Water reuse in the built environment gets funding boost

Epic Cleantec, a US-based water reuse technology company has secured €11.4 million in Series B funding that will allow it to expand its operations across the US and beyond.

OneWater wastewater reuse solution

Epic Cleantec has developed the OneWater system that can recycle up to 95 per cent of a building's wastewater. This water can then be reused for non-potable applications like toilet flushing, irrigation, cooling towers, and clothes washing.

While water reuse has been an option for many years, whole building systems are still not the norm. Although changing regulations, as has happened in the Netherlands, for example, means the market for such systems looks set to grow.

Aaron Tartakovsky, co-founder and CEO of Epic Cleantec, told media: "With growing water scarcity, increasing wastewater capacity challenges, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, onsite water reuse in real estate has never been more critical."

He added: "This investment empowers our growing team to scale Epic's OneWater solutions, easing the burden on municipal systems, bolstering urban resilience, and leading the charge toward a future where wasting water is history."

The OneWater system significantly lowers a building's potable water demand, and has already proved its worth in real-world environments, with owners saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on water and sewer bills and supporting water sustainability goals.

Built environment water reuse is a growth market

Tartakovsky added: "He added: "Onsite reuse isn't just about conserving water; it's about equipping properties to thrive amid future uncertainties. This latest funding reflects the extraordinary demand for our adaptable water solutions, which transform projects into cornerstones of sustainable urban infrastructure."

With the challenges facing many countries in regards water scarcity and the high cost of treatment facilities, water reuse as an integral aspect of future building developments has much to recommend it.

The funding will be used to scales operations and further advance product development.

The OneWater system has already enjoyed successful deployments in five states in the US. It has been used at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, where the system recycles greywater to help irrigate the hotel's landscaping, the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, where the company operates the largest onsite blackwater system in a commercial building in the U., saving up to 7.8 million gallons of water per year, as well as the Horton Plaza redevelopment in San Diego, and Kuilei Place in Honolulu.

The system can be used in both commercial and residential projects, and there are plans to deploy onsite water reuse systems in high-rise developments in several major American cities.

Funding round to continue epic growth

The company states it has experienced 12 times revenue growth since launch. This latest funding round was led by the family office of Dr Kathy Fields and Dr Garry Rayant, entrepreneurs, impact investors, and philanthropists known for their commitment to sustainability, healthcare, and technology.

Talking of the investment, they told media: "We are thrilled to partner with the Epic team as they pioneer groundbreaking solutions to urban water challenges. Their innovative approach not only addresses immediate water scarcity issues but also lays the foundation for resilient, sustainable cities, aligning perfectly with our commitment to big, impactful, world-changing ideas."

They were joined by J-Ventures, Echo River Capital, and other family offices with ties to real estate.