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Kolkata, AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd, the largest AWG manufacturers of the country, strengthened their foothold in the B2C segment, with a breakthrough campaign #OwnYourWater. The pioneering campaign showcases, in a witty way, how water can literally come from thin air. Indeed, when people have their own access to drinking water, they have to be at the mercy of large corporations with deep pockets overcharging them for something that is our basic right. One should not have to keep buying water containers, keep changing filters, keep calling our local shops for a refill every time they are thirsty. It is time to change the system, so the next world war is not fought for man’s most basic need. It is time to de-commodify the world’s biggest commodity.

Elaborating about the campaign, Navkaran Singh Bagga, founder and CEO AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems stated, “Through this campaign we wanted to send out a simple yet strong message of #OwnYourWater. In India, less than 50% of the population has no access to safe drinking water and about 200,000 people die every year for the lack of clean water. Half a billion of the world face severe water scarcity all year around. The fact that drinking water is soon going to be a scarce resource is not new information anymore. AKVO Atmospheric Water Generators are the solution to the problem. These machines work on a simple plug and play method and consumes one unit of electricity to run for an hour. AKVO uses a powerful proprietary organic filtration process that outputs pure drinking water that contains no harmful chemicals, bacteria, viruses or pesticides. The water collected from the AWG is almost distilled in its collection stage and then minerals are added to the water in the machine itself to make it reach recommended drinking standards. It is time to reduce our dependency on groundwater, bottled water or paying in any form for man’s basic need. We aim to make everyone water independent and change the system. When I was looking for partners for the second phase of our growth, the ideas from The Voice Company really stood out in how simple they were, and how interesting, from a content perspective.”

The creative mandate has been given to The Voice Company, a hybrid advertising and content agency based out of Gurgaon for its phased-out launch. The Voice Company, founded by Bodhisatwa Dasgupta in 2020, specializes in creating voices for emerging brands, through various mediums. The company has worked closely with Milkbasket, ibis Hotels, MG Motor, Fahrenheit, Crossbeats and a few other accounts.

Bodhisatwa Dasgupta, founder and intern, The Voice Company further added, ‘What really stood out for me was the technology AKVO had built. It was something straight out of a science fiction movie. The films sort of wrote themselves. I am happy that the films have gotten the traction we hoped they would, and the enquiries are beginning to pour in. With the great collaboration of The Hip Element who are revamping the website and the lovely people at DhikChik Productions who turned around the films in record time, I think we have a nice little launch planned.’

https://youtu.be/LCIM5E_CX0E

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Akvo has awarded its creative mandate to The Voice Company, a hybrid advertising and content agency based out of Gurgaon for its phased out launch. 

Akvo, a startup brand that’s in the business of manufacturing atmospheric water generators for large factories and offices has launched its Akvo Pod range for homes. The Voice Company, founded by Bodhisatwa Dasgupta in 2020, specializes in creating voices for emerging brands, through various mediums. The company has worked closely with Milkbasket, Ibis Hotels, MG Motor, Fahrenheit, Crossbeats and a few other accounts. 

Navkaran Singh Bagga, founder of Akvo says ‘The fact that drinking water is soon going to be a scarce resource isn’t new information anymore. So the question is, where is the water going to come from when everything else dries up? The air. And that’s what our proprietary technology does – it collects the moisture from the air, adds the essential minerals that are needed by the human body, and converts it into drinking water. When I was looking for partners for the second phase of our growth, the ideas from The Voice Company really stood out in how simple they were, and how interesting, from a content perspective.’ 

around the films in record time, I think we have a nice little launch planned.’

https://www.youtube.com/embed/f4syORMBfyI
https://youtu.be/GCkfWAacYiM
https://www.youtube.com/embed/LCIM5E_CX0E

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Kolkata-based cleantech company AKVO designs and manufactures a range of atmospheric water generators (AWG) that require no water source to produce purified drinking water from the atmosphere. Water made using AWG technology from AKVO costs only Rs 1.75 to Rs 2 per litre.

Water scarcity reports have become the norm across the globe. And our country has not managed to avert the crisis. According to a 2018 WaterAid report, over 12 percent of India’s population is already living the ‘Day Zero’ scenario, thanks to excessive groundwater pumping, an inefficient and wasteful water management system, and years of deficient rains.

Innovation is the need of the hour and a Kolkata-based company is doing just that by producing pure drinking water out of air.

Sounds like magic? Well, it is science, says AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems, which claims to be the first player in India to manufacture atmospheric water generators indigenously.

Atmospheric water generators (AWG) are machines that can produce water from air. They work on electricity and use the simple process of condensation and filtration to produce fresh and clean water, without requiring any external source of water.

Using the AWG technology, the Kolkata-based company replicates the natural process of condensation by simulating a dew point, which allows it to make water continuously, even in low humidity conditions.

The brainchild of Kolkata based second-generation entrepreneur, Navkaran Singh Bagga, who started this venture in 2017, AKVO works on a simple plug and play method and consumes one unit of electricity to run for an hour.

The brainchild of Kolkata based second-generation entrepreneur, Navkaran Singh Bagga, who started this venture in 2017, AKVO works on a simple plug and play method and consumes one unit of electricity to run for an hour. 

