[jackmoore]

You'd have to constantly refill it, which would still require irrigation for transport.

Instead of centralized distillation plus transport, you have distributed mini distillers at point of consumption plus transport. This doesn't seem special, what am I missing?

[htnsao]

There is moisture within ~3m in even the driest deserts. The water in the box slowly releases to make a connection with the capillary water deep below for the roots to reach within the first year. It's a planting method, not irrigation. Refills during rains, prevents evaporation via a clever siphon.

[krab]

The distillation is powered completely by the solar heat. You can also use quite low tech transportation because you do it only once in a while.