California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
As the California drought continues to loom on, the state is beginning to see a steady increase in water technology patents. A recent study by Next 10, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, noted that 137 patents were registered in 2014, the majority of which fell under the label “water treatment,” although significant advances were made in water supply networks and efficiency measures.
“Californians are used to answering the call for innovative solutions,” said F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10. “In the midst of a historic drought and an economy dependent on a thriving agriculture sector, California urban and agricultural water users are reducing consumption and venture capitalists and entrepreneurs are catalyzing innovation.”
California is currently ranked number one for venture capital investment in water companies, which translated into $97 million in 2014 alone.
“While state and local governments have imposed water restrictions and other policies meant to reduce the stresses on water supplies, we can only get so far by residential users turning the tap on less frequently,” said Doug Henton, co-author of the study and chairman and CEO of Collaborative Economics. “Investment in technology is critical and will shape the future of water management.”
According to the study’s findings, there is a significant market for water technologies.
