EarthWater Global
Founded in 2005, EarthWater Global draws on data generated from a variety of technologies, developed for and used by the oil and gas industry, to locate and develop previously overlooked groundwater resources on a low-cost, zero-risk, and fully financed basis. EarthWater's President, Robert Bisson, has produced and demonstrated a revolutionary concept of how fresh water is transmitted through tectonic fractures in bedrock and stored in "Megawatersheds". Previously overlooked and naturally recharged, Megawatersheds may extend from tens to thousands of kilometers and are immune to evaporation, surface contamination and silt. EarthWater possesses the capability to develop these resources faster, cheaper, and more efficiently than conventional water supply alternatives (dams, desalination, etc.) and can expand upon the existing volumes of presumed accessible, sustainable groundwater resources by a multiple of 10 to 100x globally; initial feasibility studies indicate that Megawatersheds can be found on every continent. EarthWater's solution leaves little to no environmental footprint, and low land requirements (1/10th of an acre per million gallon well) allow for the placement of wells in and around those areas where water is needed the most.
Trinidad and Tobago
In 1999, the island of Tobago was in the midst of a severe water crisis that threatened to deter foreign investment and curtail growth. The island’s 5 million gallon per day deficit far outweighed its 1 million gallons per day of estimated, sustainable capacity, and consultants recommended the construction of a desalination plant. Deemed too costly, a dam in the Western Hemisphere’s oldest protected rainforest appeared to be the only option. Hoping to avoid significant environmental damage, government authorities hired EarthWater to map and develop new water resources. Within twelve months, the company identified over 50 million gallons per day of Megawatershed resources and delivered 5 million gallons per day to the island’s waterlines. This was a quantity equal to that of the proposed dam, but it came at a fraction of the environmental and economic cost. After eight years, the wells continue to deliver fresh, potable water to the island’s inhabitants on a sustainable and reliable basis. Errol Grimes, the President of the Caribbean Waste Water Association, says of the project, “This type of groundwater technology is very cost-effective and in terms of implementation, is very timely… It brings relief to customers very quickly. Groundwater traditionally requires less treatment than surface water sources. Really, I think this technology could be used on all of the islands in the Caribbean.”
Africa
In 1984, drought and conflict in Somalia spawned acute famine and rampant cholera. USAID and the UNCHR called in Bisson’s team to improve upon failed efforts to develop significant quantities of groundwater in the country’s West. Before the project was terminated by civil war, the team identified resources capable of producing over 20 million gallons per day and developed wells delivering 2 million gallons per day to those in need. Three years later, USAID again hired Bisson to develop water in Sudan. And although the State Department halted the drilling of production wells after the coup d’etat in 1989, the team discovered more than 10 million gallons per day of new capacity.
Awards and Affiliations
At the 2008 World Water Awards, EarthWater was recognized for its groundbreaking work in Tobago: “By thinking outside the box, EarthWater Global has come up with a business proposition that could change the future of water development worldwide.”
EarthWater is a Founding Member of the Sustainable Water Alliance, a member of 1% of the Planet and is affiliated with the American Water Works Association, the Center for Research on the Environment and Water, the International Water Association, and the Partnership to Cut Poverty and Hunger in Africa.
Links
http://www.earthwaterglobal.com
http://www.earthwaterglobal.com/emmyawards.htm - the online version of a booklet highlighting the dimensions of the Global Water Crisis and our innovative solution; EarthWater was asked to create the book for the 2007 Emmy Awards Nominee Party where the theme was to showcase environmentally-friendly and sustainable solutions to several of the serious problems plaguing the world.
At the International Water Conference held at the United Nations, EarthWater presented the following on July 24th, 2008: "The Earth Leaks! Megawatershed Discovery Adds Significant New Water to the Known Hydrologic Balance" (Robert Bisson) http://www.earthwaterglobal.com/documents/EarthWaterUNPresentation.pdf
At The Corporate Council on Africa's US-Africa Agribusiness Forum, EarthWater presented "Megawatershed Development: a Sustainable and Cost-Effective Means of Water Development" at the June 27th, 2008, panel titled, "Water Management: Investments to Shape Agribusiness in Africa" (Nick Rutherfurd) http://www.earthwaterglobal.com/documents/CorporateCouncilonAfrica-EarthWaterPresentation.pdf
The theme of the first African Water Week hosted by the African Development Bank Group in Tunis, Africa, was "Accelerating Water Security for Socio-Economic Development of Africa". On March 27th, 2008, EarthWater presented "How a Marriage of 21st Century Technologies, Hydrological Discoveries and Business Innovations will Change the Future of Africa, from Within Africa" (Robert Bisson) http://www.earthwaterglobal.com/documents/TunisPresentation.pdf
