water quality category of the raw water of at least one water source. The water quality measurement device (380) may include a device for measuring at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium adsorption rate. In a preferred embodiment, the water quality measurement device (380) (similarly (680) of the system (600)) may include two or more water measurement devices and / or may be configured to measure at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least most of, and preferably all of the above physical or chemical criteria (TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium chloride, nitrate, toxin, and SAR).

[0162] The computer (310) may be configured to receive data from the water quality measurement device or from a computer or other device storing such data and to compare the received data with stored water quality criteria to determine a water quality category and / or water quality level for the raw water.

[0163] The system (300) (similar to any of the other systems of the present invention such as system (300B, 600, 700)) may include financial products such as securities (106) (see, for example, Shirazi's '239 patent of FIG. 1), or bonds, shares, stocks, futures, etc. that describe on their face the quality of pure water (and / or index values or prices related to pure water of a specific quality category) (as shown, for example, in 340 of Shirazi's '239 patent of FIG. 1). The memory device of the system (300) may be for storing one or more updatable current index values for pure water of each water quality category.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 5A, the system (300) may include a display (330) connected to a computer (310). The display may display, in its first portion (331), at least one (333) of the current index values of fresh water that can be updated, and a name or mark (334) (i.e., "Water B3") that identifies the category of fresh water for which the current index value as water and / or the product as water and / or the current index value that can be updated is displayed in the first portion, thereby displaying independent variables. The display may display, in its second portion (332) (in some embodiments, its first portion), the current price (338) of at least one root product for which at least one of the current index values that can be updated has been calculated, and a name or mark (339) (i.e., "corn") that identifies the root product (preferably each such root product) for which the price that can be updated is displayed in the second portion, thereby displaying dependent variables. In some preferred embodiments, the user viewing the display (330) can view the change in the price index of at least one root product (which may be an independent variable), and then the change in the price index of at least one water quality category and / or water quality class (which may be a dependent variable) of fresh water (within the water quality category). The change in the price index of at least one water quality category may appear to be related to the change in the price index of at least one root product. As described above, a numerically significant change in the independent variable may result in a visible change in at least the first digit of the dependent variable. Although FIG. 5A shows the independent and dependent variables in different portions, in other preferred embodiments, the independent and dependent variables are displayed in the same portion of the display.

[0165] In some preferred embodiments of the display for system (300) (or for system (300B) or (600)), system (300, 300B, or 600) includes a display (330B) connected to a computer (as shown in FIG. 5B) for displaying the current price of one or more root products that can be updated, and the current price of genuine water for a specific (i) water quality category, (ii) water quality class, or (iii) water quality category and water quality class. The current price of genuine water for a specific water quality category depends on the current price of one or more root products. As shown in FIG. 5B, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the displayed price of at least one root product (338B) and the current price of genuine water (333B) are in the same part (332B) of the display (330B).

[0166] Another feature of the display (330) (or 330B) connected to the computer of system (300) or (600) is that the display is for displaying the current index value of genuine water that can be updated, and the category or mark identifying genuine water for each of the current index values displayed in the first part. The display further displays the current price of at least one root product for which at least one of its current index values that can be updated has been calculated, and the mark identifying each of at least one root product whose current price is displayed on the display.

[0167] At least one water quality category may include one, two, or three of the following categories: (i) a first water quality category of water that meets the minimum standards for drinking or domestic use, (ii) a second water quality category of water that does not meet the drinking water standards but meets the minimum standards for agricultural quality water, and (iii) a third water quality category of water that does not meet the agricultural quality water or drinking water standards but meets the minimum standards for industrial quality water. When the first water quality category is classified into two water quality categories, namely, for drinking and domestic use, the water quality category of the system (300) (and method (100) or method (200) or system (600)) may include at least one, at least two, three, or four of the four water quality categories (or, in addition to any subcategories called water quality classes, at least a plurality of, or a large number of, or some other specific number of categories). Further, water from an iceberg may be considered as a subcategory of drinking water for any method or system of the present invention.

[0168] The water quality standards used in the water quality category and / or class of any method or system of the present invention may specify a range of at least one of the water quality categories: TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio (or at least two, at least three, four, or five of the following physical and / or chemical criteria or scales, or some other plurality or majority or all). Examples of specific ranges are provided in Tables 1 - 5 of this specification. The water quality category of any method or system of the present invention may be a water quality category from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, and the water quality standards may be those published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States.

[0169] In some preferred embodiments, the computer (310) of the system (300) determines the current value of the fresh water suitability for at least one water quality category and / or class, or for each of at least two water quality categories (and / or classes), and then mathematically combines all of the updatable current indicator values of the fresh water for each water quality category (and / or class). For example, (i) the determined current value of the suitability of fresh water (i.e., water from a specific water source, or a specific amount of water being sold) that can be priced for each of at least one (or at least two, at least three, etc.) of the water quality categories, and (ii) by weighting each of the indicator values combined by the market share of the water from each water quality category (and / or water quality class) of at least one water quality category, the price of the fresh water (or a specific amount of water being sold) derived from a specific water source may be determined using the treatment device. The determination of the current value of the suitability may be updated regularly daily, weekly, monthly, annually, hourly, minute by minute, or at any other reasonable time interval. This determination of the current value of the suitability may be applied to the system (600).

[0170] A further embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 is a system (600) for exchanging fresh water based on water quality. The system (600) may include at least one computer (610) of at least one commodity exchange (608) that outputs the prices of various commodities, especially various commodities that are not water. At least one of these commodities may be a root commodity that includes water as a component, or uses fresh water in its manufacture, or both. Taking a simple example of a root commodity, corn contains water and uses water at the time of its settlement, so it may be a root commodity.

[0171] Instead of the commodity exchange, other sources of updatable current information regarding the prices of commodities connected to the computer may be used. An example of this is a website showing commodity prices connected to a server computer.

[0172] System (600) may also include a system computer (620) having hardware and software elements, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, for systems (300) and (300B). For example, system computer (620) may comprise a processing device (622), one or more memory storage devices (624) connected to processing device (622), and code for operating system computer (620). System computer (620) may be connected to at least one computer (610) of at least one commodity exchange (e.g., by a communication link) and configured to receive updatable price data for commodities from the computer (610). System computer (620) may be configured to identify and extract a root commodity from the updatable price data and the current price of the identified root commodity. Additionally, system computer (620) and / or processing device (622) may be configured or programmed as follows: (a) storing water quality standards for at least one, or at least two (or at least three, etc.) of the water quality categories and / or classes; (b) processing (i.e., determining and / or storing) the association of at least one identified root commodity with at least one of the water quality categories in at least one (or at least two, etc.) water quality categories such that the quality of the water used in the manufacture of the identified root commodity (and / or which is a component of the identified root commodity) meets (or, in some preferred embodiments, is related to) the water quality standards of each water quality category; (c) For each water quality category of at least one water quality category, calculating an updatable current indicator value of fresh water that meets the respective water quality category, the current indicator value being based on the current price of the respective identified root product associated with the respective water quality category, and (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the respective identified root product associated with the respective water quality category, and (ii) at least one of the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the respective identified root product associated with the respective water quality category. The processing device (622) may be programmed to calculate the current indicator value by referring to the market share of the sale of water in each water quality (and / or class) and / or by referring to the market share of various root products.

