Atmospheric Water Generation Is Entering a New Era: Building a Future of Water Independence
The global Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) market is entering a period of significant growth as businesses, governments and communities look for decentralised and sustainable sources of drinking water. The market is projected to grow from approximately $4.36 billion in 2025 to $4.96 billion in 2026, with expectations of reaching $7.92 billion by 2030. Rising water scarcity, demand for off-grid solutions, renewable-energy integration and the need for greater water security are among the key factors driving this growth.
At the centre of this transition is a simple idea: water does not always have to be transported to where it is needed. It can be produced where it is consumed.
Turning Air Into Drinking Water
Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems was founded around this principle of water independence. Founded by Navkaran Singh Bagga, the company uses atmospheric water generation technology to extract moisture from the air and convert it into safe drinking water.
The process is based on a familiar natural phenomenon. When humid air comes into contact with a surface cooled below its dew point, moisture condenses into water. Akvo’s systems replicate this process at scale. Air passes over refrigeration coils, where moisture is condensed and subsequently treated through a multi-stage purification process involving sediment filtration, activated carbon, mineralisation and UV treatment.
The technology extends beyond condensation itself. Akvo’s Nimbus OS IoT platform continuously monitors parameters such as humidity, temperature, water yield and filter life, providing real-time visibility into machines deployed across different geographies.
From Water Scarcity to Water Independence
For Navkaran Singh Bagga, the challenge is not simply that the world lacks water. It is that access to water remains dependent on infrastructure and logistics.
Pipelines do not reach every location. Tankers are expensive and unreliable. Borewells can become depleted or contaminated, while bottled water involves a continuous transportation and packaging infrastructure.
Akvo’s approach is therefore to generate water at the point of consumption, reducing dependence on external water supply systems. This philosophy has become the foundation of the company’s vision of water independence.
Expanding Across Global Markets
Akvo’s systems are now deployed in more than 15 countries, serving a range of markets including India, the Gulf, Southeast Asia and East Africa. Demand has been particularly strong in coastal and island regions where humidity is available but conventional freshwater infrastructure can be limited or expensive.
In India, the company has also developed Water on Want (WoW), a water-as-a-service model in which Akvo installs, owns and operates the water-generation plant at a customer’s site, with customers paying for the water they consume. The model is designed for facilities such as factories, hospitals and campuses.
Engineering for Real-World Conditions
Atmospheric water generation is highly dependent on environmental conditions, particularly humidity and temperature. Akvo’s experience in deploying systems across different climates has therefore shaped its engineering approach.
The company’s machines are designed to operate from approximately 25% relative humidity upward, while performing most efficiently at higher humidity levels. In low-humidity environments, systems can be deliberately oversized to maintain committed water output.
Energy efficiency remains another major focus. Akvo’s current Water Blocks operate at approximately 0.29–0.35 kWh per litre depending on conditions, with continued R&D focused on compressor selection, coil design and intelligent control systems. The company has also developed Akvo Helios, a solar-thermal system designed to combine atmospheric water generation with renewable energy, rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting.
Scaling Water Generation Across Communities
Akvo’s enterprise-first strategy has enabled it to build a significant installed base. The company has more than 2,000 systems deployed, with the installed base generating approximately 300,000 litres of water per day—equivalent to roughly 100 million litres annually.
Rather than initially focusing on household appliances, Akvo concentrated on industrial facilities, government programmes, institutions and hospitality properties, where systems can operate continuously at larger capacities.
One example is a refinery township in Haldia, where Akvo systems have supplied drinking water to around 900 people continuously for six years. For the company, such long-term deployments demonstrate what water independence can mean in practical terms: reliable access without daily dependence on tankers or municipal supply.
From Machines to Water as a Service
The market for atmospheric water generation is also changing. Customers are increasingly looking beyond purchasing equipment and towards guaranteed outcomes.
In India, this shift has accelerated the adoption of Akvo’s Water on Want model, while international markets continue to see a combination of direct capital purchases and distribution partnerships. The focus is increasingly on the cost of water, uptime and reliable supply rather than simply the technology itself.
This represents a broader evolution of AWG—from an emerging technology to a potential infrastructure solution.
The Road Ahead
For atmospheric water generation to become a mainstream source of drinking water, three factors will be critical: lower cost per litre, greater industry credibility and models that make the technology accessible as a service.
Energy efficiency will continue to play a central role, particularly as atmospheric water systems become increasingly integrated with solar energy. At the same time, standards, certifications and transparent performance data will be essential for building trust in the category.
Navkaran’s vision extends beyond individual machines. He sees the future of air-to-water technology in shared infrastructure—systems serving apartment communities, schools, villages, campuses and other groups through decentralised water services.
Over the next three to five years, Akvo’s priorities are centred on expanding its recurring water-as-a-service business, deepening its international presence, improving energy efficiency and building the organisational capabilities required for sustainable growth.
The larger objective remains unchanged: to make reliable drinking water available where people need it, without depending entirely on infrastructure that may not reach them.
Read the Full Interview
This article is based on Navkaran Singh Bagga’s detailed interview with StartupTalky, covering Akvo’s technology, international expansion, challenges, water-as-a-service model and long-term vision.
