Published at: 22 March 2023

Worldwide, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe and clean drinking water. As many as 4.1 billion people lack proper sanitation facilities. According to United Nations data, the world will face a 40 per cent water shortage by 2030. An unacceptable prospect, for which attention will be drawn on World Water Day – March 22. Dutch Clean Tech, a company based in the Netherlands, is breaking new ground worldwide with a solution consisting of high-quality water treatment technology as well as an innovative financing concept that makes clean water accessible to almost any location in the world.

 

A shocking fact, drawn from the UN’s ‘World Water Development Report 2021′: globally, 80% of all municipal and industrial wastewater is discharged untreated! As a result, many rivers and lakes have become heavily polluted. This is not only a serious threat to the environment, but also means that these surface waters are no longer a safe source for drinking water production. As a result, in many parts of the world, including many places in Guatemala, there is not enough safe water to irrigate crops.

 

This must change soon. Making clean and safe water available is one of the United Nations’ key Sustainable Development Goals. These goals must be achieved by 2030. Lakes and rivers can recover, but action is required. We must stop talking and start acting now.

 

Modular and scalable installations

Things can also change quickly. Dutch Clean Tech has extensive knowledge and experience in advanced sewage and drinking water treatment plants, which are modular and easily scalable. Our technology offers 30% energy savings compared to traditional sewage treatment plants. And 40% less waste sludge. And all with a footprint much smaller than conventional treatment plants.

 

Innovative: pay for use

Equally innovative is the way in which Dutch Clean Tech offers the technology: it is this company that pays for the investment, not the towns and cities where the plants will be located. These pay only for use of the installations, concretely: the actual costs plus a fixed licence fee. This is a revolutionary and transparent new financing model. Moreover, when installations are built, up to 80 per cent of investments benefit local contractors and suppliers. Currently, Dutch Clean Tech is active in Kazakhstan, Mexico and Guatemala, in various stages of development: talks are ongoing, bids have been submitted, contracts are being prepared, as well as various pilots.

 

Plans for the future

Sander Pielkenrood, CEO of Dutch Clean Tech, has big plans for the future. “Dutch Clean Tech envisages investing US$300 million to US$400 million in various countries over a period of three to four years. The money will be raised by investors who believe in Dutch Clean Tech’s mission: making an impact with clean water. Investors get their returns, village and city residents get clean water. This is how Dutch Clean Tech brings communities together.

 

Some facts about (the lack of) clean water
– 2.2 billion people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.
– More than 4 billion people are not connected to sewage treatment plants
– 80% of all wastewater worldwide is discharged untreated.
– 30% of all hospital beds are occupied by patients with water-related diseases
– According to the United Nations, nearly 6 billion people will face water scarcity by 2050. In many countries before that.