[0173] The system computer (620) may be configured to send the calculated updatable current indicator value of each water quality category to at least one computer (610). As shown by the arrows in FIG. 7, this may complete a data cycle that may include a first leg operating from at least one computer (610) to the system computer (620) and a return leg or second leg operating from the system computer (620) to at least one computer (610). The data cycle may include extracting price data of goods from the computer (610) and returning the price of water (e.g., a price based on water quality) from the system computer (620) to at least one computer (610).

[0174] The system (600) may also include a water quality measurement device (680) for measuring the raw water of at least one water source with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio, so as to classify the raw water of at least one water source from a water quality category and / or classify the raw water of at least one water source by a water quality level within the water quality category of the raw water of at least one water source. The system computer (620) may be configured to receive data from the water quality measurement device (680) or from a computer or other device that stores such data, and to compare the received data with stored water quality criteria to determine a water quality category and / or water quality level for the raw water.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 7, system (600) may include a display (630) connected to at least one computer (610) (e.g., of the type shown in FIG. 5A). "Association" may enable the supply and display of current prices updated in real time. The prices or indicators of the independent and dependent variables may be updated at monthly, weekly, daily, hourly, minute, second, or other reasonable intervals. The display (330) may have a first portion (331) and a second display portion (332). The display (330) may display at least one current indicator value of the true water of the water quality category and / or class of the first portion (331) of the display, which can be updated over time, and may display the price of at least one current indicator value of the true water calculated in the second portion (332) of the display of the identified root product, which can be updated over time. In one example shown in FIG. 5A, there is an adjacent movable area of the display, such as a "ticker tape" or scrolling electronic ticker, one showing the price and name of the root product, and one showing the price and name of the water product, i.e., the true water of a specific class or water quality category. The viewer may be able to observe both portions of the display (330), and when the price of the basic root product fluctuates, the associated or related water indicator, i.e., the price of the updatable current water indicator calculated from the root product as described above, changes as calculated by the coefficients, relationships, algorithms, calculations, functions, and / or methods described in this patent application.

[0176] Alternatively, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 7, the display (330) may be connected to the system computer (620) rather than to at least one computer (610), or may be connected to both (610 and 620).

[0177] As shown by FIG. 8, the present invention may be described as a system (700) for buying and selling pure water based on water quality. The system (700) may include a water quality measuring device (780) for measuring the pure water of at least one water source with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium adsorption rate. The system (700) may include a computer having components described with respect to system (300) (300B) (processing device, memory, etc.). As illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 8, the results or data verified by the device (780) may be transmitted to the computer (710) for storage and processing. Specifically, the computer (710) is configured to receive data from the water quality measuring device regarding pure water for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxin, and sodium adsorption rate, and to compare the received data with stored water quality criteria to determine a water quality category for the pure water.

[0178] The computer (710) is for determining the current price of at least one non - water root product (and may be provided with programming instructions of code), wherein each of the at least one root product has at least one of (i) water as a component of the root product, and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the root product, for processing the association of each of at least one water quality category with at least one root product, and, based on the current price of each of the respective root products and at least one of (i) the amount of pure water that is a component of the root product associated with each of the respective water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of pure water used in the manufacture of the root product, for determining an updatable current index value of the pure water of each of the at least one water quality categories.

[0179] In some embodiments of the system (700), the computer (710) is for determining a water quality class and for processing an association between each of at least one root product and at least one water quality class, and, based on the current price of each of said root products and on at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the root products associated with each of said water quality classes and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the manufacture of the root products, may be for determining the current index value of fresh water for each water quality class. The system (700) may include a display (730) connected to the computer (710), for example, a display (730) similar to the display shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, and may have the features described with respect to the display of the method and / or system of the present invention described above. For example, the display (730) may display both an independent variable (i.e., the updatable current price of at least one root product) and a dependent variable (the updatable current price of fresh water for a particular water quality category and / or water quality class). Fresh water, such that its price may include a dependent variable, may be at least a component of a root product such that its price may include an independent variable and / or may be used in the manufacture of such a root product.

[0180] In any of the systems or methods of the present invention, a processing device such as a computer may use one or more mathematical operations to mathematically combine coefficients such as the amount of pure water that is a component of the root product, the amount of pure water used in the manufacture of the root product, the price of the root product, the market share (market weight) of pure water in a specific water quality category and / or class in the entire market of pure water, a conformity coefficient, the basic price of water, an adjustment coefficient, the market share of one or more specific root products from the entire market of all related root products, the amount of pure water in a specific guarantee, the amount of pure water stated on the face of a financial product, or other such coefficients. Any of these coefficients may be regularly updated at reasonable intervals as needed, and if possible, in real time. The price of the root product may be updated in real time from, for example, a commodity exchange (see 608 in FIG. 7). Data for determining the market share and price of a product may be derived from published statistics, for example, information available on the Internet (for example, the statistics may be obtained from a website connected to a commodity trading market, a futures market, a stock exchange (for example, New York, Chicago, London, Tokyo)), and thus can be easily updated in real time. Alternatively, the statistics may be updated periodically from published statistics or statistics published by a government agency.

[0181] Any of the products mentioned in this specification may be publicly traded products.

[0182] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the present invention may be described as a method (400) of investing in fresh water based on the quality of fresh water. The method (400) includes, for example, a step (410) of receiving, using a processing device such as a computer processing device, the updatable current price of one or more (or two or more or three or more, etc.) root products, where the root products are other than water, and each of the at least one (or at least two, etc.) root products has at least one of (i) water as a component of the respective root product and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the respective root product. The method (400) may include an additional step of selecting at least one root product from a plurality of products (some of which may be root products and some of which may not be root products) including products having water as a component, and / or products using water in their manufacture, and / or products having water as an output. The processing device may perform this additional step according to instructions or criteria. Alternatively, the processing device may perform this step by using or processing data stored in a memory storage device connected to the processing device.

[0183] Process (420) may include a process of matching each of at least one water quality category and / or at least one water quality class of at least one water quality category and / or water quality class with at least one root product of at least one (or at least two, etc.) root products. Process (430) is a process of determining, for each water quality category (and / or class) of at least one water quality category, using a computer processing device, an updatable current indicator value of raw water that satisfies the respective water quality category, where the indicator value is based on the current price of the respective root product that matches the respective water quality category, and at least one of (i) the amount of raw water as a component in the respective root product that matches the respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of raw water used in the production of the respective root product that matches the respective water quality category. The computer processing device (similar to the processing devices of methods (100), (200), and (800)) included in method (400) may be the processing device (352) shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B with respect to systems (300A) and (300B).

