World Water Crisis Provides an Opportunity for Kiwi Water Tech Innovators Says Safe H2O
Safe H2O, a revolutionary New Zealand water purification business, is using World Water Day on 22 March this week to
drum up support for the development of New Zealand designed technology that could have the potential to aid millions of
people around the world without ready access to clean drinking water.
According to Safe H2O, the world water shortage, which is affecting countries from the United States to South Africa,
presents an opportunity for New Zealand innovators to take the lead in water technology.
“Water shortage is regarded by many as being the number one risk facing the world today,” explains Safe H2O director,
Chad Meads. “It affects more than a billion people and it is predicted that a large number of countries, including
Australia, China, Africa, and parts of North America will be under severe water stress by 2040.
“New Zealand is also vulnerable. Recent droughts, water hygiene issues (in Havelock North, for example) and natural
disasters have highlighted just how dependent some of our key industries are on a reliable water supply.”
Safe H2O points out there is a nucleus of water technology companies already active in New Zealand. Safe H2O (Hawke’s
Bay) and Forsi Innovations (Matamata), for example, are using micro and nano filtration technology to transform any
water supply into clean drinking water. Safe H2O’s technology has already attracted the attention of investment
companies from the USA.
Chad would like to see the water technology companies already here forming an informational and promotional network to
create a distinct identity for themselves and to encourage investment and national interest in water innovation. He also
sees potential for working alongside the country’s universities, government agencies and local councils, as well as
sharing ideas with similarly minded countries and organisations overseas.
“New Zealand already has a strong track record of developing and investing in technology start-up companies,” says Chad.
“Taking that natural-born Kiwi innovation and problem-solving ability and focusing it on water technology could boost
our economy, generate more jobs, increase our capability to tackle our own water supply issues and further elevate New
Zealand technology in the eyes of the world. I strongly believe that New Zealand could be one of the leading
international centres of water technology innovation, but it will take business and government working together to
achieve that goal.”
For more information on Safe H2O, visit safeh2o.co.nz.