Says CEO Navkaran,

“The water resources in the world are fast depleting, and it is time to make the world water positive and renew our groundwater sources. One of the solutions to this is AWG. By generating your own water, you reduce the consumption of groundwater and help in renewing and replenishing our groundwater resources. These factors made me reflect and lead my team in manufacturing AKVO, which is future-ready.”

Navkaaran points out that while marketable water is available from Rs 15 to Rs 20 per litre and always has the cleanliness suspicion tag attached with it, water made using the AWG technology from AKVO costs only Rs 1.75 to Rs 2 per litre.

“AKVO gives you complete water independence without having to be bound to pipelines and water sources. Ours is India’s most cost effective machine that uses the least amount of power to generate the most amount of water, with zero environmental impact,” the Founder adds.

How AWG works

AKVO currently has five versions of the machine available: 36K which produces 100 litres/day, 55K, which produces 150 litres/day, 110K, which produces 300 litres/day, 180K, which produces 500 litres/day, and 365K that produces 1,000 litres/day. Navkaran says the company also customises the machine according to the user’s need. 

AKVO’s machine depends on the humidity and temperature in the geographical location it is installed in. It is designed to run at temperatures ranging from 10-degree Celsius to 60-degree Celsius with humidity factor of 30-80 percent, making it a viable model to deploy in coastal and hilly areas, especially in tropical countries that are rich in atmospheric moisture content. 

“We will be launching a household model in 2020 and it will be a certain game changer. We are also working on a table-top model that can replace bottled water at hotel rooms, reducing the plastic usage and also saving the environment,” says Navkaran.

“Our current machines can also be used for domestic purpose but since the capacity range starts from 100 litres per day, we are coming up with a more compact model which can produce 25 litres per day and would suit an average household,” Navkaran adds.

AKVO is using heat exchange and refrigeration technology to generate water from air. 

The team

AKVO consists of a team of 25 members, nine of which work in production, research, and prototyping. 

AKVO’s global sales and marketing head Pradeep Verma is a veteran of the water industry having worked with Eureka Forbes and then Marmon Holdings, Inc, which is a Berkshire Hathaway company. Verma has over two decades of experience in sales and business development having exposure to Indian and other South Asian markets across industries.

AKVO Team

AKVO Team

Founder Navkaran has an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK and also holds an MBA Degree from The SP Jain Institute of Management Research. 

He is also the Director at Trishan Metals Pvt Ltd which is a joint venture with IFB Industries Ltd for manufacturing specialised Automotive Grade Steel. Navkaran has also been the Chairman of ALFA Network, the Youth Forum of Assocham, which has a clear focus on promoting entrepreneurship in India. He was also the Vice-Chairman of the CII-Yi Kolkata Chapter for the year 2016.

The target audience

Navkaran says that AKVO’s target audience will comprise anyone who needs fresh pure drinking water or areas that are facing water crisis due to depleting natural resources or people looking for an environmentally safe and renewable source. 

AKVO has been successful in making its presence felt across the globe and in India. “We have a significant number of customers from all industries and I’m proud to say that at least 5,000 people consume water from our machines daily,” says Navkaran.

A dusty hamlet in Damoh region of Madhya Pradesh, with a population of around 1,500, faced acute water scarcity with no proper water system. The Public Health and Environment Department of Madhya Pradesh approached AKVO to come up with a solution. Now, after 10 months after the installation of the AKVO 365K machine unit in Hardua, villagers receive about 1,000 litres of fresh drinking water every day from air.

Over 50 machines have been installed in Chennai—which faced a severe water crisis last year—across schools, residential complexes, private institutions, etc. The company is also in talks with other big MNCs in Chennai to install the machine at its offices. 

Over 44 AKVO machines have been installed at the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium, with an order for over 350 more. 

To strengthen their proposition in the Middle East, AKVO has also installed its new 300 litre machine at SEWA (Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority). DP World, a logistics company in Dubai, has installed its first machine in its Dubai port.

NTPC, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd Haldia, and other government bodies are working with AKVO machines to provide clean drinking water.

Six machines have been installed in Lakshadweep island as well in association with the local government. 

The present outlook and future

The  Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the Niti Aayog in 2018 states that by 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual six percent loss in the country’s GDP.

“For a product like AKVO, the future is like a treasure box as there are multiple channels through which this product can serve humanity as a whole. The water produced from AKVO AWGs agree very well with the standards set by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The tests were also agreeable with the standards set by ISO 10500, 2012, and has been marked safe for drinking,” Navkaran explains. 

AKVO has grown 3X in the last three years and is looking at continuing the growth momentum for FY20-21 as well.

Presently, AKVO has sold over 200 machines worldwide. It is bootstrapped so far but is planning on raising funds soon as the firm is currently in talks with a few investors.

While speaking about the revenue, Navkaran adds, “Currently, we’re at a top line of a little over Rs 2 crore and with an expanding distribution network and new markets in the Gulf, we expects to hit our target of Rs 12 crore in the coming financial year.”

There are a few other players in the industry like Watermaker, but Navkaran claims that AKVO is the largest AWG manufacturer in India. “We’re the lowest in power consumption per litre of water generation globally,” he adds.