[0184] A further step of method (400) may include using a processing device to determine an adjusted current indicator value adjusted by adjusting the price of natural water based on the suitability of natural water for two or three of (i) for beverage use, (ii) for agricultural use, and (iii) for industrial use, as shown in Tables 7a and 9a below. When the water is not natural water, the further step may include adjusting the price of the non-natural water using the processing device based on the suitability of the non-natural water for at least one (or at least two in other preferred embodiments) of (i) for beverage use, (ii) for agricultural use, and (iii) for industrial use, as shown in Tables 8b and 10b below, to determine the adjusted current indicator value.

[0185] Similar to other methods, in a method (400) of displaying on a first portion of a display (such as the display (330) shown in FIG. 5A) connected to a computer (such as the computer (310) shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B)) at least one adjusted current indicator value of fresh water, water as a component, and / or an indication (i.e., "Water B1") identifying the category of fresh water for which the adjusted current indicator value is displayed in the first portion, there may be additional steps. The display displays in its second portion the current price of at least one root product (i.e., "corn") for which at least one of its current indicator values has been calculated, and an indication identifying the root product (preferably each root product) for which the current price is displayed in the second portion. Further, the steps of the method (400) may be added to the steps (210) (or steps (210) and (220)) of the method (200) including financial products. In some other preferred embodiments of the method (400), the display may show an updatable current price of fresh water (a dependent variable) based on the quality and updatable current price (independent variable) of at least one root product in the same portion of the display.

[0186] The method (400) may further have an additional step of determining, using a processing device such as a computer processing device, the price of each of a plurality of financial products that specify a specific quantity of fresh water of a specific water quality category on the face value, and the price of each financial product is determined using the current indicator value of fresh water of one water quality category.

[0187] Similarly, the systems (300) and (600) may be modified such that the steps performed by the computer (310) and / or code (361) in the system (300) may correspond to any of the steps of the methods described herein.

[0188] Further, in any of the methods of the systems described herein, the price of water may be adjusted and may be the geographical location of the water source. The adjustment coefficient related to geography is stored in the computer (310).

[0189] Furthermore, it must be emphasized that either the above method or system may be modified to incorporate any of the elements or method steps described in Shirazi Patent No. 239 incorporated herein. Merely, by way of example, the system may include a collateral configured to function as collateral for a financial product described herein. The collateral may be a large quantity of fresh water owned by a local government body, and the collateral may be, for example, fresh water from a lake. Alternatively, the collateral may be a large quantity of fresh water stored somewhere after being removed from a water source. Or, the collateral may be water or ice from an iceberg or from a part of an iceberg. In addition, a broker may be involved in using any of the standardized price indices described herein. In some embodiments, the current price of fresh water of a particular water quality category and / or class may be stored in a broker's desktop or other computer memory and may be calculated by a computer processing device.

[0190] The present invention may be described as a system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, the system receiving an updatable current price of at least one root product other than water, each root product of the at least one root product having at least one of (i) water as a component and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root product, storing water quality standards published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States for at least two water quality categories from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, processing an association of each of at least one water quality category with a financial product that specifies on its face a specific quantity of fresh water that meets the water quality standards of each water quality category, the price of the financial product being based on a specific quantity of fresh water and the current index value of fresh water of a specific water quality category, and determining an updatable current index value of fresh water for each water quality category based on the current price of said respective root product and at least one of (i) the quantity of fresh water that is a component in the root product associated with said respective water quality category and (ii) the quantity of fresh water used in the production of the root product, and including a computer therefor.

[0191] The system may further comprise a display connected to the computer for displaying the updatable current price of one or more root products and the updatable current price of fresh water of a specific (i) water quality category and / or (ii) water quality class such that the updatable current price of fresh water of a specific water quality depends on the current price of one or more root products.

[0192] The present invention may be described as a system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, the system receiving updated current prices of at least one root product other than water, each root product of the at least one root product having at least one of (i) water as a component and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root product, storing water quality standards published by at least one of EEC, WHO, or the United States for at least two water quality categories from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, and determining an updated current indicative value of fresh water for each water quality category based on the current price of said respective root product and at least one of (i) the amount of fresh water that is a component in the root product associated with said respective water quality category and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the production of the root product, a computer for this purpose, and financial products, each financial product specifying on its face a specific amount of fresh water that meets the water quality standards for each water quality category from the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, and the price of the financial product being based on the specific amount of fresh water and the current indicative value of fresh water for the specific water quality category. The system may be such that each financial product specifies on its face a specific amount of fresh water that meets the water quality standards for each water quality category from the following water quality categories: domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water. Each financial product may specify on its face a specific amount of fresh water that meets the water quality standards for each water quality category from the following water quality categories: domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water.

[0193] The present invention may be described as a system, for example, used by a commodity exchange when buying and selling water based on water quality. The system is a financial commodity, and each of the financial commodities specifies a specific quantity of pure water on its face value. The price of each financial commodity is determined using the current renewable price of pure water and the specific quantity of pure water. A processing device configured to receive the current renewable price of water, wherein the renewable current price of water is determined from (A) the current renewable price of at least one root commodity, (B) the actual physical quantity of water, and the physical relationship between (i) the actual physical quantity of at least one root commodity and (ii) the production of the actual physical quantity of at least one root commodity. The renewable current price of water is determined by using one or more mathematical operations to mathematically combine the current renewable price of at least one root commodity with (i) the actual physical quantity of at least one root commodity in a physical relationship with the actual physical quantity of water and (ii) at least one of the produced physical quantities of the actual physical quantity of at least one root commodity in a physical relationship with the actual physical quantity of water. And (c) a display for displaying the current renewable price of pure water in order to effect the buying and selling of pure water using the financial commodity, wherein each root commodity of the at least one root commodity is a commodity other than water.

[0194] In either the method or system of the present invention, the reference to water quality standards published by at least one of the EEC, WHO, or the United States is merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention. Various other preferred embodiments may include water quality standards specifically published by the EEC, preferred embodiments in which the water quality standards are specifically published by WHO, water quality standards specifically published by the United States (meaning a part of the US government), or preferred embodiments in which the standards are published by another well-known organization that publishes water quality standards.

[0195] The following is an incorporation of the text of paragraph 24 of Shirazi's Patent 239, which can be used in the method, apparatus, and system of the present invention. References to figure numbers are to the figures of Shirazi's Patent 239, and the reference numbers mentioned therein are to the elements / items described in the drawings of Shirazi's Patent 239.

[0196] "The intermediary (120) issues a security (106) of the water of the guarantee (101) (alternatively, another financial product, such as a debt, stock, share, or futures, can be used), and sells the security (106) according to the index value (104). In the example of Figure 1 (Shirazi's Patent 239), since the index value (104) is $1.07 / m 3 the intermediary (120) sells the security (106) for 1000 m 3 at $1070 + a 2% commission. The investor (108) (the person who purchased the security (106)) may redeem the security (106) by requiring the local government (102) to deliver 1000 m 3 of water (the investor (108) bears the transportation and handling costs), or the investor (108) may not release the security (106) if predicting that the index value (104) will increase. Then, the investor (108) sells the security (106) to another investor (possibly through the intermediary (10)) and recovers the profit (minus any intermediary commission).

