WaterStart

08/31/2026

🎙️Thanks to Heather Brown and the Home Means podcast for a great conversation about Nevada’s waterfuture!

Desert Research Institute President Dr. Kumud Acharya recently joined the podcast to discuss the water challenges facing Las Vegas and the role research, innovation and collaboration play in building a more sustainable future.

As one of WaterStart’s founding partners, DRI has been an important part of Nevada’s water innovation ecosystem from the beginning. We especially appreciated the shout-out to WaterStart around the 25-minute mark and the recognition of Nevada’s role as a test bed for innovative water technology solutions.

💧 Give it a listen to hear more about the work underway to address Nevada’s water challenges: bit.ly/homemeanspodcastdri

DRI President Kumud Acharya sits down with Host Heather Brown to di...

08/28/2026

WORLD WATER WEEK | Building a WaterWise Economy. 💧

Water innovation isn't only about saving water. It's also about creating jobs, attracting investment and building a more resilient economy.

WaterStart's work has already generated measurable results:
💧 51 funded projects
💰 $4.6 million invested in water innovation
📈 72% of funded pilots adopted by utilities
💵 $33+ million in economic impact in Nevada

And the opportunity extends far beyond individual statistics.

In 2024, WaterStart partnered with the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development - GOED to develop the “Building a WaterWise Economy” report, examining how Nevada can align water management and economic development to create a more sustainable path for growth.

The goal isn't to choose between a strong economy and a sustainable water future. It's to build both — together.

Watch the video to learn more about how Nevada is building a WaterWise economy: https://buff.ly/s6KlPQz

08/27/2026

WORLD WATER WEEK | Innovation in action 💧

Water innovation isn't just an idea. It's already making a difference.

Here are a few examples from WaterStart's work:

🏎️ Helping F1 conserve water
A first-of-its-kind pilot installed an atmospheric water generator on a MGM Grand cooling tower, capturing humidity and recycling it into usable water, helping support the Las Vegas Grand Prix's goal of net-zero water consumption.

🔎 Finding problems before they become bigger problems
WaterStart worked with the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Syrinix to pilot intelligent pipeline monitoring. Within a week, the technology helped identify the cause of water pressure spikes contributing to pipeline breaks.

🏀 Keeping kids cool
At the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Clubhouse, an innovative air rotation cooling system replaced an outdated swamp cooler. The new system is expected to save approximately 850,000 gallons of water every year.

Different technologies. Different challenges. One common thread: Innovation works when we put it into the real world.

Explore more WaterStart success stories: https://buff.ly/5Xzyk8w

08/26/2026

WORLD WATER WEEK | Why Nevada? 💧

Nevada is a great place to test water technology, but it’s more than that. It’s also a place where water innovators can grow and scale.

The state offers a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators:
🔬 A collaborative research and innovation community
🚀 A pro-business environment that supports startups and entrepreneurs
🤝 A growing network of partners working to advance water technology

And Nevada ranks:
🏆 #7 Best State to Start a Business
🏆 #5 Most Friendly State for Small Business

For water technology companies, that combination creates fertile ground to test new ideas, demonstrate their value and turn innovation into impact.

That's why WaterStart is proud to be a Nevada-based nonprofit focused on connecting water innovators with the partners that can help them take the next step.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/weDQ0rJ

08/25/2026

WORLD WATER WEEK | Why does water innovation matter? 💧

Water challenges are growing more urgent, especially in places like the Southwest, where we’re facing drought, changing climate conditions, and aging infrastructure.

But solving our water challenges isn't simply about using less water. It's about finding smarter ways to manage, deliver, monitor and protect the water we have.

That's where innovation comes in. New technologies can help utilities:
💧 Detect and prevent water loss
📊 Better understand how water is being used
⚙️ Improve efficiency and reliability
🔬 Monitor water quality
🌎 Build greater resilience into water systems

At WaterStart, we help build water systems that are more resilient and an economy that is more water-wise.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/tGnDrGR

08/24/2026

It’s , and today we’re talking about water innovation!💧

When you hear that phrase, you may think of artificial intelligence or technology that can literally pull water from the air.

But water innovation can be much broader than that. It’s about finding better and more efficient ways to manage one of our most essential resources.

That can mean:
💧 Smart meters that provide better information about water use
🔎 Leak detection technology that helps utilities find problems before they become major losses
📡 Intelligent sensors that monitor water systems in real time
💨 Atmospheric water harvesting that captures moisture from the air
🤖 Data and AI tools that help utilities make faster, more informed decisions

At WaterStart, we connect water innovators with utility partners that test those technologies in real-world environments.

Learn more about our innovation model: https://buff.ly/poluckl

08/20/2026

Thanks to the Las Vegas Review-Journal for highlighting local water technology company WAVR Technologies!

WAVR, a startup spun out of UNLV, is developing technology that can turn moisture in the air into water, even in dry desert environments.

WaterStart is supporting WAVR with pilot project funding to help advance this promising technology from the lab toward real-world applications.

Read more about WAVR’s technology and its journey from UNLV research to a growing Nevada startup: https://buff.ly/Xv7KiW6

The UNLV spinout is commercializing technology that extracts water from the air in dry environments and is raising $4 million to scale production.

08/18/2026

Nevada startups: This opportunity is for you. 🚀

We’re excited to spread the word about the Startup World Cup Regional Qualifier, happening September 30 during Reno Startup Week.

Startups from anywhere in Nevada are invited to apply for the chance to pitch live in Reno. The winning startup will advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco for the opportunity to compete for a $1 million investment prize.

Applications are free, but the deadline is coming up: August 23.

Know a Nevada startup or founder who should be in the running? Share this opportunity with them!

👉 Apply: https://buff.ly/zdfvpED

Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development - GOED

08/17/2026

It’s National Nonprofit Day, and we're celebrating the power of mission-driven organizations to solve big challenges.

As a nonprofit, WaterStart brings together utilities, technology innovators, and industry partners to advance solutions that strengthen water resilience. By serving as a trusted connector, we help promising technologies move from ideas to real-world impact—benefiting communities and the entire water sector.

Thank you to our members and partners for making our work possible! 💧

08/10/2026

📢 Innovation Opportunity from our partner Anglian Water - Love Every Drop!

Anglian Water is looking for innovative, scalable solutions to help manage biosolids—the nutrient-rich material created during wastewater treatment that is commonly reused in agriculture.

As seasonal and regulatory challenges put increasing pressure on storage capacity, Anglian is seeking suppliers with permitted, commercially viable technologies that can provide additional flexibility and strengthen the resilience of water recycling operations.

If your organization has the capability to support this challenge, learn more and submit your solution here: https://buff.ly/ArxnY2h