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WOTA Takes on Huge Global Water Challenges with Compact Solutions

Venture company WOTA is working on structural solutions to global water problems. Can its small-scale systems make an impact on global-scale water problems?

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WOTA CEO Yosuke Maeda explains water issues leading up to 2040 and solutions, August 31, 2023, Tokyo. (@JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

Read the full story on Japan 2 Earth - WOTA Takes on Huge Global Water Challenges with Compact Solutions

In Japan, people generally believe that turning on the tap will provide safe water. But Japan is an outlier, even worldwide. About 25% of the global population lives without access to water infrastructure. WOTA is a Japanese startup company taking on the challenge of providing structural solutions to water issues.

Instead of a large-scale civil engineering model, WOTA proposes a manufacturing industry-based model using its proprietary automated control technology for water treatment. This small-scale and efficient approach allows for constant control and monitoring of water safety during operation.

Global Water Issues

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its General Assembly. "Clean water and sanitation for all" is one of the goals to be achieved by 2030.

Demand for water is rising with the increasing global population. Simultaneously, developments in industry have improved living standards and led to an upward trend in water usage. Industrial and domestic wastewater contributes to the contamination of rivers, seas, and groundwater. Urbanization-driven development also impacts and disrupts natural water sources. 

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government estimates the individual's daily water usage in households to be approximately 214 liters.

WOTA CEO Yosuke Maeda, November 24, 2023 (©JAPAN Forward by Hidemitsu Kaito)

About 97% of the Earth's water is saltwater. Water that can be used for drinking constitutes less than 0.01% of the total water on our planet. 

Climate change brought on by global warming drastically alters precipitation patterns, creating new regions grappling with water shortages. The progression of desertification due to drought is a serious concern. By 2030, more than 40% of the world's population will be at risk of water scarcity. Meanwhile, disputes over the distribution and ownership rights of water persist worldwide.

Continue reading the full story on Japan 2 Earth to learn more about how WOTA's activities in Japan and around the world.

And find more great articles on the environment and the challenges of achieving the SDGs on our new website Japan 2 Earth (J2E), sparking a transition to a sustainable future.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Hidemitsu Kaito