[0197] Figure 2 (of Shirazi's Patent 239) is a generalized flowchart of the method of selling a product. The intermediary seeks capitalized resources. For example, there is a large amount of water available worldwide, and while there is a need for water, there may not be sufficient capital to develop and protect this resource. Therefore, the intermediary decides to sell real water (block 211). The intermediary must claim the right to real water that can be obtained as collateral (box 213). In the example of Figure 2 (Shirazi's Patent 239), the intermediary knows that there are many natural lakes in Brazil that boast a large amount of available water. Subsequently, it is necessary to define the scope of evaluation (box 215). For example, it is possible to evaluate water according to the value of water in Mexico or the Midwestern United States (where water is scarce and water can be easily transported from the Amazon), or alternatively, it is also possible to evaluate water according to the world market price of water. The intermediary decides to index real water according to its international value (viewed globally). In particular, the intermediary first establishes the main products of water in the world market (block 217), determines the weight for each product (block 221), checks the price of each product (block 220), calculates the physical value according to each product (box 221), and calculates the physical index value based on the composite price of various products weighted by the weight coefficient respectively (box 222). An example of establishing products (box 217), determining weights (box 219), checking prices (box 220), calculating values (box 221), and calculating index values (box 222) is illustrated in Figure 3 and the attached description of (Shirazi's Patent 239).

[0198] The intermediary then divides the collateral into multiple parts (e.g., shares of 1000m 3 of water. The collateral may be sold using shares or another financial product known in the art) (box 223) and determines the market value of each share according to the index value and the collateral conditions (e.g., the price of the share may take into account the quality of the water in the lake, or the location and availability of the water) (box 225). For example, the index value is 1.07 usd / m 3 and the lake share is 1000m 3If it includes, the market value of the stock may be 1070 usd. The intermediary obtains the right to sell the collateral (Box 227). For example, the intermediary obtains the right to the collateral by entering into a futures contract or a supply contract with the local government body that owns the lake (Box 227). Then, the intermediary sells the stock collateral to the investor at the market price plus the commission (Box 229).

[0199] The indicator value is updated from time to time. In particular, the algorithm checks whether it is time to update the status of the collateral (Box 235) (for example, this update may be done annually, or monthly, or always when the indicator needs to be expanded or adjusted), and if "yes", a professional appraiser appraises the collateral regarding the quantity, quality, and availability of the water (Box 236), the value of the collateral is adjusted (Box 237), then any new required collateral is sought (Box 213), and the stock certificates are adjusted (Box 239) to ensure that each security is covered by valid assets and whether new required collateral can be found. If it is not time to adjust the collateral ( "no" in Box 235), the algorithm checks whether it is time to update the weights (Box 233) (Wx and Wxj [see lines 362 and 363a - f of Figure 3 in the 239 patent of Shirazi] respectively) (for example, this may be updated monthly or daily). If "yes", the weights are determined according to the regular reports of the international trade institutions on the trading volumes of various commodities around the world (Box 219). If "no", the algorithm checks whether it is time to update the product price (Box 231) (see lines 364a - f of Figure 3 for example). If "yes", the price of the product is confirmed (Box 220). The price of the product may be updated daily, hourly, or in real - time according to the prices of the commodities available on the Internet or from other sources. If "no", the transaction continues (for example, selling the right to sell the collateral 229).

[0200] Figure 3 of Patent 239 of Shirazi shows the results of calculations that are examples of the weight of a product and the value of a commodity. In the example of Figure 3 of Patent 239 of Shirazi, eight products (water products) are selected (211). For each water product (A, Q, U, H, I, E, T, and B: exports, household, desalination, bottled, refined, food crops, and biofuel), the product weight Wx (line 362) is a part of the water market represented by that product. Then, for each product, one or more representative cases are selected. For each representative case, the weight Wx of one case (lines 363a-f) is determined and one case value (lines 364a-f) is confirmed respectively.

[0201] In the example of Figure 3 of Patent 239 of Shirazi, the intermediary determines 219 by examining transaction data. In the selected range, 5% of the water transactions are for export (Wa = 0.05), 50% are for domestic consumption (Wq = 0.5), 9.95% are from desalination (Wu = 0.0995), 0.05% are for bottling (Wh = 0.0005), 5% are refined (Wi = 0.05), 20% are included as virtual water in food crops (Wt = 0.2), and 10% are included as virtual water for the production of biofuel (Wb = 0.1). Thus, in this example, the index price of water (369) depends partially (W t +W b = 30%) on the virtual price of water.

[0202] Alternatively, the calculation of the index value may include virtual water used in manufactured products such as paper (where water is used to suspend wood colloids and for cleaning in the finishing process).

[0203] Regarding the agricultural sector, water is used in the production of agricultural products such as orange juice and corn. However, 1) much of the irrigation water is directly obtained from natural sources (private wells / rivers / rain), and 2) since irrigation water is not highly regulated and no subsidies are provided, it is difficult to include irrigation water in the indicator calculation. Virtual water refers to the amount of water utilized in a product but is not an actual part of the product. To produce 1 kg of cereal, 700 - 3500 liters of crop water are used. Therefore, buying agricultural products essentially involves purchasing water. By including the virtual price of water in agricultural products, intermediaries can determine the price of water that depends on market forces with little government influence on price determination. This enables intermediaries to establish an indicator value of water (369) based on a stable market.

[0204] The world market weight coefficients W are determined for each product (219). More specifically, in the example of FIG. 3 (Patent 239 of Shirazi), the world market weight coefficients Wa, Wq, Wu, Wh, Wi, Wt, and Wb (line 262) (in the example of FIG. 3 (Patent 239 of Shirazi), the market weights are export, domestic, desalination, bottling, refining, food crops, and biofuel, respectively) are calculated based on a fixed algorithm using available statistics.

[0205] In the embodiment of FIG. 3 (Patent 239 of Shirazi), Wt 1 , Wt 2 , Wt 3 (line 263e) (the weight of the virtual water case in each food crop) should be noted that it is not based on the amount of water physically contained in the commodity (the amount of water that is a component of the product) nor on the amount of water used to produce the product. Therefore, for example, a particular market includes the trading of food crops containing 1300 m 3 of water. In that trade, there are 500,000 Kg of wheat (60% of wheat is water and the density of water is 1000 Kg / m 3 , so 500,000 Kg of wheat is 500 * 0.6 = 300 m 3contains water). Then, Wt 3 =(500 * 0.6) / 1300 = 0.23. Similarly, the total water in all water markets (the total water traded in all of the selected water products) is 6500 m 3 and the total amount of water contained in the traded food crops is 1300 m 3 . Therefore, the market weight of the virtual water of agriculture in the water indicator value is a part of all water markets for food crops. Wt = 1300 / 6500 = 0.2.

