Title: Innovative Startups Tackle Water Scarcity with Atmospheric Water Generation Technology
In 2016, a severe drought hit the Indian city of Kozhikode, leaving residents like student Swapnil Shrivastav with limited access to water. This experience inspired Swapnil and his co-founders Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja to establish Uravu Labs, a Bangalore-based startup that converts air to water using atmospheric water generators.
The technology developed by Uravu Labs uses a liquid desiccant to absorb moisture from the air, which is then condensed into drinking water. While their initial vision was to supply water to communities facing shortages, they found more success selling to the hospitality industry.
Similarly, in Kenya, Beth Koigi founded Majik Water after experiencing water scarcity during a drought in Nairobi. Majik Water uses cooling and condensation-based techniques to capture moisture from the air, providing water to arid regions in Kenya.
The atmospheric water generation market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with a focus on energy efficiency and cost reduction. Government support and subsidies could further drive adoption of this technology.
Both Uravu Labs and Majik Water are exploring ways to improve their systems and expand their reach. Uravu Labs is looking into pilot projects involving data centers to reduce freshwater consumption, while Majik Water continues to work with NGOs and humanitarian organizations.
While the cost of these systems may be a barrier, the benefits of producing water locally and avoiding transportation costs make atmospheric water generation technology an attractive solution to water scarcity issues around the world.