According to the CWMI report, 21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and others) are in the danger of reaching zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. The country clearly needs immediate and long-term solution like AKVO’s AWG to effectively address the water scarcity issue.

(Edited by Evelyn Ratnakumar)

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THIS KOLKATA-BASED STARTUP IS PROVIDING WATER SCARCITY SOLUTIONS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENTS, MNCS AND OTHER COUNTRIES

The scarcity of water across the globe has reached an alarming level. 12 % of India’s population is already living the ‘Day Zero’ scenario, thanks to excessive groundwater pumping, an inefficient and wasteful water management system and years of deficient rains.

According to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the Niti Aayog in 2018, 21 major cities are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. The report also states that by 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual 6% loss in the country’s GDP.

The Chennai Water Crisis of 2019 has established the harsh truth that we are depleting all sources of water. According to a report by WaterAid, a global advocacy group on water and sanitation, India has around 63.4 million people living in rural areas without access to clean water, more than any other country.

Call for Collaborative Effort

“Government cannot alone mitigate this human-made catastrophe, it has to be a collaborative effort with private entities or an innovation which makes people self-reliant and future-ready,” says Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder and CEO of AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems, a Kolkata based start-up that produces indigenously manufactured atmospheric water generator.

Government has announced an ambitious target of providing piped clean drinking water to all rural households by 2024. Although a worthy goal, it is unclear how the government proposes to achieve this formidable target under the current circumstances.

Bagga further adds, “Agricultural irrigation is one area that needs immediate discourse as it accounts for 90% of freshwater withdrawals. Farmers from water-stressed areas in India must be incentivized to not produce water-intensive crops. Natural aquifers and catchment areas must be preserved.”

Is there an immediate solution to the water crisis?

WHO states that an individual requires around 25 litres of water daily for meeting his/her basic hygiene and food needs. The world and our country needs an immediate and long term solution to the water issues.

However, Bagga believes that there cannot be an immediate solution to a human made disaster over centuries. He says, “It will require drastic measures that must be monitored and audited to find any long term solution.”

Talking about the seriousness of the water scarcity and how this problem needs to be dealt on a macro level, Bagga affirms, “Water must come at a price, only then people might understand the seriousness of the issue. The need is to focus on replenishing our natural dams – the aquifers and catchment areas. Rivers should not be polluted with harmful chemicals from the industry and other waste.”

He further adds, “There has to be a proper audit report on water usage. Each housing society must have its own rainwater harvesting system along with every Government building. Alternative technologies like Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) that does not depend on any water source can be installed at offices, buildings, factories, villages, for safe and pure drinking water. Even the government should emphasize and invest more in alternative and eco-friendly sources of energy. 

Akvo’s AWG Technology – Producing Pure Drinking Water

Access to clean drinking water should not be a privilege for some, it should be a right for all. When the 1948 universal declaration on human rights was written, no one could foresee a day when water would be a contested area. But living in 2020, it is not an exaggeration to say that the lack of access to clean water is one of the greatest human rights violation in the world.

Akvo AWG replicates the natural process of condensation by simulating the dew point, which allows it to make water continuously using plug and play method. The machines can generate water entirely depending on the level of humidity and atmospheric temperature which is ideal for Indian conditions to function to its optimum level.

Akvo Pod

Akvo recently introduced the country’s first home model of Atmospheric Water Generator, AKVO Pod. It is ideal for homes, offices and small businesses. This unit can make up to 50 litres of pure drinking water per day. The Pod features a superior filter system that delivers clear and healthy drinking water. It works on a simple plug and play method and consumes half a unit of electricity to run for an hour.

Positive Impact of Akvo’s Projects Across the Globe

For a product like AKVO, the future is like a treasure box as there are multiple channels through which this product can serve the humanity as a whole. It is all about breaking the chain and setting a new order for the future generations.

Hardua Mangarh is a dusty hamlet in Damoh region of Madhya Pradesh, with a population of around 1,500 faced acute water scarcity with no proper water system even seven decades, post-independence. It was a daily ordeal for the populace of Damoh region to walk a minimum of 4 km and then form a human chain or human ladder going down the steep well to fetch a bucket of water.

The Public Health & Environment Department of Madhya Pradesh approached Akvo to come up with a solution. Now after a year of the installation of the Akvo 365K machine unit in Hardua Mangarh, villagers receive about 1000 ltrs of fresh drinking water every day from air.

Akvo also played an instrumental role in providing an alternative solution in water scarcity hit Chennai during the summer months of 2019 which drew global attention. The Greater Chennai Corporation had installed AKVO atmospheric water generator in its premises on a trial basis. The company is in talks with other big MNCs in Chennai to install the machine at its offices. Currently, over 50 machines have been installed in Chennai across schools, residential complexes, private institutions and other big names like NTPC and Indian Oil Corporation.

Hero Moto Corp has installed one machine in its plant in Haryana, and other government bodies are also trusting Akvo machines in providing clean drinking water. Six machines have been installed in Lakshadweep Island as well in association with the local government.

Over 44 AKVO machines have been installed at the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium, with an order for over 350 more. To strengthen their proposition in the Middle East, Akvo have also installed a 300 litre machine at Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority.

