Startups can have an opportunity to make profits by making filtered water an app-driven business


There are so many issues prevalent in society regarding the deteriorating quality of water these days. Especially, in the US, many people are switching to bottled water for drinking. But these bottles require the use of plastic which is absolutely not recommended as it causes degradation of the environment in turn. The water filter apps are rescuers at such times.

In Europe, a startup named Mitte is striving to provide filtered water directly from the tap. This could be a chance for other startups to take inspiration and provide water by using filtered water app to make money and save the environment at the same time.

The startup has actually raised $10.6 million in a seed round even when it has not started the manufacturing yet. There is another US-based startup that claims to have a competitive solution.

Oolle offers an unlimited supply of filtered drinking water for a small monthly fee. They have successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from investors, including Mission Gate Inc. and Columbus Holdings.

Why is there a need for a filtered water app?

Basically, the problem with ordinary filters is that people forget to have the regular servicing of the filters done. As there is no proper maintenance, the water quality deteriorates. The installation and maintenance of a regular RO filter are very costly and are too troublesome for a house. People are looking for clean and safe drinking water instead of wasting time and money behind changing the water filter candles and looking after the maintenance of those filters on a daily basis.

Not only that but if take the environment into consideration, more than 1 million plastic bottles are bought every minute. About 80% of these bottles end up in our landfills and oceans. The amount of single-use plastic been thrown in the oceans will surpass fishes by 2050 at the current rate. Hence, there is a need for change.

How does the filtered water app with IoT feature to solve the problem?

The CEO and co-founder of Oollee, Umit Khiarollaev explained that there is a small device that connects to Wi-Fi and enables customers to monitor the water. The app notifies the users to replace the filter element. They can even order new filters with a single click. The users are also able to check water conditions, volume, temperature, and other factors for their satisfaction.

The Oollee water purifier filters water in four steps. It then adds the necessary minerals at the final step again.

  • The folding PP filter element from South Korea is used to remove large impurities like silt, rust, etc.
  • They have a front activated carbon bar to remove any smell and residual chlorine from the water.
  • They have installed RO membranes from the USA to filter out the antibiotics, heavy metals, organic matters, etc.
  • There is a rear activated carbon bar to further improve the taste of water and to provide absolutely clean drinking water.

They are using the reverse osmosis method where water is forced across a semipermeable layer, leaving contaminants behind. The contaminants are then flushed down the drain and clean drinking water is collected in a holding tank.

The startup Oollee offers maintenance and cartridge replacements in their monthly subscription fee of $29 per month which calculates to less than $1 per day.

The Oollee app also has a built-in IoT feature which helps you to check water quality, water consumption and filter condition right from your app.

Competitors of Oollee:

The major competitors for Oollee are the bottled water or smart filter manufacturers. Other main competitors include delivery services like Nestlé or Alhambra and the tech giant Xiaomi in China.

Why should you consider developing a filtered water app?

According to a report in Market Watch, the water purifier industry has seen exceptional growth over the past several decades. The growth was visible as various regions were affected by the water pollution problem and global economic development.

The main focus of the report was on the regions of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

An increasing number of enterprises are joining the water purifier market; the competition of this market is getting more accelerated.

The worldwide market for Water Purifier is anticipated to flourish at a CAGR of about 4.2% over the next five years. According to a new Global Info Study, it will reach 13900 million US$ in 2023, from 10800 million US$ in 2017.

There is a huge demand for high-end products everywhere in the world. Many companies started to enter the field of high-end. Recently, the Chinese water purifier business is not only working to infiltrate into high-end water purifier products but also expand in the resource-rich land and downstream industry chain.

Features to consider while developing an app like Oollee

Every water purification app should have the following features to keep the users updated with the type of water they are drinking. Using the IoT technology you can allow your users to keep an eye on their water usage with a tap of their finger.

» Filter last cleaned date: The user is allowed to enter the date when he has changed the filter and then the clock starts to monitor the filter condition.

» Status for changing the filter: The user gets to see an update on the status of when to change the filter in days and hours.

» Daily Intake: The app also provides information on the daily intake of water for the user reminding them to drink water every time.

» History: The users get to check the history of ounces of water drunk on a certain day.

About water: The users can check the amount of total filtered water, the water bottles that the users saved to make a difference and the money saved on each bottle.

» Cleaned contaminants: The user gets a description of the cleaned contaminants and the quality and temperature of the water that they are drinking.

Online-shop for replacement: The app can allow the users to find the products for replacement through the app itself.

How do such companies earn?

Companies like Oollee have a business model that involves monthly subscription fee. This fee does not depend on the water usage, instead, the users are made to pay a certain amount as a subscription to earn benefits like cleaning and maintenance of the filters regularly. Oollee charges $29 per month as its subscription fee. They are also charging $49 for installation.

There is also another way of earning money, Oollee is also into selling water filters for personal use. Each water filter costs $2199 including the shipping charges.

Such business models can be really beneficial for a startup getting into the water purification business.

How can Coruscate help you to develop a water filter app?

Coruscate has expertise in the development of apps and websites. We are the masters of the latest technologies and have delivered hundreds of successful solutions for our clients. Our team of developers is a perfectionist and has hands-on experience with IoT.

Choosing us as your technology partner will get you a dependable guide on the way to your business. We provide end-to-end solutions and at every phase of your business. Connect with us to discuss more your business and get going.


➯ How does the water filter app works?

Oollee-like app functions in the same way as how you have internet providers. Well, in case of a water purifier app, instead of modem you get the high-tech water purifier installed at your home. They go with the 4-stage filtration system which enables you to have unlimited access to fresh and clean drinking water every time. Besides the technological improvements, the startup has a classy design, intelligent fixture that prompts water quality, and built-in IoT feature which helps you to check water quality, water consumption and filter condition right from your app.

➯ What is the cost of developing a filtered water app?

The cost of developing a filtered water app depends on the features that you wish to add in your app and the time required to complete the app development. Apart from that, there are other deciding factors that are necessary to consider while calculating the cost of development. We can build an app according to your personalized business needs as every business is unique. To know more about the price, you can directly schedule a free consultation session with us.


Related Blogs