Sustainability is at the core of our values.
z
Climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, poverty, and other problems are increasingly becoming global challenges. The world’s population is growing and the competition for natural resources, like fresh water, is increasing. Climate change is threatening global access to clean water and, by using more water than we receive, our aquifers, rivers and lakes are disappearing. Many areas are exposed to high water risks, and already today, four billion people are affected by water shortages. According to the WHO, more than 820.000 people (including nearly 300.000 children aged under 5 years) are estimated to die each year as a result of unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hand hygiene. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world’s population could be living under water stressed conditions.
Whereas these numbers are alarming, there are possibilities to tackle the problems associated to water scracity and climate change. Ensuring that everyone has access to sustainable water and sanitation is not only the right thing to do, but also a critical climate change mitigation strategy for the years ahead.
The key to more water lies in the sea.
One of the obvious solutions to water scarcity is to use sea water, a resource that covers more than 70% of our planet and seems to be truly unlimited. However, currently seawater desalination is far from being sustainable. Most desalination plants are powered by burning fossil fuels, which only contributes to the vicious cycle of climate change and causes water scarcity in the first place. Today, desalination provides around 1 percent of the world’s drinking water (to 300 million people) while accounting for more than 0.5% of global electricity consumption and sometimes requiring up to 25 times more energy than conventional freshwater systems. In addition, only 1% of total desalinated water is based on energy from renewable sources.
Water demand is growing.
Just as with other natural resources, global water demand is growing. Compared to 1950, water withdrawals have tripled globally. There are several reasons for this development, with one of the major ones being global wealth creation. As fresh water is getting more scarce, we will have to find alternative ways of fulfilling this growing demand. Currently, the Middle-East and North Africa are the largest users of desalination and are expected to grow their share of water produced from the sea to 16% by 2030. With the growing demand in desalination, the industry will have to make the shift to the application of energy-efficient as well as energy-effective technologies.
Global water demand
The issue with the brine.
During the desalination process, saline water is seperated from fresh water, resulting in an outflow with a high concentration of salt. This so called brine is often up to 150-200% saltier than sea water, resulting in negative effects on the marine ecosystem. Globally, desalination systems discharge 142 million m³ of brine a day, posing a major risk to aquatic life. Additionaly, toxic chemicals, such as copper and chlorine, are used as anti-scalants and anti-foulants, polluting the oceans even more.
We have recognized this issue and, in contrast to many other desalination companies, operate on a low recovery ratio and do not use any toxic chemicals in our desalination technology. Operating on a low recovery ratio results in the outflow being only slightly saltier than the source water (instead of being 150-200% saltier). That way, negative environmental impact is avoided, making desalination a truly sustainable solution to water scarcity for generations to come.
At Elemental Water Makers, we are dedicated to operate sustainably and even strive to have a positive impact on the environment. Our technology enables us to not only be efficient (through innovation), but effective as well (through the use of unlimited resources).
We are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have been formulated by the United Nations. This selection of 17 goals was designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” We are proud that our operations and solutions are currently delivering on 9 of the UN’s SDGs.
SDGs delivered by Elemental Water Makers.
No Poverty
Water scracity and poverty are mutually reinforcing. Currently, 748 million people live without access to safe water. We are providing affordable and sustainable solutions to give them access to clean water, enabling them to rise out of poverty.Zero Hunger
Water is the root of everything! We rely on water in agriculture and the distribution of food. That is why it is so important to ensure the access to fresh water as a means for hunger relief. Our irrigation solutions can help in achieving zero hunger.Good Health and Well-Being
Clean water and health are closely linked. Water pollution kills more than wars and all violence combined: Each year, 3.4 million people, mostly children, die from water-related diseases. Our desalination technology filters out dangerous substances, contributing to global health.Gender Equality
A lack of local water infrastructure means that 2.1 billion people worldwide have to carry water, a task that falls mainly to women and girls. Through our solar desalination systems, we provide local access to clean water, freeing women from this grueling labor.Clean Water and Sanitation
Water scarcity is preventing millions of people from proper sanitation. Solar desalination is a solution to improve sanitation and clean water accessibility, especially in remote places with severe water stress.