Akvo’s roadmap

Currently, besides the industrial, corporate and housing complex units, Akvo is offering the 50-liter version of AKVO POD and will soon launch the 25-liter model for nuclear families as well. Bagga says, “We are also working incessantly on other smaller models which can replace bottled water at hotel rooms, reducing the plastic usage and also saving the environment.”

“We are 100% bootstrapped. We adopted this route as it will allow us to build a solid bottom-line focused business approach first. However, we are planning on raising funds soon. We are currently in talks with a few investors,” concludes Bagga.

Read full article https://unkrate.com/2020/07/this-kolkata-based-startup-is-providing-water-scarcity-solutions-to-the-state-governments-mncs-and-other-countries/?fbclid=IwAR3HG1vTv2MCNnhrbd2ZatPDDhQvOjN6X3rCIFl-3617A2ayCZAn974CS0Y

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World Environment Day Interview: Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder and CEO, AKVO Atmospheric Water System

December 10, 2020

This interview is a part of the World Environment Day 2020 Interview Series. We welcome views from environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders on present environmental challenges and request their innovative ideas to find sustainable solutions to solve them.

Name: Navkaran
Singh Bagga

Organization: AKVO
Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd.

Designation: Founder
and CEO

Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder and CEO, AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems

ST: According to you what is
the biggest environmental threat in the world at present?

Navkaran Singh Bagga:  Water scarcity reports have become the norm across the globe. Cape Town and its impending water scarcity,The Chennai Water Crisis of 2019 has established the harsh truth that we are depleting all sources of water. Water is the driving force of all life on earth. Every one out of nine people lack access to clean drinking water. 1.8 billion people in seventeen countries with India in the extremely high category of water shortage within next few years is a matter of grave concern. Thus, a
quarter of the world’s population, appear to be veering towards an un-mitigatable water crisis.

Currently India holds the undesirable title of having the highest number of rural people without access to clean water. Although being home to nearly a sixth of the world’s population, India only gets 4% of the Earth’s fresh water. Already more than half of Asia’s third-biggest economy faces high water stress. 70% of Indians have poor or no access to safe drinking water and 22% of Indians do not have water reaching their homes and walk minimum more than a kilometre to reach a proper source. With only 60% of water available for consumption by 2030 we are alarmingly marching towards a crisis that will require human intervention right away otherwise we will stare at a third world war and this time over water.

Unfortunately, it is a sad truth that as a nation we still depend heavily on groundwater availability, be it for farming, drinking, washing, construction and any other miscellaneous use. 3.8 billion people could be living under water stressed conditions by 2025. 

According to the figures of the report by WaterAid, a global advocacy group on water and sanitation; India has around 63.4 million people living in rural areas without access to clean water, more than any other country. The figures are part of ‘Wild Water, State of the World’s Water 2017’, a report by WaterAid. That is more than the combined population of Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand. Compared globally, that is as many people as who live in Australia, Sweden, Sri Lanka and Bulgaria–combined.

12 per cent of India’s population is already living the ‘Day Zero’ scenario, thanks to excessive groundwater pumping, an inefficient and wasteful water management system running for years has rendered irreparable loss and depletion of the water reserves. According to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the Niti Aayog in 2018, 21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and others) are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. The CWMI report also states that by 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual six per cent loss in the country’s GDP.

ST: What do you think a common person can do to help the environment?

Navkaran Singh Bagga: I think it should be a basic responsibility of every individual to do their bit to help and save the environment. The year 2020 has given us a good shake up and reminded us that we are not doing enough to help Mother Nature. It is high time that we pulled up our socks and tried. It does not require a lot of financial expenses or effort and anyone can take a few measures. Reuse, Reduce and Recycle should be our mantra. We should try to use eco-friendly and biodegradable things. Every individual can take very simple steps like reducing water wastage, reducing use of paper, carpooling, switching to alternates of plastic, afforestation, using energy efficient appliances. Moreover, we should try to look for alternate sources of energy and water. Even the government should emphasize and invest more on alternative and eco-friendly sources of energy.  Embracing new and alternative technology is also a step forward. Being self-sufficient and not being dependent on earth’s natural resources is the key to a better future. The education system should incorporate the issue of global climate change in a more elaborate manner to make the future generations more aware and take charge of the situation. As an individual, I have always been very conscious about the environment and have always strived to use the best environmental practices in my personal life.

ST: What message do you have for the present and future generations?

Navkaran Singh Bagga: “Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment” says the United Nations. The earth’s temperature is rising, ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, species are getting extinct – a horrid future is staring us in the face. If we do not act right away, it might be too late. Hence, it has now become an imperative for present and future generations to save the environment if they want to stay on planet Earth. We must look for ways to reduce carbon dioxide emission and our carbon footprint. We must all work towards a sustainable future. We need more crusaders like Greta Thunberg who will make the world a better place to live in.

Try to inculcate the habit of being environmentally responsible living in your children from a very young age so that they don’t take their home for granted. Moreover, for entrepreneurs who are looking for areas to invest, I would suggest that instead of looking just for exciting business opportunities, look for problems which are worth solving. Thus, along with doing a business, you will also be helping the society and making the world a better place.

ST: What is the significance of ‘World Environment Day’ at the present time?

