How Tech Startups Are Solving Water Scarcity
Freshwater is a critical and limited resource, despite covering 70% of the Earth's surface. Technological advancements are addressing this issue with innovative solutions.
Freshwater is a critical and limited resource, despite covering 70% of the Earth's surface. Technological advancements are addressing this issue with innovative solutions.
Over 2 billion individuals lack access to safe drinking water, exacerbated by climate change, irregular rainfall, and melting glaciers. The World Bank forecasts significant economic impacts due to water scarcity, potentially reducing GDP by 6% in various regions by 2050. In response, WaterTech startups received $1.12 billion in global investments in 2024, with continued growth in early 2025.
Access to clean water is contingent upon effective contamination removal. Innovations in water treatment are as crucial as those in water supply technologies.
Recent advancements have made atmospheric water harvesting a viable technique within the water tech sector. Prominent startups in this area include:
Desolenator, based in the UK, has developed a solar-powered desalination system that transforms seawater into drinking water using solar energy. This technology serves both businesses and remote communities lacking traditional water infrastructure.
Freshwater is a critical and limited resource, despite covering 70% of the Earth's surface.
Canadian startup Oneka focuses on wave energy-based desalination. Its offshore units convert seawater into freshwater through a decarbonized process. In 2023, Oneka raised CA$12.5 million in Series A funding.
US-based WaHa employs metal-organic frameworks to capture moisture from the air, producing potable water even in arid conditions. The company secured $8 million in Series A-1 financing.
FIDO AI has developed an AI algorithm to detect leaks in water distribution networks, aiming to prevent the loss of 32 billion cubic meters of water annually due to leaks.
UK-based StormHarvester provides AI solutions for managing sewer and stormwater systems, preventing overflows and pollution during heavy rainfall.
Salinity Solutions offers the HyBatch system, which reduces energy consumption by 30 to 55% compared to traditional desalination methods.
Waterplan's SaaS platform integrates satellite technology and hydro modeling to assist businesses in evaluating water availability and investment decisions for water resiliency. The platform is used by Fortune 500 companies and supports compliance with CDP and TCFD sustainability frameworks.
Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.