ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – ECNETNews reports that the SkyJuice Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on providing access to clean drinking water, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Water category. This accolade highlights the foundation’s innovative strategies in delivering sustainable and decentralized safe water solutions to underserved communities globally.
The foundation’s pioneering technology, the SkyHydrant, operates as a passive ultrafiltration system. This system is capable of producing safe and affordable drinking water without the need for power or chemicals, making it ideal for deployment in remote and challenging environments. Each unit can generate up to 15,000 liters of clean water daily from almost any non-saline source. With a successful track record spanning over 74 countries, SkyHydrant showcases the power of low-cost, decentralized solutions in addressing the global water crisis.
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, praised the impact of SkyJuice Foundation’s work: “Their innovative approach has significantly improved the lives of underserved communities, aligning perfectly with our mission to catalyze global progress and enhance livelihoods.”
Rhett Butler, Founder and Chairman of the SkyJuice Foundation, expressed his appreciation for the recognition, emphasizing, “Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right that can be achieved. Winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize validates our mission and motivates us to broaden our efforts, ensuring that no community is overlooked in the quest to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.”
SkyJuice Foundation’s SkyHydrant technology is transforming the accessibility of potable water, effectively challenging the notion that “water equals poverty.” It efficiently handles poor-quality and contaminated water, consistently producing safe drinking water at negligible operational costs. Each unit, with a lifespan of over 10 years, operates at less than 1 cent per 100 liters, making it an economically feasible option for low-income communities.
The US $1 million prize fund will empower the SkyJuice Foundation to broaden its initiatives, deploying SkyHydrant and SkyTower solutions in schools, hospitals, and vulnerable communities worldwide. The foundation also intends to undertake urgent installations in displaced persons’ camps and marginalized areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of decentralized water solutions in tackling global humanitarian challenges.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize honors the visionary legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, serving as a symbol of hope and progress for sustainable development. This esteemed award recognizes and supports those making significant contributions across Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.
Each year, the Prize celebrates organizations and schools that provide innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. With 128 winners over 17 years, the Prize has positively influenced 407 million lives around the world, inspiring further innovation and creating a ripple effect of positive change.
About the Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s leading award recognizing innovative solutions for global challenges. In tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize aims to advance sustainable development across various sectors.
Each year, it honors organizations and schools for their groundbreaking solutions in Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. With a total of 117 winners impacting over 400 million lives globally, the Prize continues to inspire innovators to champion a sustainable future for all.
