Water's utility surpasses all else.
In the face of growing global water scarcity, several leading companies are driving innovations to improve water use efficiency, minimize waste, and adapt to the challenges posed by water scarcity.
One such company is Tetra Tech, specializing in water and environmental areas. They provide technical solutions to governments and private sector clients, focusing on water supply, wastewater treatment, watershed management, water treatment, and water resilience.
The Diamond-Water Paradox, a value paradox where water, essential for human survival, is cheaper than diamonds, which have little use value, is a concept explored by economist Adam Smith in his work "The Wealth of Nations". Diamonds are expensive due to a global shortage of supply, whereas water use has increased sevenfold in the last century, with the majority being consumed in agriculture and industry.
To address this imbalance, companies like Kornit Digital are providing digital printing solutions for the apparel and textile industry using a 100% water-free process. Their NeoPigment inks are safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable, contributing to a more sustainable industry.
In the realm of water treatment, the leading companies include Veolia Environnement (France), SUEZ (France), and Ecolab Inc. Veolia offers comprehensive water treatment solutions, serving municipalities and industries worldwide, while SUEZ focuses on sustainability through digital monitoring and circular economy strategies. Ecolab's presence in water management solutions is suggested by its mention alongside Veolia and SUEZ.
Watts Water Technologies (USA) is recognized for promoting water safety, energy efficiency, and water conservation technologies used in commercial, residential, and industrial applications. The company emphasizes sustainability and water stewardship.
In the field of smart irrigation, companies like AquaTech Solutions (USA), HydroSage International (Canada), GreenDrip Technologies (Australia), BlueSprout Irrigation (Spain), EcoFlow Smart Waters (India), DripMaster Engineering (Brazil), and SmartAgri Contractors (South Africa) are making a significant impact. These companies focus on sensor-based technologies, AI scheduling, eco-friendly irrigation, solar-powered irrigation, and remote monitoring.
Regulatory bodies should be empowered to hold companies accountable if their activities pollute local water supplies. The need for modernization of water infrastructure is evident, especially in the USA where nearly 23 billion liters of water are lost through leaks every day. A higher price for water could lead to governments investing in repairs and upgrades of water networks.
The global water scarcity combined with chronic underinvestment in water infrastructure is expected to create long-term structural growth drivers. Water is not an infinite resource, and its future abundance is not guaranteed. Ensuring access to safe and affordable drinking water, as outlined in the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is a basic human right that these companies are working tirelessly to uphold.
References:
[1] WaterTech Online. (2021). The Leading Companies in Water Conservation and Management Solutions. Retrieved from https://watertechonline.com/the-leading-companies-in-water-conservation-and-management-solutions/
[2] WaterSmart. (2021). Smart Irrigation Companies: The Future of Water Conservation. Retrieved from https://www.watersmart.com/blog/smart-irrigation-companies-the-future-of-water-conservation/
[3] Watts Water Technologies. (2021). Our Sustainability Commitment. Retrieved from https://www.wattswater.com/sustainability/
Economic and social policy must include regulations that hold companies accountable for polluting local water supplies, as they are essential for health-and-wellness. To further ensure sustainable water use in industries like science, nutrition, and health-and-wellness, companies like Kornit Digital are developing water-free digital printing solutions for the textile industry.
