Problem Statement & Motivation - Only 25% of the world's water is directly usable, highlighting the scarcity of fresh water resources [1] - 60% of freshwater bodies are currently polluted, leading to thousands of deaths annually from diseases like typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis [3] - Current water testing processes are slow, expensive, and centralized, hindering timely intervention [3] Solution & Technology - Hydro is a smart device that automates the entire water testing process, enabling real-time monitoring of contamination levels, pH imbalance, and oxygen levels via a smartphone [3] - The device achieves 9536% accuracy in water quality testing [3] - The device can perform tests four times a day, a significant improvement over the traditional method of four times a year [3] Impact & Vision - Smart water technologies can potentially save 15 million lives and \$260 billion globally each year [5] - In India, using such technologies could save \$600 million annually [5] - The company aims to support the government and public health sector in providing clean water to every citizen by 2030 [5] Challenges & Overcoming Obstacles - Initial resistance from authorities was overcome by demonstrating the device's impact [5] - The inventor faced skepticism about entering the water sector with a mechanical engineering background [2] - A real-world example demonstrated how the device detected a leak in a water tank, preventing contamination and saving the lives of 700 people [5]

Project Overview - Paris has invested over €1 billion to clean up the Seine River, primarily to prevent wastewater from flowing into it [3] - Swimming in the Seine River had been banned for 100 years due to pollution [1] - Swimming is now allowed for the first time this summer [1] Infrastructure & Technology - A large tank was built to store wastewater and rainwater during heavy rains, limiting sewage flow into the river [4] - Water quality is tested every morning, and the site is closed if it's unsafe for swimming [5] Public Reception & Impact - Over 22,000 people visited the three swimming sites in Paris within approximately 10 days of opening [6] - The project aims to inspire other cities to reconnect with their waterways [7]

Environmental Concerns - Toxic water from oil wells in the Permian Basin is causing environmental concerns [1] - The toxic water is also linked to earthquakes [1] Industry Conflict - The toxic water is turning producers against one another [1]