What is the name of your solution?
ExaWater Gen3 Air to water units
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
We tackle global water challenges by creating clean drinking water from air at commercial scale. Sustainable, efficient and Scalable.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Seattle, WA, USAIn what country is your solution team headquartered?
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
What specific problem are you solving?
Climate change is wreaking havoc, and one of its most immediate threats is water scarcity. The situation is dire. According to UNICEF and WHO:
- 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water.
- Every year, an estimated 297,000 children under five die from diarrhea caused by unsafe water and sanitation.
- By 2040, it's estimated that nearly one in four children will live in areas experiencing extremely high water stress.
- Global AI operations could require 4.2 – 6.6 billion cubic meters of water withdrawal. This is significant, potentially exceeding the total annual water withdrawal of several countries
Today, less than 0.5% of water is available fresh water on earth. Climate change acts as a major catalyst, exacerbating existing water scarcity issue. This can lead to social unrest and conflict as competition for this vital resource intensifies between communities, industries, and agriculture. Contaminated water due to changes in precipitation patterns and saltwater intrusion can increase the spread of waterborne diseases.
What is your solution?
ExaWater generates pure water from air at commercial scale. Imagine a giant sponge that sucks in air and wrings out fresh water. That's kind of what ExaWater does. It uses patented technology to capture moisture from the air. This moisture is then collected and purified using filters to become clean drinking water. Unlike other competing solutions in the Air-to-Water segment, we do not use any absorbent/desorbent materials, coolant or liquid desiccant salt solutions. This is where our patent comes in and our system becomes ultra scalable and efficient. Our typical units produce around 20,000 liters per day. This output is scalable to millions of gallons per day based on customer needs. We are:
Sustainable: We do not use any ground or surface water. We in fact generate a new source of water becoming water positive. Water in the atmosphere replenishes every 8-10 days but ground water takes years to replenish.
Efficient: We are 30-40x cost efficient than competitors. Our units can be set up anywhere without the need for a big plant or operations (think desalination).
Scalable: Ideal for communities, commercial, industrial and municipal level needs.
ExaWater's technology is a game-changer because:
We don't strain existing water sources. Unlike traditional methods that rely on rivers, lakes, and aquifers, ExaWater creates a new, independent water source. This is crucial in regions facing droughts and depleted freshwater reserves.
We empower communities to adapt. ExaWater equips communities with the ability to adapt by providing a reliable source of clean water.
We promote water security and public health. ExaWater offers a sustainable solution for building long-term water security. Our scalable technology can be deployed in water contaminated or drought-stricken areas, fostering resilience and promoting public health.
We are environmentally friendly. ExaWater's technology is inherently sustainable. We don't compete with existing ecosystems for water, nor do we contribute to environmental degradation. We are water positive and our systems can be integrated with renewable energy sources, making it a green water solution solving global water challenges
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
ExaWater is on a mission to solve global water challenges. Our solution solves water challenges in different ways:
Water Access:
People Living in Areas with Limited Freshwater Access: Many regions across the world lack readily available freshwater sources. ExaWater provides a sustainable solution by creating a new source of clean water, right out of the air they breathe. For instance, ExaWater is working with communities in Cochella Valley (California) and Anjutengu (village in southern India).
Refugees and Displaced Populations: Natural disasters, conflicts, and political upheavals often disrupt access to clean water for displaced populations. ExaWater's modular and scalable technology can be rapidly deployed in emergency situations, providing displaced communities with a reliable source of drinking water.
Indigenous Communities: The traditional water sources of some indigenous communities are threatened by pollution or depletion. ExaWater offers a culturally sensitive solution that respects traditional practices while ensuring access to clean water.
Water Security:
Communities in Drought-Stricken Regions: From California to Catalonia- many regions are falling into drought due to Climate change. ExaWater offers a lifeline by generating clean water completely independent of local water sources.
Enable Water Positive Goals:
Corporations Seeking Water Positive Solutions: Beverage companies, tech giants, and other corporations are increasingly looking to reduce their environmental footprint and achieve water-positive status. ExaWater's technology allows them to:
- Offset water usage: By incorporating ExaWater systems into their operations, companies can generate clean water that offsets their water consumption, contributing to a net positive water balance.
- Enhance sustainability efforts: ExaWater aligns with corporate sustainability goals by providing a reliable and environmentally friendly water source.
- Strengthen community relations: Companies committed to water stewardship can demonstrate their positive impact by helping communities facing water scarcity through ExaWater's technology.
