AquaSai
AquaSai
Botanical Water Parks: Water Treatment Meets Beauty
Transforming wastewater infrastructure into celebrated destination landscapes using Multi-Stage Recirculating (MSR) Constructed Wetlands. We create botanical water parks so beautiful they generate tourism revenue while achieving 99% pollutant removal.
AquaSai is revolutionizing wastewater treatment by creating botanical water parks that communities celebrate rather than hide away—generating revenue through tourism while treating water naturally.
Traditional wastewater treatment plants are expensive, energy-intensive, and stigmatized infrastructure that communities hide away. Across Asia and globally, municipalities struggle with:
Nepal: Kathmandu's Bagmati River, sacred in Hinduism, receives 90% of the city's untreated wastewater. Only 14% of Nepal's population has access to improved sanitation. The country needs $2.4 billion in water infrastructure investment over the next decade.
ASEAN: Southeast Asia's water treatment market is projected to reach $12.8 billion by 2028 (CAGR 7.2%). Tourism-dependent economies like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia face increasing pressure to protect coastal and river ecosystems while managing rapid urbanization.
AquaSai directly addresses Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), particularly targets:
Both Nepal and ASEAN countries have committed to achieving SDG 6 by 2030, creating a policy environment highly favorable to innovative, cost-effective water treatment solutions. AquaSai's nature-based approach aligns perfectly with regional sustainability commitments and climate adaptation strategies.
We transform wastewater treatment from hidden infrastructure into celebrated destination landscapes.
Our patented MSR technology mimics nature's purification processes through carefully designed botanical ecosystems featuring endemic flora. Each park tells the story of its region through curated plant collections while achieving superior treatment performance.
Tourism attractions generating revenue through visits, events, photography—increasing property values by 15-30%
$150-600/m³/day vs. $500-2,000 conventional, with 90% lower operating costs (no energy, no chemicals)
Site-specific designs featuring endemic flora and culturally significant plants creating public art
Exceeds international standards for water quality through natural biological processes
Zero-carbon operation, creates biodiversity hotspots, sequesters CO₂, and provides ecosystem services
Simple operation by local staff, creates green jobs, educational opportunities, civic pride
Use of Funds:
Conservative financial projections based on validated pilot performance, confirmed partnership pipeline, and comparable industry benchmarks
$150-600/m³/day capacity
Primary revenue from municipal and private sector clients for park construction
15-25% of gate/event revenue
Ongoing income from parks operated as destination attractions
$1-3/m³ treated annually
Long-term maintenance agreements ensuring optimal performance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Capacity | 500 m³/day | Phase 1 pilot scale |
| Capital Cost | $300,000 | $600/m³/day capacity |
| Annual Operating Cost | $18,000 | $0.10/m³ (vs. $0.80-2/m³ conventional) |
| Annual Treatment Revenue | $45,000 | $0.25/m³ municipal tipping fee |
| Annual Tourism Revenue (projected) | $35,000 | 10K visitors @ $3.50 avg (entrance/events) |
| Total Annual Revenue | $80,000 | Treatment + tourism combined |
| Annual Gross Margin | $62,000 (78%) | High margin nature-based solution |
| Payback Period | 4.8 years | vs. 8-12 years conventional plant |
| 20-Year NPV (7% discount) | $385,000 | 128% ROI over lifespan |
Unlike conventional treatment plants (single revenue from tipping fees), AquaSai parks generate tourism revenue equal to 44% of operating income, creating resilient cash flows and faster payback periods. This unique economics enables market expansion in tourism-dependent regions.
| Year | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projects Delivered | 1 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 25 |
| Revenue ($M) | 0.3 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 7.8 | 14.5 |
| Gross Margin | 65% | 72% | 75% | 76% | 78% |
| Operating Expenses ($M) | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 3.2 | 5.2 |
| EBITDA ($M) | -0.2 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 6.1 |
| EBITDA Margin | -67% | 8% | 25% | 35% | 42% |
| Cumulative Cash Flow ($M) | -0.3 | -0.5 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 7.8 |
| Headcount | 8 | 15 | 28 | 45 | 65 |
| Scenario | 2029 Revenue | 2029 EBITDA | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | $9.2M | $2.8M (30%) | 15 projects, slower adoption, 25% win rate |
| Base Case | $14.5M | $6.1M (42%) | 25 projects, steady growth, 35% win rate |
| Optimistic | $22.8M | $11.4M (50%) | 38 projects, rapid adoption, 45% win rate, larger avg project size |
Validated treatment performance, design methodology, and scalability across diverse applications
Wastewater enters through screening systems removing large solids (>10mm). Grit chambers settle heavy particles. Creates attractive water feature entry points with flowing cascades.
