This startup popularizing the tech that generates water from atmospheric air

Water scarcity is a perennial problem in many places as water table is depleting in many places. Furthermore, poor quality of available water is also a big problem as many water sources are contaminated. Aryav AWG, a startup, says it has a viable solution for drinking water problem as it's in the business of making atmospheric water generators (AWGs). The water could also be used for commercial applications as well - water ATMs, bottling, etc.

"Aryav has come up with a water generator that can create water out of the atmosphere by condensing moisture. The water could also be used for commercial applications as well - water ATMs, bottling, etc," Sanjay Kumar Garg, one of the founders of Aryav AWG, tells Bizz Buzz in an exclusive interaction.

Could you elaborate on the water crisis you are referring to?

Ground water is depleting. There are global warnings that by 2030, around 65 per cent people will be living in water stressed areas. Getting a pure drinking water is a challenge these days in developing and under developed countries.

However, there are many more alternate solutions that are coming up like water treatment, desalination plants etc. but in those solutions, again there are challenges. They need input water. Furthermore, there will be lots of water wastage as well as water quality issues.

Technology has made our life easier. There are also instances of developing innovative practices and technological advancements that are leading to more proficient recycling and reuse in areas that are having insufficient water. Among the other technological solutions to water scarcity, there is a technology- AWG (atmospheric water generator) that replicates the natural process of condensation by simulating a dew point, which permits it to make water continuously, even in low humidity conditions.

Air-to-water technology converts water vapour in the air (humidity) into water. Atmospheric water generators replicate this natural process of condensation by simulating the dew point, which allows it to make water continuously. The condenser transforms the vapour in the air from gas to a liquid (water) by continuously reaching the dew point with cool air. The primary issue of water scarcity is entirely different. Water being one of the necessities for the continuation of life, it does not have an alternative either for you or any living being on earth or nature as a whole.

How is your solution commercially viable?

Aryav has come up with a water generator that can create water out of the atmosphere by condensing moisture. The water could also be used for commercial applications as well - water ATMs, bottling, etc.

Considering that the 20 litres bottle costs around Rs 80 to 90, which means the cost of water is Rs. 4 to Rs. 4.5 per litre. But the quality of that water is questionable. It is just a packaging drinking water, while the cost of water generation in Aryav AWG is around Rs 1.75 per cent, which is much lesser than bottled water.

The products of Aryav are designed to run at temperatures ranging from 10 degree celsius to 60 degree celsius with a humidity factor of 30-80 per cent, making it a viable model to deploy in coastal and hilly areas, especially in tropical States that are rich in atmospheric moisture content.

Aryav AWG is producing AWGs with capacity ranging from 100 litres a day to 5,000 litres a day, which suit cities, villages, commercial centres, schools, hospitals, offices, residential buildings, private homes, and more.

Above all, Aryav gives these machines on rental model also, which means no capital expenditure for those who don't want to spend upfront.

How effective are the solutions you are offering?

The company's solutions are the most effective and economical way to solve the pressing issue of drinking water scarcity in any location and at any time, and also enable the elimination of carbon-intensive supply chains and environmentally-harmful plastic waste.

This concept is catching up as there are lots of areas, where there is no groundwater and people are migrating because of the non-availability of piped or groundwater. These machines work wonders over there. The government of India is also recognizing this technology and wanted it to be promoted to get drinking water. In South India, this concept is already well received, and globally also people are using this technology and extracting water.

What about the affordability factor?

The cost of water generated from this machine is somewhere around Rs 1.5-2 per litre if the electricity tariff is at Rs 7 a unit. However, the cost of water depends on electricity tariffs, relative humidity, and ambient temperature as well. It is far better and more economical than some other water sources, such as bottled water, home-distilled water, and water tanks.

Aryav AWG gives machine on rental also, no upfront cost means better affordability.

What are your future plans?

Water scarcity will be a top priority in the upcoming decade. Aryav develops Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) to combat the problem at the global level and to provide affordable, clean, and healthy water to everyone facing a water shortage or a water contamination problem, through environmentally sustainable technological solutions.

We are planning to develop few machines which will generate water through wind power and to increase the capacity from 5000LPD to 20000 LPD.

We are also in the process of appointing global channel partners for our company. We have already our partners in Dubai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Do you think the policies of the government towards startups are supportive?

Entrepreneurs are good for the economy and employment and hence the government supports innovative startups and helps them grow. In order to promote and support entrepreneurs, the government has also created a ministry (department) dedicated to helping new businesses.

The government is taking steps to reduce the regulatory burden on entrepreneurs. These include granting permits more quickly – or even automatically – and making greater use of digital technology. They are also providing services online, reducing the regulatory burden on entrepreneurs. IT also offers unlimited scope for new products or for making business processes more efficient.

How has your journey as an entrepreneur been until now?

I am one of the founders of Aryav AWG, a subsidiary of Aryav. I have over 24 years of experience of which more than 14 years have been dedicated to the sustainable energy industry.

I have been associated with Aryav Brand since the beginning of 2007. Prior to that, I worked with many companies including Tuflex India, and Sandvik Asia private Limited and was the man behind their strong growth.

I started my career in 2008 as an entrepreneur from Sangrur in Punjab with a determination to secure humanity and a vision to transform the Planet. Later, I founded Aryav Green Energy Solutions Private Limited in 2010 with a vision to make solar power available to households at a low cost.

In 2017, I founded Aryav Ecotech with a vision to work on waste management and have a manufacturing plant to convert the waste tyres into valuable and useable products.

In 2019, I started to work on solving water challenges and founded Aryav AWG, which was set up with the mission to ease dependence on scarce water resources and provide water on a sustainable basis wherever required.

Did you raise any funds till now?

Ours is a bootstrapped company till we got the Startup India seed fund in the form of debenture in 2022.

Is it easy to raise funds for a new company?

I will say "NO", we looked for investor or any kind of Government fund since last 15 months but didn't succeed. The one thing we realized in this startup funding world that if you are dedicated, working towards your goal, irrespective of getting funded or not, people will join you and you will be recognized sooner or later. Rest will follow.