Publicerad av At a time when water supply has become an increasingly critical societal issue, Aqua-Q is developing a solution that could transform how contamination in drinking water is detected. Behind the company are Sudhir Chowdhury and Ulla Chowdhury, who have run the business together since 1992, and who recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Through innovation, research, and a strong commitment to societal benefit, they have developed technology capable of detecting changes in water quality in real time, long before people become ill. Their work has also received international recognition through several awards and research collaborations around the world.
For Sudhir Chowdhury, the journey began long before Aqua-Q was founded. After moving from India to Sweden to study paper technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, he continued working in research and industrial development, particularly within the forestry and packaging industries. Over time, however, a new idea emerged: developing technology capable of detecting water contamination in real time.
– Every body of water has its own fingerprint. If the quality changes, the system should react immediately. That is when action must be taken, not several days later, says Sudhir.
At the core of Aqua-Q’s Aqua-Sense solution are laser sensors that continuously analyze water quality and create a unique profile of the water. If any deviation occurs, such as microbiological changes, chemical discharges, or pharmaceutical residues, the system immediately triggers an alarm. This represents a major improvement compared to traditional water sampling methods, where analysis results can often take up to a week.
– By the time you receive the results seven days later, a great deal of water has already been distributed. We want problems to be detected before they reach people, says Ulla.
From Sweden to international Awards Over the years, Aqua-Q’s innovations have been tested and demonstrated in several European countries, as well as in India. The technology is used both in drinking water systems and water reuse applications, an area becoming increasingly important as climate change and sustainability demands place greater pressure on global water resources.
The company has also developed its own disinfection process, known as ozone polishing, which further improves water purification and enables safe water reuse. The technology has been verified
according to international standards and ISO-certified.
Their work has attracted attention far beyond Sweden’s borders. Among other achievements, the company received an international gold award for water innovation, a recognition the couple still speaks of with pride.
– We competed against major players from countries including the United States, France, and Germany. For us, as a Swedish company, to stand there and win meant a great deal, says Ulla.
A life together – and a shared purpose
Behind the technology is also the story of a lifelong partnership. Ulla and Sudhir have worked together for most of their adult lives, building the company step by step alongside family life and international research projects.
– Working together has functioned very well. We complement each other, says Ulla with a laugh.
Despite their success, the couple never describes their innovations as purely business-driven. For them, the goal has always been something greater.
– Of course, you need financial success in order to continue developing. But the most important thing is that people benefit from what we do. That is what drives us, says Sudhir.
Now they hope the next generation will continue developing the innovations and scale the technology internationally.
– We have come a long way with research, testing, and verification. What is needed now is the strength to take the final step and make the technology available on a larger scale, says Ulla.
And perhaps that is precisely where AquaQ’s greatest strength lies, in the combination of human commitment, scientific curiosity, and a determination to solve one of the future’s most important challenges: access to clean water.
Text: Isabelle Ibérer
Read more at: www.aqua-q.se
