AMID MOUNTING evidence of climate change consequences for the planet, people globally are increasingly anxious about the quality and availability of the freshwater they are drinking, according to recent public opinion polls. A Gallup poll in 2023 revealed that 55% of Americans surveyed worried a ‘great deal’ about polluted drinking water in the U.S., while a global public opinion survey by GlobeScan revealed that 58% of almost 30,000 people polled in 31 countries from six continents viewed freshwater shortages as a ‘very serious’ problem.

Both surveys point to escalating global anxieties about water quality, freshwater availability, and safety, which is why Bluewater, a pioneer in advanced water purification and beverage solutions, is a company with a planet plan rather than a business plan, we pledge heading into 2024 to keep innovating water purification and beverage solutions that will keep present and future generations safe and healthier.

A significant water contaminant of concern today is per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, a group of hundreds of chemicals used in multiple applications from non-stick pans to cosmetics, fire-fighting foam, furnishing fire retardants, and fast-food boxes – and nowadays widely found in the environment. PFAS chemicals are in seawater, tap water, the air, soil, and food like fish. The chemicals are also in humans, and research has linked the chemicals to cancer, reproductive disorders, liver damage, and obesity.

Bluewater offers water purifiers that remove up to 99% of all known water contaminants, including PFAS and related chemicals and micro-plastics, which have been found in tap water in several countries, including the UK, the US and elsewhere. The company’s purifiers have received independent validation of their efficiency in removing harmful PFAS, other chemicals, and toxic metals from tap water, rendering it safer for consumption.

Bluewater’s SuperiorOsmosis technology in its high-performance Spirit and Pro under-sink water purifiers represents second-generation reverse osmosis (RO), the widely acknowledged gold standard for removing contaminants from tap water. For a more sustainable solution, the patented technology powering the purifiers substantially slash the water wasted by traditional R.O. systems by up to 80%. This ensures more sustainable purer drinking water from the faucet for households and businesses — and significantly reduces dependence on single-use plastic bottles, aligning the company’s mission with the mounting worldwide emphasis on health and sustainability while positively impacting human and planetary health.

Hygienic bottling system

We recently unveiled its smart HotelStation bottling solution in Indonesia, marking a significant step in its mission to terminate single-use plastic water bottles in the hotel and restaurant industry.

The first of these solutions has launched operations at the four-star 362-room Novotel Jakarta Mangga Dua Square in central Jakarta, which has an enviable reputation for its modern design – and now also for its super green credentials.

The compact HotelStation enables hotels to efficiently serve purified, hygienic and remineralised bottled water to guests while avoiding costly, eco-unfriendly transports and expensive storage and recycling costs. The state-of-the-art station cleans used glass bottles before hygienically filling, labelling, and capping them with water purified by a high-performance Bluewater PRO water purifier. 

Capable of supplying up to 17 hotels offering around 4000 guest rooms and related restaurant and spa facilities, the system is a testament to Bluewater's commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible water consumption as well as reducing the carbon footprint resulting from today’s transportation of drinking water bottles.

Removing contaminants and bacteria

According to Didier Perez, head of Indonesia's Jakarta-based PIPA water company, which was acquired by Bluewater in December 2023, the's smart bottling solution is a game-changer for the hospitality industry. He observed: "By removing up to 99.7% of known water contaminants, including toxic chemicals like PFAS, viruses and bacteria, and micro- and nano-plastic particles, we are not only providing clean and healthy drinking water to local hotels but also making a significant contribution to reducing plastic waste.”

Bluewater's initiative aligns with its broader objectives of improving global access to clean drinking water and positively impacting human health and the environment. The company is dedicated to developing and deploying innovative water purification systems that meet the needs of the 21st century. 

Launching the solution in Indonesia represents a significant milestone in Bluewater's mission. Studies have revealed that over five million plastic bottles are used globally by hotels every single day, he said that the launch demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to promote sustainability and health in an industry that has traditionally been a significant contributor to plastic bottle waste.

The fears of consumers across Southeast Asia and globally about the water they are drinking have been highlighted by public opinion polls following scientific studies warning of the dangers of bottled water being polluted by micro-plastic particles and tap water contaminated by chemical substances such as PFAS. A global public opinion survey by GlobeScan revealed that 58% of almost 30,000 people polled in 31 countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and China, viewed freshwater shortages as a 'very serious' problem. 

Water purification

Access to clean, safe drinking water without plastic is a fundamental human right. The company’s water purification solutions are designed to help both consumers and HORECA businesses address any water quality concerns head-on.

Water purification systems are not just a solution to water quality problems; they represent a significant step towards a more sustainable water future, not only for consumers but also for safeguarding business and national security.

When we launched Bluewater, we created a planetary plan rather than a traditional business plan, driven by the desire to help combat climate change consequences and accelerate moving to a circular economy.

Founded 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, Bluewater has set its sights on being the world's most planet-friendly water purification and beverage company by innovating and marketing disruptive hydration solutions for both commercial and residential markets. Bluewater products are available globally to consumers, hotel and catering operations, event and venue organisations, and educational institutions.

Focusing on sustainability

In another move to change the game in the hospitality industry's water consumption, we recently showcased our sustainable solutions at a conference of top-ranking Accor hotel managers from Southeast Asia, held in Jakarta. The goal? To demonstrate how hotels can play a lead role in kicking single-use plastic bottles to the curb and pave the way for a greener future in the hospitality sector.

At the heart of Bluewater's solutions is its HotelBottlingStation (photo below). This compact system lets hotels say goodbye to the hassles and costs of buying, transporting, storing, and recycling plastic water bottles. It's a win-win for both the environment and the hotel’s bottom line.

All the drinking water provided to the conference delegates was generated by a Bluewater HotelBottlingStation permanently installed in the Novotel Jakarta Mangga Dua Square and delivered in reuseable glass bottles that were picked up each evening after use and returned to the bottling station for cleaning and reuse.

But it's not just about ditching plastic waste. Bluewater's systems also guarantee clean, healthy drinking water and encourage responsible water consumption. By promoting the use of reusable bottles, Bluewater is making a real difference in the fight against plastic waste, aligning with global sustainability efforts.

Didier Perez asserted: “Our mission at Bluewater isn't just about providing clean water, it's about changing how we consume water. Our advanced tech lets us do both effectively. By showing our solutions to Accor hotel managers, we're hoping to spark a shift towards sustainable water operations in the hospitality industry, ultimately contributing to a greener planet.”

The reaction from the Accor hotel managers was overwhelmingly positive and highlights Bluewater's dedication to improving access to clean drinking water globally and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. The demonstration to Accor hotel managers is just one step in a mission to transform the way the world consumes water.

In the face of the escalating global water crisis and environmental concerns, Bluewater's initiative hospitality bottling solution offers a beacon of hope for a sustainable future. We are focused on continuing to develop and deploy innovative water purification systems, ensuring that every drop of water consumed is clean, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

Bengt Rittri is founder and CEO of Bluewater

For more information visit www.bluewatergroup.com