WOTA Takes on Huge Global Water Challenges with Compact Solutions

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In Japan, people generally believe that turning on the tap will provide safe water. But Japan is an outlier, even worldwide. About 25% of the global population lives without access to water infrastructure. WOTA is a Japanese startup company taking on the challenge of providing structural solutions to water issues.

Instead of a large-scale civil engineering model, WOTA proposes a manufacturing industry-based model using its proprietary automated control technology for water treatment. This small-scale and efficient approach allows for constant control and monitoring of water safety during operation.

Global Water Issues

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its General Assembly. "Clean water and sanitation for all" is one of the goals to be achieved by 2030.

Demand for water is rising with the increasing global population. Simultaneously, developments in industry have improved living standards and led to an upward trend in water usage. Industrial and domestic wastewater contributes to the contamination of rivers, seas, and groundwater. Urbanization-driven development also impacts and disrupts natural water sources. 

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government estimates the individual's daily water usage in households to be approximately 214 liters.

About 97% of the Earth's water is saltwater. Water that can be used for drinking constitutes less than 0.01% of the total water on our planet. 

Climate change brought on by global warming drastically alters precipitation patterns, creating new regions grappling with water shortages. The progression of desertification due to drought is a serious concern. By 2030, more than 40% of the world's population will be at risk of water scarcity. Meanwhile, disputes over the distribution and ownership rights of water persist worldwide.

Addressing Multi-Level Challenges

In this context, Yosuke Maeda, CEO of WOTA, views global water issues on three levels. The first involves areas with absolute water scarcity where water supply does not meet demand, such as arid regions and areas unreached by water and sewer services. Areas facing progressing pollution of water sources are at the next level. These places are characterized by an increase in water usage accompanied by the release of untreated wastewater. 

The third level is observed in developed countries. While water and sewer systems are widespread, depopulation in certain regions results in financial challenges in the supply and management of water. At this level in particular, areas with smaller populations may face imbalances in their budgets, with costs for water and sewer facilities exceeding revenue from fees.

WOTA is working on solutions to address issues at all levels.

An Early Interest in Water

Maeda has been passionate about the natural sciences since elementary school. In junior high, he wrote a paper and won the grand prize in a science contest for middle and high school students. 

A part of the reward was a trip to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, where he was inspired by a speech by former Vice President Al Gore. Since then, Maeda has had a keen interest in environmental and water-related issues. 

In high school, he researched water treatment. He then pursued studies in the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo, focusing on urban infrastructure and living conditions in slums in developing countries. In graduate school, his research centered on water supply and drainage sanitation facilities.

Supplying Water Small-Scale 

During stages of population growth and urbanization, huge investments that span decades are needed to lay water pipes, establish water treatment plants, and construct sewage treatment facilities. On the other hand, the installation of infrastructure in newly depopulated areas with low population density may be cost-prohibitive.

WOTA takes a different approach that moves away from large-scale civil construction. The company looks at water supply and sewage treatment as a small-scale water infrastructure system that can be manufactured. 

Specializing in planning and development, the company adopts a fabless manufacturing model for its compact products to keep investment costs low. The water reuse system WOTA developed enables water usage in areas without water supply as long as there is a power source.

One of their products is the "WOTA BOX." Weighing approximately 80 kg, its built-in pump can circulate more than 98% of wastewater over and over, starting with just 100 liters of water. It disinfects, removing over 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses from water using exposure to ultraviolet light and chlorine-based disinfectants. The treated water is safe, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) water quality standards for drinking water. 

The WOTA BOX can be set up in about 15 minutes, even for its initial installation. Regular maintenance like filter replacement is needed based on usage. The front display provides information on maintenance and manuals, ensuring ease of operation.

In Action at Natural Disasters

As a portable water recycling system, the WOTA BOX has proven effective in disaster-stricken areas. WOTA began development in 2018, and completed the product in 2019. Since then, the WOTA BOX has helped many people at relief sites during earthquakes, typhoons, and torrential rains in Japan. 

The WOTA BOX comes with a simple tent and requires only a power source and an initial amount of water to operate. The water can be used over and over. In disaster-stricken areas with disrupted water supply, it has served as a mobile alternative for shower facilities. 

Maeda notes being reminded of the value of water. "When there is no water supply and people are facing a difficult situation in disaster-affected areas, being able to take a shower brings small smiles back to their faces," he says.

The WOTA BOX has been actively adopted by local governments in Japan and utilized by over 20,000 persons at 27 disaster evacuation centers. While water supplied from water trucks is soon depleted, the water from the WOTA BOX is recycled, promoting hygiene in disaster-affected areas.

Internationally, the WOTA BOX was deployed after the Turkey-Syria earthquake of February 2023. The Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDR) brought a WOTA BOX to support the on-site activities of team members.

Recognition and Popularity

The WOTA BOX was recognized for its outstanding design and technology in the CES 2024 Innovation Awards. The world's largest technology exhibition, CES 2024 will be held in Las Vegas in January. 

Another of WOTA's products is called "WOSH." It is a drum-shaped water-recycling handwashing station. Use of 18 liters of water allows for 500 handwashes. Similar to the WOTA BOX, it features a replaceable filter and proprietary automated control water treatment technology for continuous monitoring and control. Additionally, it comes equipped with a smartphone disinfection function. 

Domestically, local governments as well as businesses and commercial facilities are increasingly installing WOSH at their facilities.

Tackling Domestic Wastewater

WOTA currently offers two products, the WOTA BOX and WOSH. Maeda is now using this technology to address water problems in depopulated areas. The company is testing small-scale decentralized water recycling systems for residential use in regions with shrinking populations that face challenges with water infrastructure.

WOTA has partnered with three cities in Ehime Prefecture and a remote island in Tokyo with a population of about 300. They aim to prove the effectiveness of the technology in bettering public financing for water supply, which is expected to worsen in the future.

The effectiveness of large-scale centralized systems in urban areas versus small-scale decentralized systems in other regions depends on factors such as population distribution, required facilities, and aging infrastructure. 

WOTA plans to gradually reduce overall project costs through improvements based on feedback from usage data and economies of scale. Then the company can expand into regions where their technology can be adopted.

Helping the World

WOTA's technology is in demand internationally too. The company has signed an agreement with the government of Antigua and Barbuda to address water scarcity issues in the Caribbean region.

In 2021, WOTA's innovative ideas for solving water problems won the Earthshot Prize. The prize was launched by Prince William in 2020 through the Royal Foundation. This led to an introduction from the British royal family to the situation in Antigua and Barbuda. Additionally, expansion plans are being considered in the Middle East, Australia, India, and other regions.

Japan possesses world-class water treatment technologies. These range from seawater desalination and sewage treatment to durable water pipe technology. Combined with WOTA's sensor and automated control technology, the innovation potential has expanded even further.

"By fusing the water-related technologies that the Japanese excel in with the manufacturing technologies our country has developed, we can do even more to help the world," Maeda states with enthusiasm. "Environmental solutions have global implications and are an exportable field. Through addressing water problems, we want to challenge the possibilities for humanity," he adds.

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