Smart Tech, Smarter Water: Decentralized Water Solutions for a New Era with Riggs Eckelberry, OriginClear

Discover how Riggs Eckelberry and OriginClear are revolutionizing water management with decentralized systems, Water On Demand™, and blockchain innovation to solve the global water crisis.

Clean, accessible water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, innovative solutions are not just welcome, they are necessary. In this episode of The Wild Party Podcast, we sat down with Riggs Eckelberry, the founder and CEO of OriginClear, to talk about the future of water, business responsibility, and how decentralized solutions could transform the industry.

Water Scarcity: A Business Responsibility

Riggs Eckelberry believes that businesses must step up and take ownership of their water treatment needs. Instead of relying solely on overburdened central utilities, businesses from small trailer parks to major corporations like Procter & Gamble can now install their own on-site water treatment systems. OriginClear’s technology makes this shift simple, utilizing compact, modular systems that require minimal maintenance and can be installed virtually anywhere.

This decentralized approach not only alleviates pressure on aging infrastructure but also empowers businesses to control their own water quality and costs.

Riggs' Journey into the Green Industry

Riggs’ path to water innovation wasn’t linear. Originally a successful figure in the dot-com boom, he later transitioned into green technology, first focusing on algae-based biofuels. When shifting oil markets made that venture less viable, Riggs and his team pivoted toward the water industry, using their algae extraction technology to help treat sewage.

This pivot was not without challenges. The water industry is traditionally resistant to change, heavily centralized, and slow to adopt innovation. However, Riggs saw an opportunity to push for decentralized water solutions that could help agriculture and industry become more self-reliant and sustainable.

Scaling Industrial Water Treatment

Since its inception, OriginClear has seen impressive growth their business has expanded sevenfold year over year. Their focus is on treating industrial toxic wastewater, one of the most pressing and under-discussed environmental issues in the United States. Their modular systems allow businesses to recycle and reuse water, drastically lowering both costs and environmental impact.

As migration patterns shift within the U.S. and new communities emerge in areas with limited infrastructure, OriginClear’s flexible systems have become even more essential. From housing developments in Texas to commercial dealerships in Pennsylvania, decentralized water treatment is meeting modern needs where traditional infrastructure cannot.

Water On Demand and the Future of Water Finance

One of the most exciting developments at OriginClear is their "Water On Demand" model. Instead of requiring businesses to invest millions upfront in water systems, OriginClear allows clients to pay per gallon — similar to how traditional utilities operate.

To support this model, OriginClear is developing a blockchain-based payment system, including a stablecoin called Dollar H2O. This innovation could pave the way for a true global water market, giving water a more dynamic and transparent pricing structure and offering investors a chance to participate in what Riggs calls "Water As An Oil Well™."

Marketing Through Word of Mouth and Transparency

Riggs emphasized that much of OriginClear’s success has come not from expensive advertising campaigns, but from organic, word-of-mouth marketing and social media outreach. Authentic conversations, education through "lunch and learns" for engineers, and transparency including Riggs’ weekly CEO briefings have been critical to building trust and growing their audience.

Riggs also touched on the challenges of breaking into established systems, such as large-scale event management, but remains optimistic that persistence and clear value propositions will continue to open doors.

A Vision for a Sustainable Future

Riggs’ vision extends beyond business growth. He sees OriginClear as a way to change lives by democratizing access to clean water. His experience in the nonprofit sector continues to inspire a mission-driven approach to solving some of the world's most critical water problems.

With decentralized water systems, innovative financing, and a bold, transparent marketing approach, Riggs Eckelberry and OriginClear are creating not just a company but a movement.

As water scarcity becomes a reality for more communities around the world, solutions like OriginClear’s will be more vital than ever. Learn more about OriginClear here.