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 there is debate on how floating cities are a potential solution to rising sea levels. $130T in new private capital has been pledged towards reaching net-zero carbon targets. Please make sure to watch our Water Emissaries' "We Will Wash You" music video in honor of bringing clean water and sanitation hygiene globally on World Toilet day! A 21-year-old resident reaches out for support as a toxic landfill endangers her community. Meet our WELL Advisor Nigel Wylie, a 3-time water entrepreneur. Finally, see the role fashion plays at Cop26.
This week's water fact:
Over 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces
Tech & Innovation
Lab lobster: Corsican institute hopes breeding can solve overfishing
Researchers at Stella Mare believe they have cracked the secret of captive breeding – and can save the island’s artisanal fisheries.
Can Floating Cities Save Us From Rising Sea Levels?
According to some, floating cities, which is the idea of building an island city over the ocean, might be the answer.
New method to extract magnesium sulfate from desalination
A group of Korean researchers, led by Professor Myoung-Jin Kim, from Korea Maritime and Ocean University, have succeeded in extracting 99.8 percent pure magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) from just seawater desalination brine.
Corporate & Deals
USDA invests $11M in wetlands restoration
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $11 million in funding for five Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects. The projects will bring together partners and landowners to voluntarily return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes.
Global climate group trumpets $130T pledge from asset managers
A campaign to rally the world's financial system around net-zero carbon targets now has more than $130 trillion in private capital committed to the cause.
Solenis acquired by Platinum Equity, simultaneously acquires Sigura Water
Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, has been acquired by Platinum Equity from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) and BASF in a transaction worth $5.25 billion. Both CD&R and BASF have fully exited Solenis.
Olea Edge Analytics Closes $35M Series C Round to Empower Cities with Artificial Intelligence to Recover Lost Water Revenue
Olea Edge Analytics, an intelligent edge computing platform for the water utility industry, today announced the closing of $35 million in Series C funding led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners.
Our Water Emissaries
We Will Wash You (Water Emissaries Remix)
Our Water Emissaries created a remix of the famous Queen's song "We Will Rock You" in honor of World Toilet Day, make sure to watch it!
Water & the Environment
World Toilet Day, 19 November 2021: Valuing Toilets
Each year, World Toilet Day on 19 November highlights the importance of sanitation and hygiene in driving improvements in public health, gender equality, education, economic development and environmental protection. This year’s theme is ‘Valuing Toilets’.
The humble toilet needs investment
On World Toilet Day, the UN calls for valuing this simple facility that is critical to attaining SDG 6 and enabling millions of people to move towards the eradication of poverty, the achievement of health, gender equality and dignity.
Canada floods: 18,000 people still stranded in ‘terrible, terrible disaster’
Alarm grows about climate change in British Columbia after summer wildfires wiped out vegetation that could have slowed flooding.
Ten ways to confront the climate crisis without losing hope
It’s easy to despair at the climate crisis, or to decide it’s already too late – but it’s not. Here’s how to keep the fight alive.
PFAS and Chemicals
A Horrible Stink In Bristol
A 21-year-old resident reaches out for help as a toxic landfill endangers her community.
River in India sacred to Hindus blanketed in toxic white foam
The 855-mile Yamuna is one of India’s most sacred rivers. But during this year’s celebrations, a stretch of the river is blanketed in a layer of cloudy white. It’s not snow but a toxic foam caused by industrial waste and untreated sewage, officials say.
Nigel is a leading water entrepreneur bringing novel water technologies and services globally. Starting in water-focused Singapore, he has developed over 60 projects throughout South East Asia and Southern China addressing large-scale industrial wastewater treatment and water recycling.
In Silicon Valley, Nigel supports water startups in the AI, consumer water, and material science arenas. He is the founder of Aerowater which focuses on wastewater infrastructure in North America building a network of specialty technicians empowering new technologies creating our future wastewater solutions. Keep the flow going Nigel!
Fashion & the Environment
What Was Fashion Doing at COP26?
Trading buzzwords, talking circularity and grappling with the role of clothes in the climate crisis.
