In an interview with TimesTech, Navkaran Singh Bagga, Founder & CEO of Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems discusses the rising importance of decentralized water solutions in a climate-challenged world. He highlights how atmospheric water generation, IoT integration, and Water-as-a-Service models are reshaping water access. The conversation also explores scalability challenges, sustainability goals, and Akvo’s mission to address global water scarcity through innovation.
TimesTech: Akvo has been at the forefront of atmospheric water generation — how do you see decentralized water systems evolving as a core component of climate-resilient infrastructure globally?
Navkaran: Water infrastructure was constructed for climate conditions which have shifted. Reservoir levels are dropping, aquifers are running out of water, and we cannot build enough pipelines fast enough to keep up with the growth in cities. As a result, we will see more and more and more decentralised water systems (like atmospheric water generation or rainwater collection; reuse of on-site wastewater) be used in addition to municipal supplies as part of an overall plan for resilience, but rather than serving as a replacement system. Over the next 10 years, all of the major components of infrastructure (schools, hospitals, data storage centres, and industrial sites) will be designed with a decentralised water programme built-in at the point of use. I am already seeing the change in all of the 15 countries in which we work.
TimesTech: Your technology transforms air into drinking water — what have been the biggest technological and environmental challenges in scaling AWG systems across diverse geographies?
Navkaran: The core technical challenge is performance under highly variable ambient conditions. Output is environment-dependent i.e. best in warm, humid air and falling sharply in cold or dry zones. So, every geography requires honest climatic modelling before deployment. We have engineered around this through refrigerant optimisation, heat exchanger design and IoT-driven controls that adapt to real-time conditions. Environmentally, the bigger challenge has been energy intensity. Pairing AWG with rooftop solar, and improving the coefficient of performance generation after generation, is how we keep the litre-per-kilowatt-hour equation moving in the right direction. Transparency with customers on all of this is non-negotiable.
TimesTech: With IoT integration becoming central to infrastructure, how is Akvo leveraging intelligent technologies to transform water from a basic utility into smart, data-driven infrastructure?
Navkaran: At Akvo, we treat every machine as a connected asset. Our platform, Nimbus OS, runs across our fleet and gives us real-time visibility into run hours, litres produced, energy consumed, ambient temperature and humidity, filter health and component performance. That data does three things: it enables predictive maintenance before failures occur, lets clients see their environmental impact daily in litres produced and plastic bottles avoided, and allows us to continuously improve product design based on field reality. Water, once instrumented, stops being a silent utility and becomes accountable infrastructure exactly what industrial and CSR clients increasingly demand.
TimesTech: The concept of “Water-as-a-Service” is gaining traction — how do you see this model reshaping water access for industries and urban ecosystems in the coming years?
Navkaran: Water-as-a-Service fundamentally changes who carries the risk. Instead of a client making a large capital purchase and hoping the technology performs, a partner like Akvo invests in the machine and the client pays only for the water actually consumed. That single shift unlocks schools, hospitals, factories and housing societies that would never sign off on a capex line. It also forces us, the provider, to keep uptime and quality high because revenue depends on it. Over the coming years this model will do for decentralised water what leasing did for commercial real estate making access routine, predictable and measurable.
TimesTech: Akvo has already achieved significant global scale, generating millions of litres of water annually — what strategies have been key in balancing sustainability, affordability, and scalability?
Navkaran: The most significant decisions made by the organisation were as follows: the main production facility is located in Chennai and is run by our company instead of Outsourcing; all products manufactured will be of the same design allowing for a variety of market applications based on the same design; we will be partnering with local companies in each of the markets we operate in through joint venture rather than exporting our products from across the globe. A successful sustainable business is only possible when the supply chain, product design and go to market strategy are all developed to support one another.
TimesTech: As someone with a diverse entrepreneurial background, what inspired your transition into climate-tech, and how do you envision Akvo’s role in addressing global water scarcity over the next decade?
Navkaran: My previous business experience has shown me the disciplines of manufacturing, developing markets through exports, and growing during the inevitable downturns. I would like to apply that operational strength to the fields of climate technology and water. Water shortage is not just a future concern, but an active challenge for hundreds of millions of people around the world today. Solutions must be of sufficient industrial scale and commercial grade, rather than a product of goodwill. The goal is for Akvo to become a portable, dependable factor in achieving global water transformation over the next ten years, found in nearly every country, respected by both businesses and governments, and transparent about the capabilities of its technology.
