As Aquacycl enters its ninth year, we reflect on the journey that brought us here, what we’ve accomplished, and what lies ahead. Ours is a story rooted in a mission to address global water crises through wastewater treatment and access to sanitation. 

How It All Began 

Aquacycl’s journey started with a challenge that is both staggering and deeply personal. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report, approximately 3.6 billion people—nearly half the global population—lack adequate sanitation, and 2 billion lack consistent access to safe drinking water. 

These statistics represent lives shaped by limited access to one of life’s most essential resources. For Aquacycl’s CEO and Co-Founder, Orianna Bretschger, these challenges hit close to home. Growing up in remote areas without running water or electricity, she often relied on outhouses for sanitation. These early experiences left a profound impression, shaping her understanding of how water scarcity impacts daily life and igniting her passion for finding a solution. 

While studying at the University of Southern California (USC), Orianna was introduced to the concept that electrochemical bacteria can generate electricity while cleaning water. Her work at USC eventually brought her to the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), where she connected with Aquacycl’s CTO and Co-Founder, Sofia Babanova. Together, they explored ways to translate this concept into a practical, scalable technology. 

This led to the development of the BioElectrochemical Treatment Technology (BETT®), the foundation of Aquacycl’s wastewater treatment systems. 

The Focus on Industrial Wastewater 

When Aquacycl launched as a San Diego-based startup, our mission was clear: to use this technology to tackle the world’s sanitation crisis. However, addressing such a monumental challenge required funding, which prompted us to explore new opportunities. 

This exploration brought us to the world of industrial wastewater. Starting with pilot projects in breweries, confectioneries, and distilleries, we quickly realized the broader potential of our solution. 

Industrial wastewater is a massive global challenge, accounting for 30%-50% of the world’s wastewater burden. Not only do these volumes pose a staggering challenge, but the composition of industrial wastewater is often much more highly polluted than residential sewage. As a result, many industrial facilities face fines, legal repercussions, and even shutdowns. Others are forced to rely on unsustainable and costly options like trucking or energy-intensive treatments. 

These facilities are in need of a cost-effective, compliant, and sustainable approach to wastewater treatment. Aquacycl has addressed not only operational and cost challenges but also the significant environmental impacts of industrial wastewater, providing industrial facilities with a holistic solution to their wastewater challenge. 

In 2024 alone, we treated 1.6 million gallons of wastewater, removed 370,000 pounds of organic waste, mitigated 801 tons of CO2e, and saved 288,500 kWh of energy through our industrial installations. These milestones reflect meaningful progress toward a sustainable future. 

Sanitation for All 

While industrial wastewater treatment remains our business focus, we have never lost sight of the global sanitation crisis that inspired us. Our work in industrial wastewater has helped reduce cost of goods, allowing us to see this mission come into reality. 

Particularly through our impact project in Baja California, where we installed a purification system at a school to provide safe drinking water to over 500 students and teachers. This system supplies water to classrooms, kitchens, and bottle-filling stations, demonstrating the power of affordable, scalable solutions in underserved areas. We are now exploring financing options to provide sanitation solutions to this school. 

Yet, the road to global access to sanitation still has many challenges. Sanitation markets are highly regulated, regionally defined, and demand cost-sensitive solutions to ensure accessibility and sustainability. These obstacles only strengthen our resolve to innovate and expand the reach of our technology. 

What’s Next for Aquacycl 

As we move into 2025, we’re reminded of why we started this journey. Our goal is not just to develop technology but to foster real, sustainable change. Band-aid solutions won’t suffice. We are committed to addressing the root problems that lead to inadequate sanitation and industrial wastewater challenges. 

While we continue improving our offerings for industrial clients, we will also deepen our efforts to achieve our founding mission: sanitation for all. 

As we enter our ninth year, we are more determined than ever to address the challenges ahead. Together, we can transform wastewater from a global problem into a global solution. 

“We envision a world where safe, accessible and sustainable access to water and sanitation is a global standard.  Our endeavor is to provide not only technology solutions but help define a different model for quantifying the true value of water.”  – Orianna Bretschger