Navkaran Singh Bagga: The theme for World Environment Day 2020 is biodiversity, a concern that is both imperative and existential. As I mentioned earlier, 2020 has been a wakeup call for us. Recent events, from bushfires in Brazil, the United States, and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa and now in India and of course, a global pandemic prove the interdependence of humans and the network in which they exist. This World Environment Day should be a reminder that humans do not own this planet. We are mere inhabitants and we must learn to co-exist with nature else we might cease to exist. With our increasing demands, humans have pushed nature beyond its limit. It would take 1.6 Earths to meet the demands that humans make of nature each year. If we continue on this path, the biodiversity loss will have severe implications for humanity, including the collapse of food and health systems. When we destroy biodiversity, we destroy the system that supports human life. Reversing biodiversity loss is the only way to restore and sustain a healthy planet.  This will only be possible when we understand and appreciate that the world we live in functions as a whole system.  It is time to redefine our relationship with nature and put nature at the heart of our decision-making. It is, indeed, ‘Time for Nature’.

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AWGs are the ideal solution for India’s drinking water problems: Avko Atmospheric Water Systems

The company’s founder and CEO, Navkaran Singh Bagga said that alternative technologies like atmospheric water generators (AWG) that do not depend on any water source can be installed at offices, buildings, factories, villages, for safe and pure drinking water

Amid India’s battle with drinking water woes, an exchange of words recently took place between the BJP and the Congress after Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the potential of creating water from atmospheric moisture.

Moneycontrol caught up with Navkaran Singh Bagga, founder and CEO of Avko Atmospheric Water Systems to understand the state of play of atmospheric water generators (AWG) and its use in India.

Excerpts:

What are the immediate and long-term solutions to the water crisis that our country needs to mitigate? How important will be the collaborative approach between brands, governments, and people?

There cannot be an immediate solution to a manmade disaster developed over centuries. It will require drastic measures that must be monitored and audited to find any long-term solution. Parts of India remain in perpetual drought to keep the taps flowing in the major cities.

Water must come at a price, only then people might understand the seriousness of the issue. The need is to focus on replenishing our natural dams—the aquifers and catchment areas. Rivers should not be polluted with harmful chemicals from the industry and other waste. Preservation of natural aquifers and catchment areas are of utmost importance.

There has to be a proper audit report on water usage. Each housing society must have its own rainwater harvesting system along with every Government building. Alternative technologies like atmospheric water generator (AWG) that does not depend on any water source can be installed at offices, buildings, factories, villages, for safe and pure drinking water. Even the government should emphasize and invest more on alternative and eco-friendly sources of energy.

Government cannot alone mitigate this catastrophe, it has to be a collaborative effort with private entities or an innovation like AKVO which makes people self-reliant and future ready.

Government has announced an ambitious target of providing piped clean drinking water to all rural households by 2024. Although a worthy goal, it is unclear how the government proposes to achieve this formidable target under the current circumstances.

Agricultural irrigation is one area that needs immediate discourse as it accounts for 90 percent of freshwater withdrawals. Farmers from water stressed areas in India must be incentivised to not produce water intensive crops. Natural aquifers and catchment areas must be preserved.

What are the various versions of the machine available?

We mostly catered to industrial use in the beginning with 100, 150, 300, 500 up to 1000 litres, but now, we also have the all new AKVO POD, which is meant for homes, offices and small establishments.

This unit can make up to 50 litres of pure drinking water per day. We are trying in our own way to address various water crisis laden situations across cities, which gives me personally and my team immense satisfaction. With a lifetime supply of limitless water, now you truly own your water.

The Covid-19 situation has taught us to hold dear many things we took for granted, it actually was a ready reckoner for the human error we were perpetrating towards nature, which could not breathe and was dying. Lockdown showed glimpses of natural and animal life coming back to normalcy which was missing for a generation world over.

Covid-19 has taught us is to act responsibly, to become more conscious of natural resources and preserve it and become future ready with technologies that do not exploit nature. AKVO AWG is just the human solution to the dilemma about drinking water.

What do you think is most essential right now for the AWG market?

The most vital thing at the moment is educating people on the impending water crisis and the need for using alternative resources. Most of our fellow citizens are not understanding the seriousness of the issue.

The pandemic has taught us that we need to be future ready and independent. Being self-sufficient and not being dependent on earth’s natural resources is the key to a better future Embracing new and alternative technology is a step forward.

People need to learn that in order to survive we must come up with immediate and long-term solutions. The education system should incorporate the issue of global climate change in a more elaborate manner to make the future generations more aware and take charge of the situation.

What sets you apart from other AWG manufacturers in the country?

We are the largest indigenous manufactures of AWG machines in the country. AKVO, gives you complete water independence without having to be bound to pipe lines and water sources, running just by plug and play method, providing India’s most cost effective machine that has the lowest power consumption per litre globally to generate the most amount of water – with zero environmental impact.

The bottled cans used at homes and offices which calls itself mineral water and is marketed anywhere between Rs 4.50 to Rs 5.00 per litre, always has the cleanliness suspicion tag attached with it, while the water that you consume from AKVO machines will cost only Rs 1.75 to Rs 2.00 per litre, it is just the cost of electricity.

