Majik Water

Majik Water

Authors

Peter Kelly

Peter Kelly

Jace Merritt

Jace Merritt

School

Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management

Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management

Professors

Chris Laszlo

Chris Laszlo

Gabriela Cuconato

Gabriela Cuconato

Global Goals

6. Clean Water and Sanitation 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 13. Climate Action

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Summary

Founded in 2017 by Beth Koigi, Majik Water is a social enterprise that specializes in air-to-water technologies for communities in arid and semi-arid regions that have limited access to clean drinking water. Beth developed her atmospheric water generator while studying at the University of Nairobi in Kenya after being forced to buy dirty, contaminated water. Majik Water provides over 20,000 liters of clean drinking water to communities in need every month.

Innovation

Majik Water leverages air-to-water technology known as atmospheric water generators that function similarly to a dehumidifier. Currently, Majik Water supports 3 models, each of which produces a different amount of potable water; 25L / day, 120L / day, and 500L / day. Each of these models serves different functions, from office or household consumption to irrigation and community needs. These devices operate as a standalone structure, only requiring sufficient power to function.

The amount of water in the air is 6 times greater than in all the rivers in the world combined. Knowing this, Majik Water is leveraging the humidity in the air to provide potable water to communities in need. By eliminating water scarcity in these regions, it improves the physical and mental health of the communities that it impacts. This solution has a significant positive impact on the environment as well by reducing the consumption of finite groundwater reserves.


Majik Water

Inspiration

While studying at the University of Nairobi in 2017, Beth Koigi, Majik Water’s founder, was forced to frequently buy dirty, contaminated water due to widespread drought in the region. After suffering this experience, she decided to leverage her education and build a solution that would help mitigate the water scarcity crisis the region was experiencing. She went to work building a prototype that would use condensation and a water filtration system to turn humidity in the air into potable water at a significant rate. She went through several rounds of prototypes, but after an investment from Microsoft, she built the first successful model.

Overall impact

The impact of Majik Water's innovation on their business has been substantial. They developed a dedicated team with a strong focus on impact, which has led to the timely implementation of goals and objectives. Their use of technology, such as IoT devices, has not only improved the effectiveness of their solutions but also allowed for better monitoring and maintenance of their water generators. This innovation has helped the company gain recognition, secure partnerships, and even win prestigious awards like the Water Innovation Prize from MIT. As a result, Majik Water has been able to secure ample finances and resources to continue its mission. With these resources, Majik Water has one goal in mind; “We hope to continue to generate income so we can continue to push forward and help more people”.


Business benefit

Majik Water's innovative approach to addressing water scarcity has not only led to the creation of a profitable business but has also wielded a profound influence on society. By providing affordable and clean drinking water to water-scarce communities, Majik Water has alleviated the burdens faced by individuals, particularly women and children, who often bear the brunt of water collection duties. This accessibility to clean water not only promotes health and safety but also fosters economic productivity and educational opportunities within these communities. Furthermore, Majik Water's commitment to environmental sustainability through the use of off-grid solutions like solar energy and biofuel not only reduces emissions but also sets a precedent for responsible corporate citizenship. Their long-term vision of addressing global water scarcity challenges and promoting climate sustainability demonstrates a deep commitment to societal well-being beyond mere profit-making.


Social and environmental benefit

In terms of the environment, Majik Water's innovation had both short-term and long-term effects. In the short term, their use of off-grid solutions like solar energy and biofuel has reduced reliance on traditional energy sources, thereby lowering emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. During the interview, Majik Water clearly stated what they envision for the future; “Climate sustainability is the bigger picture”. They hope to accomplish this through exploring alternative water sources, such as desalination, which further contributes to environmental conservation and resilience against water scarcity challenges.

Concrete evidence of this impact can be seen in the partnerships formed by Majik Water, such as their collaboration with schools and hospitals to provide clean water access. These partnerships have provided these vital organizations with ample water to keep the people within the community healthy and safe. Their water kiosks also provide people in the area with opportunities for employment. Moreover, their use of IoT devices for monitoring and maintenance demonstrates a commitment to efficient resource management and environmental stewardship.


Interview

Margaret Nyoro, Administrator

Business information

Majik Water

Majik Water

Nairobi, KE
Business Website: https://majikwater.co/
Year Founded: 2017
Number of Employees: 2 to 10

Majik Water is a social enterprise that specializes in air to water technologies in arid and semi arid regions. They are creating a new source of affordable, clean drinking water for water scarce communities.