Underserved Communities and How We Help:
These populations are currently underserved in several ways:
- Limited Infrastructure: Many lack access to traditional water infrastructure like wells or treatment plants (more than 2million Americans in the US still lack basic water infrastructure).
- Depleting Resources: Climate change and overuse are causing existing freshwater sources to dwindle.
- High Costs: Transporting water to remote areas can be expensive, placing a burden on already strained resources.
ExaWater addresses these needs by:
- Providing a new water source: We don't rely on existing, stressed water tables or rivers.
- Being scalable and mobile: Our systems can be deployed in various sizes and locations, reaching even the most remote communities.
A Brighter Future:
By providing a reliable and sustainable source of clean water, ExaWater empowers these underserved populations and corporations to:
- Improve health and hygiene: Access to clean water reduces the risk of waterborne diseases.
- Boost food security: Water is essential for agriculture, allowing communities to grow their own food and improve nutrition.
- Drive economic development: Reliable water resources attract investment and support local businesses.
- Achieve water-positive goals: Corporations can demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
Our team isn't just passionate about clean and sustainable water solutions – we've felt the struggle firsthand. We come from a diverse background. This mix of real-world experience and technical expertise positions us perfectly to design and deliver ExaWater to those who need it most. Years of research has culminated into current technology that ExaWater is working to commercialize to create global impact on millions of lives.
Here's what sets us apart:
- Bridging the Gap: We have both the technical know-how, having worked with Fortune 500 companies, and on-the-ground understanding gained from collaborating with village communities. We speak the language of engineers and listen to the needs of the people directly impacted by water scarcity.
- Building with Consent: We don't impose solutions. Every project we've undertaken, including those in India, has been with the full consent and collaboration of the local people.
- From the Ground Up, for Scale: We understand the challenges at the grassroots level and have the experience to design, build, and commercialize technology that can make a lasting difference across regions.
A Global Team, Focused Locally:
Our team spans across the US and India and we focus at the grass roots level. For instance, in one of our projects in a village in southern India, the residents are buying bottled water at market rate due to lack of clean water options. We are working with the village government to bring the cost down to less than a cent per gallon – a 10x reduction!
Beyond Borders, Shared Struggles:
Our experiences extend beyond borders. We've witnessed water insecurity even in developed nations like the US. Millions of Americans lack basic plumbing or have unsafe drinking water. This firsthand exposure fuels our commitment to a global solution.
Customer-Centric Design:
Our "customer first" mentality drives everything we do. We design and build our solutions with the user's pain points at the forefront. Community input is crucial – their needs and priorities guide the entire process, ensuring a solution that truly works for them.
By combining our diverse experiences, technical capabilities, and commitment to community collaboration, we are confident that ExaWater can deliver water security to those who need it most.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Adapt cities to more extreme weather, including through climate-smart buildings, incorporating climate risk in infrastructure planning, and restoring regional ecosystems.Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
What is your solution’s stage of development?
PilotWhy are you applying to Solve?
While we're confident in our technology's potential, we believe Solve's unique network can connect us with partners who can address critical challenges in below key areas:
1. Market Adoption: Building Trust and Credibility
- Challenge: Overcoming initial market resistance to a new water generation technology.
- Solve's Support: Connecting us with NGOs and water industry leaders can help establish Exawater's credibility and accelerate market acceptance.
2. Scaling Up for Global Impact
- Challenge: Securing funding and navigating complex regulations in new markets.
- Solve's Support: Matching us with impact investors and legal experts experienced in international water projects can facilitate smoother global expansion.
3. Sustainability and Social Impact Measurement
- Challenge: Developing robust metrics to demonstrate Exawater's long-term social and environmental impact.
- Solve's Support: Matching us with experts in social impact measurement can help us establish a clear framework to quantify the positive change Exawater brings to communities.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Geetha Natarajan
What makes your solution innovative?
Here's how ExaWater approaches water scarcity in a groundbreaking way, with the potential to catalyze positive change and reshape the clean water landscape:
A New Frontier in Water Generation:
- Unlike traditional methods that rely on depleting freshwater sources like rivers and aquifers, ExaWater creates clean water directly from air. This eliminates competition for existing resources and offers a sustainable solution in drought-stricken regions or areas with limited freshwater access.
Scalable and Deployable Anywhere:
- ExaWater's modular design allows for systems to be adapted to various sizes and capacities. This makes them suitable for deployment in diverse settings, from remote villages to bustling cities.
