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#SDGAction38191
End coastal water scarcity using the sea & sun
Description

Today, 4 billion people are affected by shortages of water. The majority of people lacking access to safe water live in rural areas. Islands and coastal regions are at the forefront of climate change, being vulnerable to increased droughts. Because 97% of our water resources are salty, the key to access to more water lies in the sea. Desalination is nothing new, but it is expensive, fossil fuel-intensive and complex. Elemental Water Makers (EWM) developed technology to make affordable water from the sea and sun. By unique energy recovery technology, EWM's solar-desalination solutions use 70% less energy. This breakthrough enables an affordable water supply for any coastal location worldwide.

Expected impact

SDG6: Of all people that lack access to safe water, 72% live in remote areas which are often overlooked. For any coastal region, it is now possible to get access to clean water using the sea & sun. Through this initiative, SDG6 - access to clean water for all - is obtained on a project-by-project basis.

SDG1:Water scarcity 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.

SDG2: 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 access to freshwater as a means for hunger relief. Our irrigation solutions can help in achieving zero hunger.

SDG3: 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.

SDG5: 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.

SDG7: 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.

SDG11: 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.

SDG13: 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.

SDG14: 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.

Website

www.elementalwatermakers.com

Goal 1
1.4 - By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
1.5 - By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
Goal 2
2.1 - By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
Goal 3
3.9 - By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
Goal 6
6.1 - By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.a - By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
Goal 11
Staff / Technical expertise
Project development, design, construction, commissioning, training for operation & support
Basic information
Start: 01 January, 2021
Completion: 01 January, 2025
Entity
Elemental Water Makers (Private sector)
Partners
Elemental Water Makers (private sector), Permits (local government), Financing (NGO or private sector or philanthropic organization), Beneficiaries (Community, Resort, Industry, Private Property or Municipality)
Initiative focused on COVID-19 pandemic response, prevention and recovery efforts
Yes
Geographical coverage
Africa
Asia and Pacific
Europe
Global
Latin America and the Caribbean
North America
West Asia
Beneficiary countries
Other beneficiaries
Contact information
Sid Vollebregt, Managing Director, sid@elementalwatermakers.com, +31629294357
Headquarters
The Hague, The Netherlands
United Nations