WaHa Inc.: Pioneering Atmospheric Water Generation in the Middle East

Live: Waha Inc

Investment: $8 million in Series A-1 funding in July 2025

In the heart of the arid Middle East, where water scarcity poses a constant challenge, Dicode Technologies has partnered with WaHa Inc. (Water Harvesting Inc.) to introduce revolutionary Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) solutions.

 This collaboration aligns perfectly with the UAE's National Vision 2031 and Water Security Strategy 2036, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and resource independence. WaHa's patented Vaporator® technology extracts pure, contaminant-free water directly from the atmosphere, thriving in low-humidity environments where traditional AWG systems falter. By deploying pilots in the UAE, Dicode is not only addressing immediate water needs but also paving the way for scalable, eco-friendly hydration across sectors like agriculture, hospitality, defense, and urban development.

The Breakthrough Technology

WaHa's Vaporator® represents a paradigm shift in water production. Unlike conventional mechanical vapor compression AWGs, which require high humidity (at least 15g of water vapor per kg of dry air) and underperform in arid climates, WaHa's system operates efficiently with just 3g/kg. It employs advanced sorbent materials like Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) or silica gel to capture moisture, paired with a high-efficiency heat pump for regeneration. This results in energy consumption as low as 0.24 kWh per liter—up to 70% more efficient than competitors. Scalable from compact countertop units (4 liters/day) to massive industrial setups (20,000 liters/day in shipping containers), the technology produces water exceeding EPA and California drinking standards, free from PFAS and other pollutants. Its versatility allows powering via renewables or waste heat, minimizing environmental impact and supporting the UAE's net-zero goals.

Our Strategic Partnership Journey

Dicode's mission to bridge proven global technologies with Middle Eastern priorities led to this alliance in 2023. Recognizing WaHa's success in harsh pilots across West Texas, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and California, Dicode tailored commercialization strategies for the UAE market. We facilitated deployments with TAQA Water Solutions, installing a 24-liter/day Oasis-24 and a 200-liter/day Oasis-200 in Abu Dhabi—where relative humidity often dips below 40% and temperatures exceed 40°C. Dicode handled logistics, regulatory compliance, and integration with local solar infrastructure, ensuring seamless adaptation to dusty, extreme conditions. Ongoing real-time monitoring and rapid response protocols have maintained exceptional performance, proving the technology's reliability in real-world GCC scenarios.

Key Impacts and Results

• Unmatched Reliability in Arid Conditions: The UAE pilots achieved 99.998% uptime, generating consistent water even at 25°C/30% RH—conditions where rivals produce near-zero output. Global data from 2021-2024 confirms operation 90%+ of the year in dry climates.

• Energy and Cost Efficiency: With usage at 0.45-0.6 kWh/liter for smaller units and 0.24 kWh/liter for larger ones, costs are significantly lower than desalination or water trucking, offering ROI in 2-3 years while reducing carbon footprints.

• Superior Water Quality and Sustainability: Produced water surpasses stringent standards with zero detectable contaminants, eliminating brine waste and terrorist risks associated with traditional sources.

• Versatile Applications: Beyond AWG, units double as dehumidifiers; mobile 50-liter/day versions suit military needs, while residential (100-300 liters/day) and point-of-use (20-50 liters/day) models expand accessibility.

• Funding Milestone: WaHa raised $8 million in Series A-1 funding in July 2025, fueling accelerated growth, product enhancements, and deeper GCC penetration through Dicode.

This partnership has already produced thousands of liters in pilots, demonstrating tangible reductions in import dependency and environmental strain.

Looking Ahead: A Water-Secure Future

As WaHa expands its portfolio; backed by 14 patent families and a stellar team including reticular chemistry pioneer Professor Omar Yaghi, Dicode is positioning the technology for widespread adoption. Future plans include larger-scale implementations in agriculture and smart cities, further aligning with UAE's innovation ecosystem.