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For most people, Maithri Aquatech is a name that doesn’t ring a bell, at least for now. This Hyderabad-based startup has been rather low key, even though it has caught the attention of the government and leading investors.
That’s because the company has developed a technology that could become a game-changer for the country, as it solves an increasingly worsening challenge that affects the core of humanity- water.
The game-changing solution
The company has developed MEGHDOOT (Sanskrit for ‘Messenger of the Skies’) a technology that can help convert atmospheric moisture into high-quality, potable water on a commercial scale. This development comes at a time when India is expected to witness sustained water shortages, as unrestricted groundwater depletion and continued industrial and agricultural demand further complicate matters.
The Meghdoot system developed uses industrial-grade fans to pull in ambient air into a multi layered filtration matrix, filtering out localised particulate matter. This filtered air then passes through a specialized condensation chamber where highly optimized thermal physical forces the air temperature below the dew point, causing the water to condense into liquid. After a thorough physical and chemical treatment process, the water is safe to drink, matching the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) water drinking standards.
The worsening challenge
India’s water shortage remains a ticking time bomb, but authorities remain slow to act (Image source: AI)India is facing a severe water shortage, supporting 18% of the world’s population with just 4% of its freshwater resources. Currently, the per capita availability of water has plunged to under 1500 cubic meters, way below the general threshold of more than 1,651 cubic meters. Unrestricted extraction has drawn almost 60% of the extractable groundwater, with Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan overexploiting groundwater for water-guzzling crops.
Major cities in India, including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad, are amongst the most water-stressed globally, with the authorities acting only when it is too late.
In such a situation, MEGHDOOT will emerge as a godsend, as it is expected to help address water availability for commercial spaces to start with.
Institutional backing
Given the seriousness of the challenge, Maithri Aquatech has been working to expand its reach, while collaborating with institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) to further its research in the segment.
Its patented technology has also attracted international attention, with Dubai’s DP World picking up a 14% stake in the company, as it looks to deploy the solution across its logistics-based operations.
The soonicorn no one can ignore
With climate change expected to worsen water availability, Maithiri Aquatech’s patented technology offers a unique solution for India. It is expected to solve a tough challenge that will only worsen with climate change, as we are witnessing now with the delayed monsoon due to the El Niño effect. Going ahead, increasing challenges with climate change would force investors to look for technologies that address water scarcity and climate mitigation over everything else. For now, Maithri Aquatech remains one of the leading players in the space.
How long would it take for local investors to see its potential? That’s a question that only time will tell.
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