A Catalyst for Innovation:
- By demonstrating the commercial viability of air-to-water technology, ExaWater can inspire further innovation in this field. This could lead to the development of even more efficient and cost-effective solutions, creating a ripple effect of positive impact.
Sustainable Water Management:
- ExaWater promotes responsible water use by providing a new water source that doesn't strain existing ecosystems. This encourages a shift towards a more sustainable water management approach, potentially influencing entire industries and communities.
Market Transformation:
- ExaWater has the potential to disrupt the traditional water infrastructure market. Our focus on decentralized, on-site water generation offers an alternative to expensive and resource-intensive pipeline networks. This could lead to a more diverse and adaptable water supply landscape.
Wider Social Impact:
- By providing access to clean water, ExaWater can improve public health, sanitation, and hygiene standards in underserved communities. This can trigger a domino effect, leading to increased education, economic opportunities, and overall well-being.
Describe in simple terms how and why you expect your solution to have an impact on the problem.
Why it Matters:
- New Water Source: Exawater doesn't rely on already stressed rivers or aquifers, creating a new, independent source of clean water.
- Sustainable Approach: Our technology is designed for long-term use with minimal environmental impact (no coolant or absorbent/desorbent materials used; no harmful bi-product generated like brine; 25yr lifespan of our units).
- Scalable and Adaptable: Systems can be sized for various needs, reaching remote communities or densely populated areas.
Expected Impact:
- Immediate Outputs:
- Deployment of ExaWater systems in target communities.
- Training on operating and maintaining the systems.
- Short-Term Outcomes:
- Increased access to clean drinking water for target populations.
- Reduction in waterborne diseases.
- Long-Term Outcomes:
- Improved public health and hygiene standards.
- Enhanced economic opportunities through increased water security.
- Empowered communities with greater control over their water resources.
- Reduction in gender disparity as women and girls are responsible for collecting water in 70% of households without water supplies on-site, which is the case for an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide.
What are your impact goals for your solution and how are you measuring your progress towards them?
ExaWater's ultimate goal is to revolutionize access to clean water and create a world where water scarcity no longer hinders human potential. We strive for a future where clean water is a right, not a privilege. We plan to touch 10 million people by 2030 with clean water solutions.
Measurable Objectives:
- Increased Access to Clean Water: We aim to provide clean drinking water to at least 10 million people by 2030.
- Improved Public Health: We target a reduction in waterborne illnesses in communities with deployed ExaWater systems.
- Empowered Communities: We aim to establish community-managed Exawater systems, fostering local ownership and water security.
Tracking Progress:
To measure our progress towards these goals, we utilize a robust framework with key indicators:
- Water Access:
- Number of ExaWater systems deployed.
- Volume of clean water produced per system measured by IoT.
- Increase in the percentage of households with access to clean water in target communities.
- Public Health:
- Number of reported waterborne disease cases before and after ExaWater implementation.
- Partnerships with health organizations to monitor health outcomes in target communities.
- Community Empowerment:
- Number of community members trained on operating and maintaining ExaWater systems - Jobs created.
- Establishment of local water management committees in communities with ExaWater systems.
- Community satisfaction surveys regarding water access and management.
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
Core Technology: We have developed a novel technology that eliminates the need for traditional absorbent/desorbent method (currently used by competitors) and eliminates the need for coolants. This has drastically improved our systems water output and efficiency - which is at the heart of our patent. Our Water quality exceeds WHO standards. Additionally:
- IoT (Internet of things): for real-time tracking of water output, quality of water, system health, remote operation (start/stop) of facility etc.
- Software: Customers can track these metrics on a dashboard and in an app. They can also track metrics around positive environmental impact (in-progress).
- AI/ML: To optimize the parameters for maximizing water generation output based on the humidity and climatic condition of every location.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new technology
How do you know that this technology works?
1) We have had projects in India and many orders in pipeline.
2) We are in Talks with one of the biggest beverage companies to install these units in 200 schools.
3) We have an LOI with one of the Californian community with an NGO.
4) We are also in talks with a reverse osmosis company for their green water projects.
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
If your solution has a website or an app, provide the links here:
https://exawater.com
In which countries do you currently operate?
How many people work on your solution team?
Full time:
2
Part time:
3
Contractors:
2
How long have you been working on your solution?
The research has been going for more than 7-8 years. We recently commercialized our latest model that generates water at large scale .
