Jackie Gold, Director of Business Development, Kim Nace, Co-Founder and CEO, Abraham Noe-Hays, Co-Founder and CTO. Brightwater photos.
Vermont Business Magazine Brightwater Tools, a pioneering Vermont-based company, is making a national wave with its groundbreaking approach to sustainability and resource recovery. The company is turning human urine into a viable and environmentally friendly fertilizer alternative—helping to combat soaring fertilizer prices and worsening water pollution while strengthening Vermont’s reputation as a hub for innovative startups.
A spin-off of the Rich Earth Institute, Brightwater Tools is scaling up technology that has already proven successful in addressing key agricultural and environmental challenges. With nitrogen fertilizer prices up 300% since 2021 and over 15,000 U.S. bodies of water contaminated by nutrient pollution, the need for alternatives is more urgent than ever.
Brightwater Tools’ solution significantly reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and cuts harmful environmental waste by safely collecting and repurposing human urine as a nutrient-rich agricultural input.
The success of the Rich Earth Institute’s Urine Nutrient Reclamation Program (UNRP) demonstrates the potential of this approach—having already diverted 12,000+ gallons of urine annually from wastewater systems to be safely processed and used on Vermont farmland. Recognizing the opportunity to scale this impact, the Rich Earth Institute launched Brightwater Tools to commercialize the technology and bring it to more communities.
With support from a $1.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase I and II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, Brightwater Tools is developing innovative wastewater treatment systems that transform human waste into two valuable resources: non-potable water and natural fertilizer. This breakthrough aligns with growing concerns over water conservation and nutrient pollution, as 1.2 trillion gallons of drinkable water are wasted annually just from flushing toilets, while excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollution affect 40% of lake acres and 58% of rivers and streams in the U.S.
“Our bodies create an abundance of valuable nutrients, and right now, these nutrients are not only wasted but are actively contributing to environmental harm,” says Kim Nace, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightwater Tools. “Brightwater Tools is ensuring that instead of polluting waterways, these resources are captured and repurposed to help farmers grow food more sustainably.”
The environmental benefits of Brightwater Tools’ system are substantial. Research has shown that urine-based fertilizer can replace synthetic fertilizers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve millions of gallons of water—a particularly vital benefit in regions affected by drought and water scarcity.
Beyond agriculture, Brightwater Tools’ technology addresses broader wastewater management challenges. 15% of U.S. wastewater treatment plants are at or over capacity, and 23,000+ sanitary sewer overflows occur each year, releasing untreated waste into the environment. By capturing nutrients at the source, Brightwater Tools helps alleviate strain on outdated infrastructure while offering a practical, scalable solution.
About Brightwater Tools
Brightwater Tools is a Vermont-based company pioneering innovative solutions in sustainability and resource recovery. A spin-off of the Rich Earth Institute, the company focuses on commercializing technology that repurposes human urine as an environmentally friendly fertilizer alternative, reducing pollution and promoting circular economy principles in agriculture.
Source: Brattleboro, Vt. (March 19, 2025) – Brightwater Tools