About the Guest(s):

Raz Razgaitis is the CEO of FloWater, a company focused on providing clean and trustworthy drinking water solutions across the United States. With a background in tech and a decade spent running early-stage tech companies, Raz shifted his focus to address the systemic issues surrounding tap water quality. Through FloWater, Raz aims to reduce dependency on single-use plastics and champion the notion that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. The company, under his leadership, has reached the milestone of achieving 1 billion fills of FloWater, establishing itself as a key player in water purification technology.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner converses with Raz Razgaitis, CEO of FloWater, exploring the pivotal issues of water quality and infrastructure in the developed world. Despite the prevalent assumption that water-related challenges are exclusive to developing regions, Razgaitis reveals that water quality issues, including contaminants such as lead and microplastics, are also significant in countries like the United States. With an innovative approach, FloWater is tackling these challenges head-on by providing advanced purification technology and addressing the global dependency on bottled beverages.

Razgaitis details the journey from a personal realization about his children's hydration habits to implementing a large-scale solution combating water trust issues. By deploying technology that transforms tap water and restores consumer confidence, FloWater aims to offer an eco-friendly and health-conscious alternative to bottled water. Raz emphasizes the environmental impact of single-use plastics and advocates for sustainable practices that encourage consumers to refocus on treated tap water. This episode offers an insightful exploration of how technology and brand trust can be leveraged to resolve longstanding issues in water quality and consumption habits.

Key Takeaways:

• Water Quality Challenges: The developed world, particularly the U.S., faces significant water quality issues, including lead, PFAS, and microplastics.
• FloWaters Mission: FloWater focuses on making tap water trustworthy and tasty to reduce reliance on bottled beverages and address plastic pollution.
• Technological Solutions: The company uses advanced purification and remineralization processes to offer superior tasting water, akin to bottled water, but with environmental benefits.
• Health and Sustainability: By encouraging better hydration habits, FloWater is tackling public health issues linked to dehydration and advocating for environmental sustainability.
• Strategic Deployment: FloWater targets public spaces like schools, gyms, and hotels to maximize consumer exposure and drive home the importance of clean water access.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Every human deserves access to clean drinking water that they can trust, and that it's a fundamental human right."
2. "We are now in a world today where even if you live in a first-world country, you have to treat your water twice."
3. "If the worse your water is, the more you're forced to buy bottled water."
4. "When we deploy a FloWater unit, we'll see a 100 to 500% increase in daily hydration."
5. "The beauty of FloWater and the product of FloWater and the magic of FloWater is the water itself."

Resources:

• FloWater Website: FloWater
• TEDx Talk by Raz Razgaitis: For insights on environmental impact and sustainable hydration practices.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Referenced in discussion about safe lead levels in drinking water.
• New England Journal of Medicine: Study on microplastics, mentioned in relation to health impacts.

Encouraging the audience to explore these resources reinforces the depth of the conversation and the importance of the topics discussed. Listen to the full episode for an inspiring discussion on transforming our water systems for healthier communities and a healthier planet. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from Shape the System.