> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://4revs.gitbook.io/handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://4revs.gitbook.io/handbook/chapters/ways-of-water/leadership-in-the-spotlight.md).
# Leadership in the spotlight
As the global water crisis threatens our future, it becomes evident that addressing this challenge requires more than individual behavioral changes. There is a need to influence and inspire others towards this change and build collective and transformative actions. There is need for bold, exemplary leadership that can influence cross-boundary changes and serve as a guide that others can follow and incorporate. Leadership is thus a critical component in inspiring innovations and shaping conservation techniques.
A San Francisco based company; Epic Cleantec’s Circular Water Infrastructure serves as a visionary leadership in driving sustainable water innovation. The company recognized the urgent need for more sustainable and efficient water management solutions in urban areas and developed a decentralized solution for the treatment of wastewater by challenging the status quo of traditional wastewater treatment and reuse methods by envisioning a more efficient and innovative approach. This facility reduces the load on municipal utilities and enables buildings to become more self-sufficient in their water management.
By providing onsite wastewater treatment, Epic Cleantec separates wastewater into its various components, thereby producing three valuable outputs. First, the system generates recycled water that can be utilized for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling towers. This significantly reduces the building's water demand, leading to substantial cost savings on water and sewer bills for the building owners. Secondly, it captures heat energy from the wastewater treatment process. This energy can be used for other processes within the building, such as pre-heating domestic hot water. This not only reduces energy consumption but also contributes to the building's overall sustainability and resilience. Lastly, the system produces organic solids that can be used as natural, carbon-rich soil amendments (aka compost). In 2019, this system has been successfully installed in a 754-unit residential building in San Francisco and has been included in the plans of 25 upcoming high-rise projects. The decentralized water management system is expected to save about USD 12 million alone in the first decade from recycling blackwater in one of the proposed projects. One of Epic Cleantec’s showcase applications is in the 61 story Salesforce building \[19] in San Francisco. Not only is it the tallest building in San Francisco at 1,070 feet, but It is the largest commercial building in the US with an on-site water recycling system. Soaring to such heights with water recovery is a way to turn heads and win over water recovery skeptics.
Fig: Epic Cleantec’s One Water System enabling on-site water reuse. Source: Epic Cleantec[20]
As cities and governments worldwide prioritize sustainability, Epic Cleantec's innovative solution positions them at the forefront of an emerging market. By offering solutions that align with circular economy principles, Epic Cleantec showcases how breakthrough innovations serve as visionary leaderships and can drive transformative change in the water industry, benefiting both businesses and the environment.
What if we could catch fog and turn it into water? Biomimetic solutions (emulating nature’s ingenuity, also known as biomimicry) are now offering a ray of hope for arid and water scarce regions by demonstrating a unique and efficient way to meet the water demands. One such exemplary practice of sustainable water management can be found in the development of fog catchers and netting systems inspired by the Namibian Desert Beetle's remarkable ability to capture moisture from foggy mornings. The Biomimicry Institute has enabled communities in arid climates to ingeniously craft fog-catching systems that efficiently capture water from the atmosphere (another example of this can be seen in fog capture machines in San Francisco where fog water droplets are captured through nets to produce water).\[21] The Institute also provides essential learning journeys that empower designers to establish a strong foundation in biomimicry principles. These journeys serve as invaluable resources, providing creative minds with the knowledge and insights to channel nature's wisdom into practical and sustainable water solutions. Moreover, the Biomimicry Institute has also curated an extraordinary online platform called "Ask Nature," where individuals can explore nature’s numerous design solutions. This user-friendly website serves as an inspirational hub, connecting aspiring innovators with a diverse array of biological solutions for real-world challenges, including water scarcity.
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*Fig: Surface structure of Desert Beetle that enhance water condensation and allow beetle to harvest water. Source:* [*Ask Nature*](https://asknature.org/strategy/water-vapor-harvesting/)
These exemplary cases of leadership in sustainable water innovations can serve as a guide for upcoming leaders in sustainability and enable them to question their own leadership style. Firms can reflect on the thought ‘Are we merely instigating individual changes or influencing and inspiring collective action?’. In this manner, every company or firm can become a catalyst for transformative changes, systems changes, and steer their organization towards a water-secure future.