[0206] In the example of Figure 3 (the 239 Shirazi patent), the virtual value of water in food crops (365a) is calculated as follows.

[0207] The price of corn, a commodity in New York, is 400 usd / ton, and corn contains 75% water and uses 1500 m 3 of irrigation water per ton. t1 = 400 * 0.75 / 1500 = 0.2 usd / m 3 is the virtual value of water in corn.

[0208] The price of coffee, a commodity in New York, is 950 usd / ton, and coffee is 55% water and uses 3500 m 3 of irrigation water per ton. Therefore, t2 = 950 * 0.55 / 3500 = 0.15 usd / m 3 is the virtual value of water in coffee.

[0209] The price of wheat, a commodity in New York, is 500 usd / ton, and wheat contains 60% water and uses 1000 m 3 of irrigation water per ton, and t3 = 500 * 0.6 / 1000 = 0.3 usd / m 3 is the virtual value of water in wheat.

[0210] By considering the weight of each commodity case (line 363e) from the total agricultural products traded, the virtual value of water in food crops is obtained, which is the T price T = Wt 1 *t 1 +Wt 2 *t 2 +Wt 3 *t 3 =0.27*$0.2 + 0.5*$0.15 + 0.23*$0.3 = 0.20 usd / m 3 (365a). Therefore, the virtual price T of water in agro-food depends on the market weight of each agro-food, the market price of the agro-food, and the amount of water used in manufacturing.

[0211] By including the virtual value of water in the indicator formula, the intermediary calculates a representative integrated value of water, including uncontrolled trading of water in other commodities (products).

[0212] Furthermore, in the example of Figure 3 (Patent 239 of Shirazi), for the desalinated water product U, in the selected evaluation range (world water trade), it can be seen that 647 m, which is 9.95% of the total water trade, is desalinated water. 3 20% of the world's desalinated water is used in industrial cities (Wu 1 = 0.20), and the selected representative case is Perth, Australia, which produces desalinated water at a manufacturing cost of u 1 = 0.80 usd / m 2 50% of the world's desalinated water use is for resorts and islands (Wu 2 = 0.50), and the selected representative case is Bermuda, which produces desalinated water at a price of u 2 = 1.50 usd / m 3 30% of the world's desalinated water use is in oil-exporting countries (Wu 3 = 0.30), and the selected representative case is Saudi Arabia, which produces desalinated water at a price of u 3 = 4.00 usd / m 3 The weights are updated monthly, while the representative prices are updated weekly. Therefore, desalinated water U = Wu 1 *U 1 +Wu 2*u 2 +Wu 3 *u 3 =0.2*$0.80 + 0.5*$1.50 + 0.3*$4.00 = 2.11 usd / m 3 (368).

[0213] The virtual water contained in biofuels is another part of water trading. In the example of Figure 3 (Shirazi's Patent No. 239), the combined market weight of three biofuels is 10% of the total water trading (Wb = 0.1).

[0214] Many fuels such as biodiesel (produced from waste oil or oil plants, especially algae), biomethane (produced by anaerobic digestion of organic waste), and ethanol (produced from fermentation of cell waste or grains) contain little water. Therefore, the moisture content of the fuel is not used to calculate the weight coefficient Wb. Two examples of alternative bases for Wb are the total mass / volume of biofuels or the amount of water output from the combustion of biofuels. For liquid fuels (such as biodiesel and ethanol), the total volume or mass of biofuels can be used to calculate the weight coefficient Wb. Alternatively, for any biofuel, especially for gases (such as methane) whose volume and weight are not comparable to the moisture content or total volume of liquid fuels, the mass of water output in the combustion products may be used to calculate Wb (alternatively, for biofuels, Wb can be obtained based on the energy output from the combustion of the fuel or other combustion products or components of the fuel [such as carbon] multiplied by a proportionality constant). Therefore, the total biofuel market is 650 m 3 including this, which is treated as 10% of the total water trading (6500 m 3 ). The volume of ethanol sold is 390 m 3 (Wb1 = 390 / 650 = 0.6), and the volume of biodiesel sold is 260 m 3It is (Wb2 = 195 / 650 = 0.3). In the example of Figure 3 (Shirazi's Patent No. 239), the amount of water in the biogas market (based on the weighting factor Wb3) is calculated based on the output of methane combustion. By using the combustion output to calculate Wb, it becomes easier to compare various biofuels with very different densities (alternatively, for comparison, other bases such as energy production or carbon components may be used). In particular, in the example of Figure 3 (Shirazi's Patent No. 239), there is a transaction of 38,800 m 3 of biogas in the market. Methane has a density of 0.67 kg / m 3 at room temperature, and burning 1 Kg of biogas produces about 2.5 Kg of water. Therefore, burning 38,800 m 3 of methane produces 38,800 * 0.67 * 2.5 / 1000 = 65 m 3 of water. Therefore, Wb 3 = 65 / 650 = 0.1.

[0215] The virtual price of water in biofuels is based on the water input into fuel production. To produce 1 ton of ethanol from corn, 3600 m 3 of water is used, and since the price of ethanol is $800 / ton, the virtual value of water in ethanol is b 1 = $800 / 3600 = 0.22 usd / m 3 . For a similar calculation for biodiesel (where water is required to maintain the algae pond), a virtual water value of b2 = 0.15 usd / m 3 is obtained. In the example of Figure 3 (Shirazi's Patent No. 239), the virtual value of water in biogas is based on the amount of water used in production. The cost of methane is 3.00 usd / m 3 , and 7.0 m 3 of water is used to produce 1 m 3 of biogas (to keep the digester running), so the virtual value of water in biogas is b 3 = 3.0 / 7.0 = 0.43 usd / m 3Therefore, the total virtual value of water in biofuel B depends on the market weight of each product (the total mass of water output during fuel combustion) and the amount of water used in fuel production (B = Wb 1 *b 1 +Wb 2 *b 2 +Wb 3 *b 3 =0.6*$0.22 + 0.3*$0.15 + 0.1*$0.43 = 0.22 usd / m 3 (365b).

[0216] Alternatively, the CO emissions during biofuel combustion 2 or the amount of carbon components in biofuel can be used as a common basis for calculating all weight coefficients of biofuel.