Affordable and Clean Energy
Most desalination plants are powered by the burning of dirty fossil fuels. In contrast, our desalination systems are efficiently powered by renewable resources. That way they are not only clean and affordable, but also independent.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Many cities and communities rely on unsustainably treated water, which is often, next to being environmentally damaging, very expensive. We are providing affordable and sustainable water treatment solutions for communities who need it the most.Climate Action
Humanity is emitting more carbon dioxides than ever before, putting pressure on the earth’s climate. Opposed to many desalination companies, we are committed to pioneer in sustainable desalination and reverse the climate crisis by using renewable resources, generating sustainable water.
Life Below Water
The ocean drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. However, the overexploitation of the ocean and its species is causing tremendous problems. We have set ourselves ambitious criteria to not harm the marine ecosystem in any way.
Solving fresh water scarcity by using only the sea, sun, earth & wind.
Here’s how we make an impact.
At Elemental Water Makers, we recognize the importance of serving affordable water in a sustainable way. Social and environmental values are deeply rooted in our company’s philosophy, which is why we try to not only have a positive economic effect, but also a social and environmental impact.
We democratize water supply by providing independent solutions that are operating reliably in different kinds of conditions. That way, we strive to empower our users. Whether private properties, resorts or remote communities: everyone can benefit from sustainable access to affordable water. The use of innovative technology enables us to make the desalination process as efficient and effective as it can get, which does not only reduce costs, but also avoids carbon emissions. In contrast to conventional desalination technologies, our equipment allows users to enjoy water without feeling guilty about harming the environment.
We are convinced that desalination driven by renewable energy will become the new standard for an affordable, considerate and sustainable long-term solution to fresh water supply. Here are some examples of our projects’ impact:
How does sustainable desalination work?
How can we produce so much water with so few solar panels? That’s a good question! Our solar desalination solutions include a special Energy Recovery System. This technology reduces the amount of energy needed by up to 75%. How does it work? The Energy Recovery System “catches” the residual energy of the saltier water that is leaving the reverse osmosis membranes and uses it to power the desalination unit. In short: It simply re-uses the brine pressure over and over again. The benefit of energy recovery is not only that it reduces the amount of energy needed during water production, but also the amount of solar panels. This makes it a crucial technology for sustainable water production. Finally, the Energy Recovery System is maintenance-free, enabling users to enjoy affordable and sustainable water without having to handle the desalination process.
Traditional desalination.
Traditional desalination uses up to 10 kWh / m³.
Solar desalination.
We use under 3 kWh / m³& integrate solar energy.
From water scarcity to abundance for all.
Resorts
Reliable savings
Properties
Total independence
Communities
Safe potable water
Water Utilities
Natural resources
Industries
Big savings
Others
Water for all
Solar desalination.
Clean water from abundant resources.
In contrast to many other desalination units, our systems can be powered completely by the energy of the sun. That way, we are able to desalinate water without compromising the needs of future generations. Our energy-efficient reverse osmosis technology, allows us to reduce the operating costs significantly, making fresh water affordable even for the poorest.
A self-sufficient future by solar desalination has arrived!
Elemental Water Foundation.
Fresh water for all.
Fresh water scracity is one of the major challenges of the 21st century and it is increasing at a drastic rate! Almost 2/3 of the world population are affected by water shortages, with a total of 2.2 billion people not having access to clean water. As water is not only a human right, but also the most important resource for everything we do, this situation is leading to problems in all areas of life: social, economic, environmental, political, health, and many more.
The Elemental Water Foundation is a certified & independent non-profit organization that enables the access to safe and affordable water by realizing projects that provide water to people who need it the most.
In order to have an even bigger impact on global water supply, we are supporting the Elemental Water Foundation through in-kind donations, as well as through the provision of technologies, knowledge and networks.
