The Waterly
"The Waterly" is a weekly all-things-water newsletter we share with our community covering the latest innovations and investment deal flow in the water sector and recent news on climate change and water-related crises.
Have you ever seen an ice cube that doesn't melt? Get used to it as researchers at UC Have you ever seen an ice cube that doesn't melt? Researchers at UC Davis created just that! This week we look at the Water industry trends for 2022. Glanris was selected as one of the three climatetech companies to watch for 2022. The California drought is getting serious as a $500 fine for wasting water is set. PFAS have now been found in most anti-fogging sprays for glasses and face shields, endangering healthcare workers' health. Meet our WELL Advisor Stella Thomas, founder and managing director of the Global Water Fund.
Your weekly Bonus - Can seaweed solve the world's plastic crisis?
This week's water fact:
It takes 20 gallons of Water to make one pint of beer
Tech & Innovation
An Indian startup could revolutionize ocean farming with its 'sea combine harvester'
Often used to wrap sushi and flavor soups, seaweed has much greater potential -- both as a food and for use in a wide range of products from cosmetics and textiles to biodegradable packaging and even biofuel.
UC Davis Researchers Develop Ice Cube That Doesn’t Melt or Grow Mold
Environmentally friendly ‘Jelly Ice Cube’ Could Transform Cold Storage.
A Swedish-Italian Joint Venture Is To Build Novel Dual-Tilted Wind Turbines In Italy
The Stockholm headquartered company Hexicon has recently been granted a 50-50 joint venture with Bologna-based clean energy developer Avapa Energy to develop offshore floating wind farms for Italy.
Corporate & Deals
Xylem Partners With UNESCO To Sponsor Virtual Conference On Water, Megacities And Global Change
It will aim to produce an overview of water challenges and solutions that Megacities face and use to mitigate the effects of climate change, strengthen the dialogue between science and policy actors at local level, and activate the cooperation platform of the Megacities Alliance for Water and Climate (MAWAC).
Water industry trends to watch in 2022
Within these macro trends there have been some technologies and approaches that are clearly ‘leading the pack’ going into 2022.
Aqualia makes a fresh bid for growth in Georgia
Aqualia’s $180 million purchase of an 80% stake in the regulated water utility serving the Georgian capital Tbilisi will add a further 1.4 million people to the Spanish company’s global water footprint.
Our Portfolio Companies
Glanris: Three Climatetech Startups To Watch In 2022 And Beyond
Glanris gets featured on Forbes again! This time, as one of the three climatetech startups to watch in 2022, way to go!!
Water & the Environment
More than 40 percent of Americans live in counties hit by climate disasters in 2021
As climate-fueled extreme weather intensified last year, more than 80 percent of Americans experienced a heat wave. The impacts of fires and severe storms also spread.
Californians could face $500 fines for wasting water under new rules
Despite a recent wave of heavy rain and snow, a third of the state still struggles in extreme or exceptional drought conditions.
Road Salt Is Wreaking Havoc On Our Drinking Water and the Environment, Study Says
Every year, road crews dump about 25 metric tons of salt on roadways, reducing vehicular accidents by approximately 80 percent. And while that’s undoubtedly a good thing, all that salt is wreaking havoc on the environment and our drinking water.
December in Texas hottest on record in more than 130 years
Last month Texas experienced its warmest December on record since 1889, said John Nielsen-Gammon, a regents professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University who also serves as the state climatologist.
PFAS and Chemicals
High levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in anti-fogging sprays for glasses
A Duke University study nine top rated products contained PFAS, which has been linked to cancer and other health problems.
It's Time To Look Up & Not Look Away - The Brockovich Report
Erin Brockovich: "I imagine many of you, myself included, can relate to the struggle of these characters, especially if you’ve been part of a water or toxic pollution struggle in your town."
Stella Thomas is the Founder and Managing Director of the Global Water Fund, an international boutique advisory group that helps navigate water strategies for the public and private sectors. The Global Water Fund serves as a platform for multi-stakeholders to address the increasing global problem of water management seeking solutions in new technologies, financing and policies. The Global Water Fund develops and funds new technologies and creates public-private partnerships to implement water technologies on a global scale.
As the Founder of GWF, Stella is a thought leader and an expert advisor to government and business decision makers on water risks and opportunities. Stella combines her backgrounds in environmental management and economics to bridge the gap between the science, investment and entrepreneurial communities to solve the world’s water crisis. She has been actively involved creating collaborative water solutions with the U.S. Congress, United Nations, NATO, European Space Agency, UNESCO, United Nations Development Program, French Ministry of Ecology, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and Council of Water.
Thank you Stella for your industry leadership and for sharing your deep expertise and passion with our WELL community.
Technology & the Environment
Can seaweed help solve the world's plastic crisis?
Notpla, a London-based startup company that is designing a seaweed-based replacement for single-use plastic packaging. Founded in 2014, the company closed a £10 million ($13.5 million) Series A financing round last month.