[0217] Once the weights of each product and the value of water in each product and product classification are calculated, the total value is obtained by multiplying each weight by the price. In the example of Figure 3 (Shirazi's Patent No. 239), Wa*A + Wq*Q + Wu*U + Wh*H + Wi*I + Wt*T + Wb*B = 0.05*0.92 + 0.5*0.77 + 0.0995*2.11 + 0.0005*200 + 0.05*1.75 + 0.2*0.198 + 0.1*0.22 = 0.89 usd / m 3 (366). This price is adjusted by adding the transportation cost N = 0.01 usd / m 3 (e.g., the average cost of shipping water from a water source to a vendor) and the export charge cost (D = 0.03 usd / m 3 )(e.g., the average export charge cost paid by other water importers for receiving water from other local governments), and the recycling rate E = -0.015 usd / m 3 ([by infiltrating into groundwater / by flowing into a river / by artificial water reuse]) considering the fact that some of the wastewater re-enters the distribution mechanism), and is adjusted to 0.91 usd / m 3An adjusted price can be obtained (367). Finally, the final price is obtained by multiplying the adjusted price by the supply and demand coefficient Z = 1.12 (when there are many sellers and few buyers of water securities, the price is adjusted upward, and vice versa when the sellers outnumber the buyers) and the waste coefficient (1.05) that takes into account the increase in price for consumers due to the shortage of water between resources and consumers. Therefore, the water index value in the example of Figure 3 (Shirazi's Patent No. 239) is 1.07 usd / m 3 (369).

[0218] (By using the index value (369) in Figure 3 of the above (Shirazi's Patent No. 239), the company can obtain a security or a water purchase contract for the value of water at the index value. The company circulates a contract in the form of water basket shares based on the water index value. The company can conclude a contract with a financial institution or an investment enterprise, circulate water basket shares to clients, and obtain a negotiable fee and margin from the transaction.)

[0219] Alternatively, the virtual value of a substance can be calculated because it is based on the cost of a commodity (for that commodity, there exists a product of that substance which is a substitute for the commodity). For example, the virtual price of water can be calculated from the price of gasoline. Since ethanol is a substitute for gasoline and most of the cost of ethanol production is water, it is possible to calculate the virtual price of water based on the price of gasoline. For example, if the price of gasoline is $700 / ton and ethanol is a substitute for gasoline and 1 ton of ethanol can be produced from corn that uses 3600 m 3 of water for growth, the virtual value of water based on the price of gasoline is $700 / 3600 = B = 0.19 usd / m 3 is obtained.

[0220] Figure 4 (Shirazi Patent 239) is a flowchart illustrating a method of investment. An investor first selects a product to invest in (e.g., pure water) (box 470), and then finds a broker who sells stocks or other financial products (e.g., bonds, securities, futures, stocks, baskets) of that product (box 472). Thereafter, the investor uses the index value for the product calculated by the broker (e.g., the index value (369) as described in Figure 3 (Shirazi Patent 239) and the attached description) (box 474). According to the calculated index value, the investor decides whether to invest (box 476). If "yes", the investor buys stocks from the broker (box 478). If "no", the investor selects another product to invest in (box 470).

[0221] The present invention often refers to a processing device as a computer processing device, but it should be noted that the systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can be executed well enough using a processing device that is not within the definition of a computer processing device. In that regard, the term "processing device" is broad in scope as understood in the art and may include hardware and / or firmware, chips, microchips, microprocessors, and / or CPUs, and may be operably connected to software or a program or instructions or a process or an application that calculates and / or executes the operations or functions shown by the system or method or device of the present invention. The processing device may be executed in a wide range of digital devices such as electrical products, preferably computers or telecommunications devices. The term "processing device" is in the singular but is understood to include both one or multiple processing devices. For example, a processing device connected to a commodity exchange or a display may include a processing device built into an electrical product such as a computer or a telecommunications device connected to the commodity exchange or the display.

[0222] Although the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it is contemplated that many improvements, modifications, and other applications of the invention may be made. Accordingly, the invention as claimed in the claims detailed below is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. 1. A method of investing in fresh water based on fresh water quality, comprising: (a) receiving, with a processor, an updatable current price of at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component therein; and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the respective root commodity; (b) matching each of the at least one root commodity with at least one water quality category such that the quality of water used in the production of each root commodity meets the water quality standards of each of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the water quality standards being promulgated by at least one of the EEC, the WHO, or the United States; and (c) determining, for each of at least one water quality category, an updatable current index value of fresh water satisfying the respective water quality category using a processing device, the index value being determined based on a current price of the respective root commodity matched to the respective water quality category and based on at least one of: (i) the amount of fresh water as a component in the respective root commodity matched to the respective water quality category; and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the production of the respective root commodity matched to the respective water quality category.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising measuring at least one water source having fresh water for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption, thereby classifying the fresh water of the at least one water source by one or more of (i) water quality categories and (ii) water quality classes.

3. a display connected to the computer displaying, among other things, updatable current prices of one or more root commodities; (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes and displaying an updatable current price of fresh water of a particular water quality, wherein the current price of fresh water of a particular water quality depends on the current prices of one or more root commodities.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying, on a first portion of a display connected to the computer, one or more current index values ​​for fresh water and indicia identifying either water or a category of fresh water whose current price is displayed on the first portion, the display further displaying, on a second portion thereof, a current price of at least one root commodity for which at least one of the current index values ​​is calculated, and indicia identifying the at least one root commodity whose current price is displayed on the second portion.

5. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising updating at least one of the displayed current index values ​​over time and making them available to the public; and updating at least one of the displayed current prices of the root commodity over time and making them available to the public.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: determining, using a processing device, a price for fresh water from a particular water source by determining a current value of suitability of fresh water from a particular water source for each of a plurality of water quality categories; and combining the current index values ​​of fresh water for each water quality category by weighting each combined index value by (i) the determined current value of suitability of fresh water from a particular water source for each of a plurality of water quality categories and (ii) a market share of water from each water quality category.

7. 1. A method of investing in fresh water based on fresh water quality, comprising: (a) receiving, with a processor, an updatable current price of at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component therein; and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the respective root commodity; (b) matching each of the at least one water quality categories to each of the at least one root commodity such that the quality of the constituent water in each root commodity meets the water quality standards promulgated by at least one of the EEC, WHO, or the United States from among the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water; and (c) determining, for each of at least one water quality category, an updatable current index value of fresh water satisfying the respective water quality category using a processing device, the index value being determined based on a current price of the respective root commodity matched to the respective water quality category and based on at least one of: (i) the amount of fresh water as a component in the respective root commodity matched to the respective water quality category; and (ii) the amount of fresh water used in the production of the respective root commodity matched to the respective water quality category.

8. a display connected to the computer displaying, among other things, updatable current prices of one or more root commodities; (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes and displaying an updatable current price of fresh water of a particular water quality, wherein the current price of fresh water of a particular water quality depends on the current price of one or more root commodities.

9. 8. The method of claim 7, including displaying on a first portion of a display connected to the computer one or more of the current index values ​​for fresh water and indicia identifying either water or a category of fresh water whose current price is displayed on the first portion, the display further displaying on a second portion thereof a current price of at least one root commodity for which at least one of the current index values ​​is calculated and indicia identifying the at least one root commodity whose current price is displayed on the second portion.