Removal: 40-50% TSS, 15-20% BOD
Vertical flow cells with 0.6-1.0m depth. Planted with high-performance species (Canna, Typha, Phragmites). Aerobic microbial processes break down organics, nitrification converts ammonia.
Removal: 60-75% BOD, 50-60% Nitrogen, 40-55% Phosphorus
Partially treated water recirculated back to primary stage via solar-powered pumps (optional). Increases hydraulic retention time from 2-3 days to 4-6 days, improving treatment efficiency.
Enhancement: +15-25% pollutant removal through extended contact time
Horizontal flow cells with 0.8-1.2m depth. Diverse plant polyculture creates botanical displays. Anaerobic zones promote denitrification, completing nitrogen cycle. Heavy metal sequestration.
Removal: 85-95% BOD, 75-85% Nitrogen, 65-80% Phosphorus, 70-90% Heavy Metals
Open water pond (0.5-1.5m depth) with aquatic plants, creating crystal-clear showcase water feature. Optional UV disinfection for pathogen elimination to drinking water standards.
Final Quality: >99% BOD, >95% Nitrogen, >90% Phosphorus, 99.99% pathogens (w/ UV)
| Parameter | Influent | Effluent | Removal % | Thai Standard | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOD₅ | 185 mg/L | 7 mg/L | 96.2% | < 20 mg/L | ✅ Exceeds |
| COD | 342 mg/L | 18 mg/L | 94.7% | < 60 mg/L | ✅ Exceeds |
| TSS | 168 mg/L | 8 mg/L | 95.2% | < 50 mg/L | ✅ Exceeds |
| Total Nitrogen | 42 mg/L | 2.5 mg/L | 94.0% | < 15 mg/L | ✅ Exceeds |
| Total Phosphorus | 6.8 mg/L | 0.8 mg/L | 88.2% | < 2 mg/L | ✅ Exceeds |
| E. coli | 8.2×10⁶ MPN/100mL | 240 MPN/100mL | 99.997% | < 1000 MPN/100mL | ✅ Exceeds |
| pH | 7.2 | 7.4 | - | 6.0-9.0 | ✅ Meets |
AquaSai MSR consistently exceeds Thai coastal discharge standards (strictest in ASEAN) by 60-85%, demonstrating significant treatment safety margin and adaptability to varying influent conditions.
AquaSai uses validated design parameters from pilot data and HYDRUS-CW2D finite element modeling:
| System Size | Capacity | Land Required | Capital Cost | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | 5-25 m³/day | 200-800 m² | $15-75K | Resorts, eco-lodges, small villages |
| Small | 50-200 m³/day | 1,000-4,000 m² | $100-350K | Hotels, housing developments, beach communities |
| Medium | 500-2,000 m³/day | 1-3 hectares | $300K-1.5M | Towns, industrial parks, river cleanup projects |
| Large | 5,000-20,000 m³/day | 5-15 hectares | $2-10M | Cities, major river restoration, regional systems |
Canna indica - 85-95% nitrogen uptake, vibrant flowers, 1.5-2m height
Typha latifolia - Heavy metal accumulator, dense root system, 2-3m
Phragmites australis - BOD specialist, tolerates salinity, 2-4m
Nymphaea spp. (Water Lily) - Phosphorus removal, iconic beauty
Iris pseudacorus - Nitrogen polishing, stunning yellow flowers
Papyrus alternifolius - Cultural significance, architectural form
Culturally appropriate species honoring Hindu traditions while maximizing treatment performance:
2D finite element modeling for subsurface flow, contaminant transport, root water uptake. Used for site-specific design optimization.
Interactive design tool for calculating dimensions, flow rates, plant quantities, treatment performance predictions for custom projects.
Training platform covering design principles, construction, operation, maintenance best practices for MSR systems. Certifies practitioners.
Regenerative Ecosystems Architect | XR Technology Pioneer | Water Systems Visionary
2019 - The Awakening: While working on XR projects in Thailand, witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of untreated wastewater on Koh Phangan's pristine beaches and coral reefs. Local communities loved their island but couldn't afford conventional treatment plants. The disconnect was stark: beautiful natural environments being destroyed because water infrastructure was seen as expensive, ugly, technical necessity.
The Insight: What if water treatment could be beautiful? What if it could become a tourism asset instead of a financial burden? This question led to intensive research on constructed wetlands, botanical design, and the economics of nature-based solutions. Realized that by combining artistic design with sound engineering, water parks could transform community perception and economics of wastewater treatment.
"The Bagmati River is where the practical meets the profound." - Enea LeFons
100 botanical water parks operating across Asia-Pacific, treating 100 million liters daily, protecting 50 sacred rivers and coastal ecosystems, while generating $50M in combined treatment and tourism revenue.
