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.
This week Seaworthy Collective is showcasing its cohort of 10 water startups. The United States Department of Agriculture announces $272M in loans and grants for rural water. The last African glaciers are melting and 99.9% of scientists agree climate emergency was caused by humans. The world is contaminated with more PFAS and uranium from Wisconsin to Australia. Meet our WELL Advisor Dr. Terry Mah, Chairperson at WaterSurplus, provider of sustainable water treatment solutions. Congrats!
This week's water fact:
80% of untreated wastewater worldwide flows back into the ecosystem, contaminating drinking water for 1.8 billion people
Tech & Innovation
Solar Water Solutions receives funding from Nefco to scale up solar-powered water purification
The Finnish family enterprise aims to fill the need for sustainable and affordable drinking water in rural areas. Unique battery-less solar-powered water treatment units help reduce e-waste and save groundwater with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Seaworthy Collective's Inaugural Cohort Startup Showcase
After 3 months of catalyzing traction and collaboration during Seaworthy Collective's inaugural venture studio, 10 startups will present their pitches.
MMSD PILOTS CHEMICAL-FREE PRIMARY WASTEWATER INNOVATION
A pilot installation of up-flow media filter technology could help the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) increase the tolerance of its wastewater treatment plants to “peak flow events” caused by rainstorms.
Corporate & Deals
Amazon’s new net-zero carbon pledge is focused on the oceans, as shipping giants pursue alternative fuels
New renewable sources of fuel such as marine ammonia will be required, and transitioning the shipping industry away from fossil fuels will require an “intense globally coordinated effort,” according to CATF.
USDA announces $272M for rural water
The funds will support 114 projects through USDA's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, to improve water infrastructure for 270,000 people.
Nearly $7 Million Awarded in First Earthshot Prizes
Costa Rica and the city of Milan were among the five winners that each received one million pounds, or nearly $1.4 million, to continue sustainability and conservation efforts during a ceremony in London.
Nordic pump service group sold for a second time
Norwegian water and wastewater pump service company Lakers Group is set to change hands for the second time in just over five years, after Summa Equity agreed to sell the business to Vestum for SEK2 billion ($227 million).
Water & the Environment
U.S. Warns Climate Poses ‘Emerging Threat’ to Financial System
Climate change is an “emerging threat” to the stability of the U.S. financial system, top federal regulators warned in a report on Thursday, setting the stage for the Biden administration to take more aggressive regulatory action to prevent climate change from upending global markets and the economy.
As Drought Conditions Worsen, California Expands State of Emergency
Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was critical for residents to step up their water-saving efforts as the state ends its second-driest year on record.
‘Case closed’: 99.9% of scientists agree climate emergency caused by humans
Trawl of 90,000 studies finds consensus, leading to call for Facebook and Twitter to curb disinformation.
A Warning That Africa’s Last Glaciers Will Soon Vanish
While African nations contribute less than 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, a U.N. report underscored the outsize impact that climate change is having on the continent.
At least 150 dead in flooding and landslides in India and Nepal
More than 150 people have died in devastating floods across India and Nepal, after some of the heaviest rainfall in over a century triggered flash flooding and landslides.
PFAS and Chemicals
‘It makes us sick’: remote NT community wants answers about uranium in its water supply
Laramba’s Indigenous residents fear they are at risk of long-term illness and say they need to know who is responsible for fixing the problem.
‘This stuff won’t go away’: PFAS chemicals contaminate Wisconsin’s waterways and soil
Water sources used by millions of humans as well as wildlife poisoned with ‘forever chemicals’.
An Environmental Procrastination Agency - The Brockovich Report
Erin Brockovich: "A recent report of PFAS-contaminated foam washing ashore North Carolina’s beaches and other coastal locations stands as a stark reminder that this shit is everywhere and needs to be dealt with."
Dr. Terry Mah is an innovative performance-oriented leader and manager with 20+ years of international water expertise and passion. Terry is the Co-Founder of Thales Water Advisors, Founder of The Malabar Group, and Co-Founder of TerraFin Partners whose activities are focused on innovation and strategies that bring positive impact to our world.
Terry also serves as an Advisor or Board member to several tech companies, innovation accelerators, investment capital firms and water "not-for-profit" organizations, including WIA. Terry spent 19 years with leading water company Veolia where he served as a member of Veolia’s Management Committee, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia North America, and Chief Operating Officer of Veolia’s Global Water Technologies group where he managed and grew businesses up to $2 billion in revenue.
We congratulate Terry for his latest position as Chairperson of the Executive Advisory Board of WaterSurplus, provider of sustainable water treatment solutions and creator of the leading global marketplace for buyers and sellers to create value by repurposing surplus water treatment equipment.