10. 1. A method of using a financial instrument to invest in fresh water based on water quality, comprising: determining, using a processing device, a price for each of the financial instruments that specify on its face a particular amount of fresh water of a particular water quality category, the price for each of the financial instruments being determined using an index value for fresh water of the particular water quality category; storing water quality criteria for at least one water quality category in a computer; receiving, with a processor, an updatable current price of at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component therein; and (ii) water used in the production of each root commodity; associating at least one water quality category with the at least one root commodity such that the quality of water (i) that is a component in each root commodity or (ii) that is used in the manufacture of each root commodity meets the water quality standards of each of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the water quality standards being promulgated by at least one of the EEC, the WHO, or the United States; determining, for each of at least one water quality category, an updatable current index value of fresh water satisfying said respective water quality category using a processing device, the index value being determined based on a current price of said respective root commodity associated with said respective water quality category, and based on at least one of (i) a quantity of fresh water that is a component in said respective root commodity associated with said respective water quality category, and (ii) a quantity of fresh water used in the production of said respective root commodity associated with said respective water quality category; A method comprising:

11. A computer-connected display shows up-to-date current prices for one or more root instruments, as well as specific (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: displaying an updatable current price of fresh water of a particular water quality, the current price of fresh water being dependent on the current price of one or more root commodities.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, including displaying at least one updateable current index value of fresh water on a first portion of a display connected to the computer, the display further displaying on a second portion a price of the at least one root commodity for which the at least one index value is calculated, the at least one index value and the price of the at least one root commodity each being updated over time.

13. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising water quality categories with criteria specifying ranges for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising water quality categories having standards specifying ranges for TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption.

15. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising using a specific amount of fresh water as fresh water amount collateral on each face of the financial instrument.

16. A system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, comprising: The system comprises: receiving an updatable current price for at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component; and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root commodity; Preserving water quality standards for at least one water quality category; Processing at least one association of at least one water quality category with at least one root commodity such that the quality of water used in the production of the root commodity meets the water quality standards of each of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the water quality standards being promulgated by at least one of the EEC, WHO, or United States; and determining an updatable current index value for each freshwater of the water quality categories based on a current price of each of the root commodities and based on at least one of (i) the amount of freshwater as a component in the root commodity associated with each of the water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of freshwater used in the production of the root commodity; A system including a computer for:

17. Updateable current prices of one or more root commodities and a specific price for fresh water of a particular quality that depends on the current prices of one or more root commodities. (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes; 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a display connected to the computer for displaying the current, updatable price of fresh water.

18. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a display coupled to the computer for displaying one or more of the updatable current index values ​​of fresh water and indicia identifying a category of water and a fresh water category for each one of the current index values ​​displayed in the first portion, the display further displaying a current price of the at least one root commodity for which at least one of the updatable current index values ​​is calculated and indicia identifying each of the at least one root commodity for which the current price is displayed on the display.

19. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a display connected to the computer for displaying in a first portion thereof one or more of the current index values ​​of fresh water and indicia identifying a category of water or fresh water for each one of the current index values ​​displayed in the first portion, the display displaying in a second portion thereof a current price of at least one root commodity for which at least one of the current index values ​​is calculated and indicia identifying the at least one root commodity whose current price is displayed in the second portion.

20. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one water quality category from: (i) a first water quality category of water that meets minimum standards for drinking or domestic use; (ii) a second water quality category of water that does not meet standards for drinking water but meets minimum standards for agricultural quality water; and (iii) a third water quality category that does not meet standards for agricultural quality water and drinking water but meets minimum standards for industrial quality water.

21. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the water quality standards specify ranges for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption.

22. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a water quality measurement device for measuring fresh water from at least one water source having fresh water for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption ratio to classify the fresh water of the at least one water source by water quality category.

23. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a computer for determining a price of fresh water coming from a particular water source by determining a current value of suitability of fresh water coming from each of the at least one water quality category and by combining (i) the determined current value of suitability of fresh water from each of the at least one water quality category and (ii) the current index value of fresh water of each water quality category by weighting each combined index value by the market share of water from each of the at least one water quality category.

24. A system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, comprising: The system comprises: receiving an updatable current price of at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component in the root commodity; and (ii) water used in the production of the root commodity; Preserving water quality standards for at least one water quality category; determining and storing associations between at least one root commodity and at least one water quality category each, such that the quality of the constituent water in each root commodity meets the water quality standards of each water quality category from among the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the water quality standards being promulgated by at least one of the EEC, the WHO, or the United States; determining an updatable current index value for each freshwater of the water quality categories based on a current price of each of the root commodities and based on at least one of (i) the amount of freshwater that is a component in the root commodity associated with each of the water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of freshwater used in the production of the root commodity; A system including a computer for:

25. The current price of one or more root commodities may be updated such that the current price of fresh water of a particular quality depends on the current price of one or more root commodities. (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes; 25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a display connected to the computer for displaying the current, updatable price of fresh water.

26. 25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a display coupled to the computer for displaying one or more of the updatable current index values ​​of fresh water and indicia identifying a category of water or fresh water for each one of the updatable current index values ​​displayed in the first portion, the display further displaying a current price of at least one root commodity for which at least one of the updatable current index values ​​is calculated and indicia identifying each of the at least one root commodity whose current price is displayed on the display.

27. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the water quality standards specify ranges for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption.

28. 1. A system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, comprising: The system comprises: at least one computer at a commodity exchange that outputs prices of non-water commodities, where at least one of the commodities is a root commodity that has water as a component or uses fresh water in its production; a system computer having a processing device coupled to at least one computer of at least one commodity exchange and configured to receive updateable price data for commodities from the at least one computer of the at least one commodity exchange, the system computer configured to identify a root commodity and to extract a current price of the identified root commodity from the updateable price data; The processing device includes: Preserve water quality standards for at least one water quality category; Associating at least one identified root commodity with each of at least one water quality category, such that the quality of water used in the production of each identified root commodity meets the water quality standards promulgated by at least one of the EEC, WHO, or United States for each of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water; calculating, for each of the at least one water quality category, an updatable current index value of fresh water meeting said respective water quality category; It is configured as follows: a current index value is determined based on a current price of each of the identified root commodities associated with each of the water quality categories and based on at least one of: (i) a quantity of fresh water that is a component in each of the identified root commodities associated with each of the water quality categories; and (ii) a quantity of fresh water used in the production of each of the identified root commodities associated with each of the water quality categories; The system computer is configured to transmit the calculated current index values ​​for each water quality category to at least one other computer.

29. 30. The system of claim 28, further comprising a display coupled to the at least one computer, the display displaying at least one current index value of the fresh water in the water quality category and displaying a price of the at least one identified root commodity for which the at least one current index value of the fresh water is calculated, the displayed at least one current index value of the fresh water being updated over time and the displayed price of the at least one identified root commodity being updated over time.

30. 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a display coupled to the at least one computer, the display displaying in a first portion thereof at least one current index value of the water quality category fresh water and in a second portion thereof a price of the at least one identified root commodity for which the at least one current index value of the fresh water is calculated, the displayed at least one current index value of the fresh water being updated over time and the displayed price of the at least one identified root commodity being updated over time.