AquaSai represents a paradigm shift in how humanity relates to water infrastructure. For 150 years since the invention of centralized sewage treatment, we've hidden our water infrastructure underground, out of sight, as something shameful. This mindset is ecologically destructive, economically wasteful, and culturally impoverished.
We believe the future of water is visible, beautiful, celebrated. When treatment plants become parks, when infrastructure becomes art, when engineering serves ecology—we align human systems with natural systems. This alignment is the foundation of regenerative civilization.
The Bagmati project is the first of many sacred river restorations. After Nepal, we'll bring this model to the Ganges, the Mekong, the Chao Phraya, the Citarum. Every continent has sacred waters crying out for healing. AquaSai will answer that call.
"I'm dedicating the next chapter of my life to proving that beauty and ecology can make water treatment economically accessible to every community on Earth. Not through charity, but through smart design that creates value. This is my life's work." - Enea LeFons
Comprehensive Water-Energy-Food Nexus approach to restoring Kathmandu's sacred river while creating sustainable livelihoods and cultural renewal
Transform a 2km stretch of the Bagmati River from open sewer to thriving riparian botanical water park, demonstrating replicable model for urban river restoration across South Asia.
| Phase | Timeline | Capacity | Investment | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (Pilot) | 2025-2026 | 500 m³/day | $1.5M | 3 outfalls intercepted, 5K people served |
| Phase 2 (Expansion) | 2026-2027 | 2,000 m³/day | $4.5M | 12 outfalls, 18K people, 1km river restored |
| Phase 3 (Full Scale) | 2027-2029 | 10,000 m³/day | $18M | 2km river corridor, 80K people, tourism destination |
AquaSai Bagmati goes beyond water treatment to address interconnected challenges through integrated design:
By treating these challenges as interconnected system, AquaSai creates resilient solution where outputs of one process become inputs to another: wastewater nutrients feed plants, plant biomass creates energy, energy powers treatment, treated water grows food. This circular economy approach maximizes value and sustainability.
| Category | Cost (USD) | % of Total | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Works & Earthworks | $420,000 | 28% | Excavation, grading, embankments, pathways, site prep |
| Wetland Construction | $385,000 | 26% | Liners, media, plumbing, distribution systems, pumps |
| Plants & Landscaping | $165,000 | 11% | 25K plants, trees, landscaping, nursery development |
| Solar & Energy Systems | $135,000 | 9% | 40kW solar array, batteries, inverters, grid connection |
| Monitoring & Controls | $95,000 | 6% | IoT sensors, SCADA, water quality lab, automation |
| Buildings & Facilities | $120,000 | 8% | Visitor center, maintenance building, gates, signage |
| Professional Services | $105,000 | 7% | Engineering, permits, legal, environmental assessment |
| Contingency (10%) | $75,000 | 5% | Unforeseen costs, site conditions, schedule delays |
| TOTAL PHASE 1 | $1,500,000 | 100% | 500 m³/day capacity |
| Phase | Duration | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Construction | Q1-Q2 2025 (6 months) |
|
| Construction | Q3 2025-Q1 2026 (9 months) |
|
| Commissioning | Q2 2026 (3 months) |
|
| Performance Validation | Q3-Q4 2026 (6 months) |
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Bagmati success unlocks $50M+ market across Nepal's urban rivers:
AquaSai Bagmati provides validated template for sacred river restoration across South Asia:
Every city has a river it has polluted. Every culture has a water body it holds sacred. AquaSai's mission is to heal these relationships at scale. Bagmati River is the proof-of-concept that makes this global vision achievable.
View Complete Bagmati Project Page
Includes: Site plans, 3D renderings, technical diagrams, flora selection guide, community engagement strategy,
detailed budget, timeline charts, impact projections, partnership overview, and photo gallery.
Building credibility through successful pilot projects, strategic partnerships, and community validation
"I never thought wastewater treatment could look like this. The AquaSai park is now my favorite place to bring visitors. It's become an iconic part of our village identity."
- Somchai P., Ban Tai Village Headman
"As a marine biologist, I've watched our reefs dying from pollution for years. Since AquaSai started, we're seeing coral recovery and fish populations increasing. This is the solution we needed."
- Dr. Niran K., Marine Conservation Foundation Thailand
"I operate a dive shop. Clean water is our business. AquaSai isn't just treating wastewater, they're protecting our livelihoods and the tourism economy we all depend on."
- Lisa M., Dive Shop Owner & Expat Resident
Unsolicited inbound interest from 25+ organizations across 6 countries demonstrates product-market fit and validates AquaSai's value proposition. The challenge is no longer "will it work?" but "how do we scale fast enough to meet demand?"
Join us in revolutionizing how humanity treats wastewater—creating botanical water parks that restore sacred rivers, empower communities, and prove that beauty and ecology can make sustainable infrastructure economically accessible to all.