Tell us about how you ensure that your team is diverse, minimizes barriers to opportunity for staff, and provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all team members.
We are three brown co-founders including 2 women. We strongly are focused on building a culture that does not discriminate based on gender, caste, race or ethnicity.
Here's how we strive to cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment at Exawater:
- Building a Diverse Team: We actively seek talent from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. This includes promoting diversity in areas like race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability.
- Fostering Inclusion: We create a culture of respect and open communication.
- Celebrating Differences: We value the unique perspectives and experiences each team member brings to the table. We encourage open communication and celebrate the contributions of all individuals, regardless of background.
Our projects are mostly in under represented communities.
What is your business model?
Our Beneficiaries:
- Communities and Individuals: These are primarily residents in drought-stricken regions, areas with limited freshwater access, and remote villages lacking infrastructure.
- Non-Profit Organizations: We partner with NGOs focused on water security projects, leveraging their expertise to reach the most vulnerable populations.
Products and Services:
- Exawater Systems: We offer modular water generation systems that utilize air-to-water technology to produce clean drinking water. These systems can be sized to cater to the needs of individual households or entire communities.
- Operation and Maintenance Training: We provide comprehensive training programs to ensure communities can operate and maintain Exawater systems effectively.
Value Proposition for Beneficiaries:
- Clean and Safe Drinking Water: Exawater provides a reliable source of clean water, improving public health and reducing waterborne diseases.
- Reduced Costs: Compared to purchasing bottled water or relying on expensive water trucking services, Exawater offers a significantly more affordable long-term solution.
- Sustainable Water Management: Our technology doesn't deplete existing freshwater resources, promoting responsible water use and environmental sustainability.
- Empowerment: Communities gain greater control over their water security, fostering self-reliance and resilience.
How We Deliver:
- Community Collaboration: We work closely with communities to understand their needs and ensure Exawater systems are integrated seamlessly into their local context.
- Partnership Approach: We collaborate with NGOs and local governments to facilitate project implementation and ensure long-term sustainability.
- Capacity Building: We prioritize training and knowledge transfer to empower communities to manage and maintain Exawater systems independently.
Our Customers:
Corporations: Beverage companies, tech giants, and other socially conscious corporations seeking water-positive solutions can:
- Offset their water usage by deploying Exawater systems in water-stressed regions.
- Enhance their sustainability efforts by aligning with a clean water technology solution.
- Strengthen community relations by supporting water security projects in areas where they operate.
Governments: Local, regional, and national governments facing water scarcity challenges can leverage Exawater to:
- Improve access to clean water for citizens in underserved communities.
- Enhance disaster preparedness and response by providing a reliable source of clean water in emergencies.
- Develop sustainable water management strategies that reduce reliance on strained freshwater resources.
Value Proposition for Customers:
- Water Stewardship: Exawater helps corporations and governments achieve water-positive status, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility and public well-being.
- Brand Reputation: Partnering with Exawater allows companies and governments to showcase their leadership in sustainability and social impact.
- Community Development: Corporations and governments can contribute to positive change by providing clean water access to underserved communities.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Exawater systems offer a reliable, decentralized solution for water security, particularly in drought-prone areas.
Sustainable Revenue Model:
- Corporate Partnerships: We collaborate with companies seeking water-positive solutions, offering them water offset packages and impact investment opportunities.
- Government Contracts: We partner with governments to implement water security projects, funded through grants, subsidies, or public-private partnerships.
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Organizations (B2B)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable, and what evidence can you provide that this plan has been successful so far?
1. Impact Investment and Philanthropy:
- Grants: We actively seek grants from foundations and organizations focused on water security and social impact.
- Impact Investors: We are attracting interest from impact investors who seek to combine financial returns with positive social and environmental impact.
2. Product Sales and Service Contracts:
- Product Sales: We sell units directly to communities or NGOs who seek cost efficient innovative solutions for areas without clean water access (such as Coachella Valley, Chennai library etc)
- Government Contracts: We are pursuing partnerships with governments facing water scarcity challenges. Exawater systems can be deployed in underserved communities or used for disaster preparedness.
3. Corporate Partnerships:
- Water Offset Programs: We collaborate with corporations seeking water-positive solutions. Companies can offset their water usage by sponsoring Exawater systems in water-stressed regions. We are in initial discussions with a major beverage company regarding a potential water offset program.
Solution Team
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Our Organization
ExaWater