31. 30. The system of claim 28, further comprising a processor for determining a price for each of a plurality of financial instruments that specify on their face a particular amount of fresh water of a particular water quality category, wherein the price of each financial instrument is determined using a current index value for fresh water of a water quality category.

32. 1. A method of investing in fresh water based on fresh water quality, comprising: (a) receiving, with a processor, an updatable current price for at least one root commodity, the root commodity being other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component of said respective root commodity; and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root commodity; (b) associating at least one water quality category with each of the at least one root commodity, the at least one water quality category being defined by being within a range for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption; and (c) for each water quality category of at least one water quality category, determining an updatable current index value of fresh water satisfying the respective water quality category, the index value being determined based on a current price of the respective root commodity associated with the respective water quality category and based on at least one of: (i) a quantity of fresh water that is a component in the respective root commodity associated with the respective water quality category; and (ii) a quantity of fresh water used in the production of the respective root commodity associated with the respective water quality category.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising displaying on a display coupled to the computer one or more of the updatable current index values ​​for fresh water and indicia identifying the water or category of fresh water for which the current index value is displayed on the display, the display displaying a current price for the at least one root commodity for which at least one of the current index values ​​is calculated and indicia identifying each of the at least one root commodity for which the current price is displayed.

34. 33. The method of claim 32, including displaying on a first portion of a display connected to the computer one or more of the updatable current index values ​​for fresh water and indicia identifying either water or a category of fresh water whose current price is displayed on the first portion, the display displaying on a second portion thereof the updatable current price of the at least one root commodity for which at least one of the current index values ​​is calculated and indicia identifying each of the at least one root commodity whose current price is displayed on the second portion.

35. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising using the treatment device to adjust the price of the natural water based on the suitability of the natural water for at least one of: (i) drinking use, (ii) agricultural use, and (iii) industrial use.

36. 33. The method of claim 32, comprising using the treatment device to adjust the price of the non-natural water based on the suitability of the non-natural water for at least one of: (i) drinking use, (ii) agricultural use, and (iii) industrial use.

37. 33. The method of claim 32, including using a processing device to determine a price for each of a plurality of financial instruments that specify on their face a particular quantity of fresh water of a particular water quality category, wherein the price of each financial instrument is determined using a current index value for fresh water of a water quality category.

38. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising measuring at least one water source having fresh water for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption to classify the fresh water of the at least one water source by a water quality category.

39. 33. The method of claim 32, comprising measuring at least one water source for at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption to classify the at least one source fresh water by a water quality class within the at least one source fresh water quality category.

40. 1. A system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, comprising: The system comprises: a water quality measuring device for measuring fresh water of at least one water source with respect to at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrate, toxins, and sodium adsorption; and receiving data from a water quality measuring device for the fresh water regarding at least one of TDS, carbonate content, pH, hardness, sodium, chloride, nitrates, toxins, and sodium adsorption; Comparing the data received with stored water quality standards to determine fresh water quality categories; determining a current price of at least one root commodity, each root commodity being other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component in the root commodity; and (ii) water used in the manufacture of the root commodity; Processing an association between at least one water quality category and at least one respective root commodity; and determining a current freshwater index value for each of the at least one water quality categories based on a current price of each of the root commodities and based on at least one of (i) the amount of freshwater that is a component in the root commodity associated with each of the water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of freshwater used in the production of the root commodity; A system including a computer for:

41. Determine the water quality class, Processing an association of each of the at least one water quality class with the at least one root commodity; and determining a current freshwater index value for each water quality class based on a current price of each of the root commodities and based on at least one of (i) the amount of freshwater that is a component in the root commodity associated with each of the water quality classes, and (ii) the amount of freshwater used in the production of the root commodity; 41. The system of claim 40, further comprising a computer for:

42. The computer further includes a display coupled to the computer, the display displaying updateable current prices of one or more root commodities and a particular price of fresh water of a particular water quality, such that the current price of fresh water of a particular water quality depends on the current price of the one or more root commodities. (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes; and an updatable current price of fresh water.

43. Updateable current prices for one or more root instruments and specific (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes; 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the updatable current price of fresh water is located in a different portion of the display.

44. 1. A method of investing in fresh water based on fresh water quality, comprising: (a) receiving, with a processor, an updatable current price for at least one root commodity, the root commodity being other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component of said respective root commodity; and (ii) water used in the production of said respective root commodity; (b) associating at least one water quality category with at least one root commodity; and (c) for each water quality category of at least one water quality category, determining an updatable current index value of fresh water satisfying the respective water quality category, the index value being determined based on a current price of at least one root commodity associated with the respective water quality category and based on at least one of: (i) a quantity of fresh water that is a component in the at least one root commodity associated with the respective water quality category; and (ii) a quantity of fresh water used in the production of the at least one root commodity associated with the respective water quality category.

45. 1. A system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, comprising: The system comprises: receiving an updatable current price for at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component; and (ii) water used in the production of said each root commodity; Preserving water quality standards promulgated by at least one of the EEC, WHO, or the United States for at least two of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water; processing an association of each of the at least one water quality category with a financial instrument that specifies on its face a particular quantity of fresh water meeting the water quality standard of each water quality category, the price of the financial instrument being based on the particular quantity of fresh water and a current index value of the fresh water of the particular water quality category; determining an updatable current index value for each freshwater of the water quality categories based on a current price of each of the root commodities and based on at least one of (i) the amount of freshwater that is a component in the root commodity associated with each of the water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of freshwater used in the production of the root commodity; A system including a computer for:

46. The current price of one or more root commodities may be updated such that the current price of fresh water of a particular quality depends on the current prices of one or more root commodities. (i) Water quality category; (ii) Water quality class; or (iii) Water quality categories and classes; 46. ​​The system of claim 45, further comprising a computer for displaying a current, updatable price of fresh water.

47. 1. A system for buying and selling fresh water based on water quality, comprising: The system comprises: receiving an updatable current price for at least one root commodity other than water, each root commodity of the at least one root commodity having at least one of: (i) water as a component; and (ii) water used in the production of said each root commodity; Preserving water quality standards promulgated by at least one of the EEC, WHO, or the United States for at least two of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water; and determining an updatable current index value for each freshwater of the water quality categories based on a current price of each of the root commodities and based on at least one of (i) the amount of freshwater that is a component in the root commodity associated with each of the water quality categories, and (ii) the amount of freshwater used in the production of the root commodity; A computer for a financial product, each of which identifies on its face a specific quantity of fresh water meeting the water quality standards for each of the following water quality categories: natural quality, drinking water, domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water, the price of which is based on the current index value of the specific quantity of fresh water and the specific water quality category; A system comprising:

48. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein each financial product specifies on its face a particular amount of fresh water that meets water quality standards for each of the following water quality categories: domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water.

49. 48. The system of claim 47, wherein each financial product specifies on its face a particular amount of fresh water that meets water quality standards for each of the following water quality categories: domestic water, agricultural water, and industrial water.

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