AKVO works on a simple plug and play method and consumes one unit of electricity to run for an hour. Also, at AKVO, we use a powerful proprietary organic filtration process that outputs pure drinking water that contains no harmful chemicals, bacteria, viruses or pesticides.

The water collected from our AWG is almost distilled in its collection stage and then minerals are added to the water in the machine itself to make it reach recommended drinking standards.

After extensive testing, the water produced from these generators agree very well with the standards set by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The tests were also agreeable with the standards set by ISO 10500, 2012 (2nd revision) and has been marked safe for drinking.

Which are the main markets for AKVO in India and who have been your biggest patrons in the country?

AKVO played an instrumental role in providing an alternative solution in water scarcity hit Chennai during the summer months of 2019 which drew global attention.

The Greater Chennai Corporation had installed AKVO atmospheric water generator in its premises on a trial basis. The company is in talks with other big MNCs in Chennai to install the machine at its offices.

Currently, over 50 machines have been installed in Chennai across schools, residential complexes, private institutions etc. NTPC, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Haldia (6 machines running and providing water to 900 factory workers), Hero Moto Corp has installed one machine in its plant in Haryana, and other government bodies are also trusting AKVO machines in providing clean drinking water. Six machines have been installed in Lakshadweep Island as well in association with the local government.

AKVO has now become India’s largest AWG manufacturer with over 350 machines sold in India and worldwide. We have enquiries coming in almost every day as people have started to realize the value of water and the potential of this technology.

Are you present in international markets? If yes, what are the Governments and public/private sector units you are collaborating with?

We have a strong presence in several international markets. The Gulf countries have been one of our biggest clients owing to the climatic conditions there. We are also present in South Asian countries, South Africa, South America.

Over 44 AKVO machines have been installed at the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium, with an order for over 350 more. We have worked with the Supreme Committee of Design and Legacy, Qatar for this.

We are also currently working with the Govt. of Phillipines. Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority (SEVA), DP World in Dubai have been our clients. We also have AKVO machines running in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Cape Town, Santiago and Chile.

Any challenges you are facing in marketing the product in the country?

Lot of people do not believe that water is something they should pay for but what they do not understand is water, especially drinking water, should be treated as an utility item, just like cooking gas or electricity. The idea needs to be instilled in people.

How have you been funded? What has been your investment and what is the investment plan for the future?

We are 100 percent bootstrapped. We adopted this route as it will allow us to build a solid bottom-line focused business approach first. We have made an investment of upward of 1.5 million dollars and plan to invest a further of 10 million dollars in the next two years towards research and development, marketing, expansion of our product line.

APN News

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APN News

Hyderabad, If the current pandemic has brought with it a lesson, it is that of being self-sufficient.  Each growing day, it is making the human race realize the importance of being ready for an uncertain future. To meet this challenge to some extent, India’s largest AWG manufacturers, AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd have introduced the country’s first home model of Atmospheric Water Generator, AKVO Pod, in Hyderabad, a machine that can produce pure and healthy drinking water from air. The machine is ideal for homes, offices and small businesses and can make up to 50 litres of pure drinking water per day. AKVO atmospheric water generators are equipped with a superior filter system that has an antimicrobial air filter to remove impurities from the air and UV Type C filtration to destroy any harmful microbes.

The water warrior, Mr. Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder and CEO AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd, speaking about the launch of the all new AKVO POD, the first indigenously Made in India, atmospheric water generatorsaid, “Although being home to nearly a sixth of the world’s population, India only gets 4% of the Earth’s fresh water. It has been our endeavour to change the dynamics by bringing water supply to the Indian masses at a very cost efficient and sustained manner. 70% of Indians have poor or no access to safe drinking water and 22% of Indians do not have water reaching their homes. With only 60% of water available for consumption by 2030 we are alarmingly marching towards a crisis that will require human intervention right away otherwise we will stare at a third world war and this time over water.”

He further added, “During this ongoing pandemic people are unsure about the safety and cleanliness of the bottled water jars used widely in offices and homes as it changes many hands and may be contaminated. This has propelled the demand for a home/office machine which can produce pure drinking water without any contamination. Our machines come with the highest level of UV filtration – Type C- that can help kill viruses and bacteria of the highest order. We hope, with AKVO Pod, we can reduce some of our dependency on groundwater and make ourselves future ready and water independent.”

In 2019, a sluggish monsoon that brought little rainfall in Telangana, had put Hyderabad on the brink of a water crisis with only 48 days of drinking water left. After Chennai, it would have been the second city to run out of water. Although the state Government has taken necessary measures to avoid such a circumstance, it is but a harsh reality that the entire country is staring at the face of acute water crisis. 12 per cent of India’s population is already living the ‘Day Zero’ scenario, thanks to excessive groundwater pumping, an inefficient and wasteful water management system and years of deficient rains. According to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the Niti Aayog in 2018, 21 major cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and others are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. The Chennai water crisis of last year gave an experience of the seriousness of the issue. The CWMI report also states that by 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual six per cent loss in the country’s GDP. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that an individual requires around 25 litres of water daily for meeting his/her basic hygiene and food needs. The world and our country need an immediate and long-term solution to the water issues.

AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems is a pioneer in producing India’s first indigenously manufactured atmospheric water generator. AKVO Pod provides safe and pure drinking water using the AWG technology which replicates the natural process of condensation by simulating a dew point, which allows it to make water continuously, even in low humidity conditions. AKVO Pod works on a simple plug and play method and consumes half a unit of electricity to run for an hour. The AKVO Pod has been priced at INR 99,000 inclusive of GST with direct to home delivery and installation.

AKVO has sold over 200 machines in India and Gulf countries. Moreover, the water generated by AKVO is cheaper than any RO/UV or bottled market water. While the RO/UV filtrated water wastes 4 litres of water for just 1 litre of drinking water, AKVO has zero water wastage. The bottled mineral water jars which is marketed is available anywhere between INR 4.50 to INR 5.00 per litre and always has the cleanliness suspicion tag attached with it, while the cost of water generated through AKVO AWG is only INR 1.75 to INR 2.00 per litre. The products of AKVO are designed to run at temperatures ranging from 10-degree Celsius to 60-degree Celsius with humidity factor of 30-80%, making it a viable model to deploy in coastal and hilly areas, especially in tropical countries that are rich in atmospheric moisture content. Even bigger units ranging from a 100 litres per day to 1000 litres per day are also available for larger usage.  

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Business World

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Pure Drinking Water ‘From Air’ Units For Home @Rs 1 Lakh: AKVO

But with no regulation or certification for Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG), companies cannot package and market these products says Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder & CEO, AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems

Say good bye to water scarcity at home or in your office. Kolkata-based firm AKVO Water System brings the ‘Akvo Pod‘, an atmospheric water generator ideal for homes, offices and small businesses. This unit can make up to 50 liters of pure drinking water per day (apart from offering bigger machines for generating 1000 liters per day and more). The Akvo Pod, the company claims, uses a superior filter system that delivers pure and healthy drinking water at only Rs 2 per liter. “The only cost to operate the machine is its electric consumption making it a cost effective machine that uses the least amount of power to generate the most amount of water – with zero environmental impact,” says Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder & CEO, AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems.

Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) are machines that can produce water from air. They work on electricity and use the simple process of condensation and filtration to produce fresh and clean water which can be used as per one’s needs. No external source of water is required whatsoever. There are only a handful of companies that are offering such products, AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems being one of them.

The landing cost of Akvo Pod, Bagga says, is Rs 99,000 including complete installation and change of filters once every year. The company is also offering a bigger unit with the daily capacity of 100 liters per day (lpd) at Rs 1.99 lakh, for home/office use. Even bigger units are also available for larger usage.

Bagga says AKVO works on a simple plug and play method and consumes one unit of electricity to run for an hour. AKVO has now become India’s largest AWG manufacturer with over 200 machines sold in India and Gulf countries.

The company says its products are designed to run at temperatures ranging from 10-degree Celsius to 60-degree Celsius with humidity factor of 30-80%, making it a viable model to deploy in coastal and hilly areas, especially in tropical countries that are rich in atmospheric moisture content. The machines are rated for different run times and generation capacities. For example, one model can run for 24 hours and produce 100 litres in ideal condition. It draws 250Wh of energy per litre of water generated which also reduces the stress on the grid when runs on power generated from localised renewable sources.

Big Challenge 

There has been and will be multiple challenges, says Bagga. “We are facing a lot of challenges policy wise at the moment as till now there is no BIS Certification for AWG’s but BIS Certification is available for RO and UV filtered water. Although AKVO AWGs is way ahead in terms of the purity of the water, TDS levels yet we cannot package and market this water as there is no opportunity to apply for certification from Government. Secondly, the ever-growing dependence on underground water sources must stop. With more stringent policies which is the need of the hour unethical usage of groundwater and boring needs to be discontinued. The scale of AWGs in India is enormous and with the right guidelines,” Bagga adds who holds an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK and also hold an MBA Degree from The SP Jain Institute of Management Research.

Currently, AKVO has a top line of a little over Rs 2 crore and with an expanding distribution network and new markets in the Gulf, it expects to hit its target of Rs 12 crore in the coming financial year. “We’ve grown 3x in the last 3 years. And for FY 20-21 we will continue our growth momentum,” says Bagga.

Successful Usage 

AKVO played an instrumental role in providing an alternative solution in water scarcity hit Chennai during the summer months of 2019 which drew global attention. The Greater Chennai Corporation had installed AKVO atmospheric water generator in its premises on a trial basis. The company is in talks with other big MNCs in Chennai to install the machine at its offices. Currently over 50 machines have been installed in Chennai across schools, residential complexes, private institutions etc.

Over 44 AKVO machines have been installed at the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium, with an order for over 350 more. To strengthen their proposition in the Middle East AKVO atmospheric water systems have also installed their new 300 litre machine at SEWA (Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority). DP World has already installed their first machine in their Dubai port.

NTPC, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Haldia (6 machines running and providing water to 900 factory workers), Hero Moto Corp has installed one machine in its plant in Haryana, and other government bodies are also trusting AKVO machines in providing clean drinking water. Six machines have been installed in Lakshadweep Island as well in association with the local government.

“We are also setting up a 50-litre machine at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai which will run on a trial basis,” says Bagga.

What’s next for AKVO? “We are also working on a tabletop model which can replace bottled water at hotel rooms, reducing the plastic usage and also saving the environment,” says Bagga.

