According to recent reports, 80% of the world’s wastewater is released into the environment without treatment. This alarming number could rise to six billion by 2050 if no action is taken, especially in areas where water scarcity is already a significant issue.
To address this problem, Dutch Clean Tech collaborates with governments and private organizations in developing countries to provide clean drinking and sewage water.
Yesterday, February 28, 2024, Dutch Clean Tech premiered its documentary Clear Waters at Pathé Tuschinski in Amsterdam, showcasing the challenging journey towards clean water for the residents of Guatemala.
Dutch Clean Tech’s fight
In the documentary “Clear Waters”, Sander Pielkenrood, CEO of Dutch Clean Tech, travels to Guatemala to investigate the condition of Lago Amatitlán and the surrounding areas, including Guatemala City.
He interacts with local residents, experts, doctors, and organizations during his visit to assess the current situation. It becomes clear that the water in the region is severely polluted with waste, bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals.
As a result, most residents do not have access to clean drinking water, leading to the outbreak of diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, and various viruses.
These diseases contribute significantly to the country’s high child mortality rate of 24 per 1,000 children. In contrast, the Netherlands has a child mortality rate of four per 1,000.
The documentary highlights the challenges local governments and politicians face in adopting improvements. These officials seem hesitant or unwilling to embrace change, which is the biggest obstacle faced by Pielkenrood.
“I am shocked by the attitude of local politicians,” says Pielkenrood. “They have a responsibility to ensure the best living conditions for their residents, yet they are the ones hindering change.”
The world premiere of Clear Waters was held on February 28, 2024, at Pathé Tuschinski in Amsterdam. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed here, and the full film is now available here.
Dutch Clean Tech is a company that aims to help people worldwide access clean water by developing intelligent solutions for producing and distributing drinking water and treating polluted sewage water.
The company uses an innovative business model that removes the investment burden from local governments.
The company has already set up nine projects in Guatemala and Mexico, with construction starting this year.
Dutch private and professional investors advance the necessary investment, and the local organizations repay the loan by paying for usage.
In this way, it restores direct access to clean water, and a lack of capital does not hinder progress.
01
Code to AI: How Le Wagon is training product builders who can adapt to a moving tech landscape