Cost Dynamics

This water is cheaper than any RO/UV or bottled market water, the company claims. “While the RO/UV filtrated water wastes 4 litres of water for just 1 litre of drinking water, our machine has zero water wastage. The bottled mineral water which is marketed is available anywhere between INR 4.50 to INR 5.00 per litre and always has the cleanliness suspicion tag attached with it, while ours costs only INR 1.75 to INR 2.00 per litre,” Bagga says.

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RJ Deepika

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WATER FROM AIR! Miracle Invention “AKVO” | No More WATER Scarcity | Future of Water
Recently I have got this opportunity to endorse this Miraculous Product “AKVOPOD” And I am so excited to share the whole story of getting Associated with this Brand AKVO. I am Thankful to Mr. Navkaran Singh Bagga for this opportunity and for sharing some valuable info about Akvo in this Video. Please Do Not Miss more Important Information about this product if you want to get the one at your Home, College or Office.
Watch the full story and learn more about the revolutionary “AKVOPOD” by clicking here.

Getting water straight from air at home

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Chennai, On National Technology Day, that marks India’s progress in the field of science and technology,  AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd, introduced the home model of their Atmospheric Water Generator, AKVO Pod.

AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems is a pioneer in producing India’s first indigenously manufactured atmospheric water generator. AKVO provides safe and pure drinking water using the AWG (Atmospheric Water Generator) technology which replicates the natural process of condensation by simulating a dew point, which allows it to make water continuously, even in low humidity conditions. AKVO works on a simple plug and play method and consumes one unit of electricity to run for an hour.

AKVO has now become India’s largest AWG manufacturer with over 200 machines sold in India and Gulf countries. Moreover, this water is cheaper than any RO/UV or bottled market water. While the RO/UV filtrated water wastes 4 litres of water for just 1 litre of drinking water, AKVO has zero water wastage. The bottled mineral water which is marketed is available anywhere between INR 4.50 to INR 5.00 per litre and always has the cleanliness suspicion tag attached with it, while ours costs only INR 1.75 to INR 2.00 per litre.

The AKVO Pod has been priced at INR 99, 000 plus GST as applicable and the pre-booking starts from 11th May 2020. Customers can pre-book an AKVO Pod for an initial sum of Rs. 5,000 during the inaugural launch period which will last till July 22nd, 2020. Customers pre-booking an AKVO Pod, have an added advantage of availing a discount of Rs.15,000 on the machine will also be applicable. AKVO Pod will be delivered within 45 days of the booking and comes with a 1-year warranty.

 At one hand, when the world is in the grasp of a vicious disease and is grappling for its survival, it is also peak summertime in the country which means acute water scarcity. To help ease the struggle, AKVO has come up with a remarkable solution through AKVO Pod. It is ideal for homes, offices and small businesses. This unit can make up to 50 litres of pure drinking water per day. The AKVO Pod features a superior filter system that delivers clear and healthy drinking water.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder and CEO AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd stated, “Although being home to nearly a sixth of the world’s population, India only gets 4% of the Earth’s fresh water. It has been our endeavour to change the dynamics by bringing water supply to the Indian masses at a very cost efficient and sustained manner. 70% of Indians have poor or no access to safe drinking water and 22% of Indians do not have water reaching their homes. With only 60% of water available for consumption by 2030 we are alarmingly marching towards a crisis that will require human intervention right away otherwise we will stare at a third world war and this time over water. We had always received a demand from our patrons for a unit that was suitable for their homes and offices. AKVO Pod is an answer to that requirement. We hope, with this, we can reduce some of our dependency on groundwater and make ourselves future ready.”

Water scarcity reports have become the norm across the globe. Our country is not far behind on the trend. 12 per cent of India’s population is already living the ‘Day Zero’ scenario, thanks to excessive groundwater pumping, an inefficient and wasteful water management system and years of deficient rains.

According to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the Niti Aayog in 2018, 21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and others) are racing to reach zero groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people. The Chennai water crisis of last year gave an experience of the seriousness of the issue.

 The CWMI report also states that by 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual six per cent loss in the country’s GDP. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that an individual requires around 25 litres of water daily for meeting his/her basic hygiene and food needs. The world and our country need an immediate and long-term solution to the water issues.

While the entire country is under lockdown and manufacturing processes have halted all across, AKVO is ready to bring AKVO Pod in the market. They had been working on building this machine for a year, especially, keeping in the mind the Chennai Water Crisis of 2019 that made global headlines. Chennai has been one of the biggest markets for AKVO in the country with over 50 machines sold.

About: AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt Ltd:

AKVO’s Atmospheric Water Generators are created to tackle water problems and provide safe and pure drinking water using the air-to-water technology which replicates the natural process of condensation by simulating a dew point, which allows it to make water continuously, even in low humidity conditions. The endeavour of AKVO is to combat water issues experienced worldwide by providing environmentally conscious water options to homes, businesses, industries, defence forces and in an emergency as a complete disaster relief solution. AKVO is founded by Mr. Navkaran Singh Bagga, a second-generation entrepreneur from Kolkata in India.  Visit us at www.akvosphere.com/ Call us on 1-800-313-8582.