Aquagga Appoints Dhileep Sivam as CEO to Advance Groundbreaking PFAS Destruction Technology
Tacoma-based environmental technology company Aquagga has appointed Dhileep Sivam as its new chief executive officer to lead the commercialization of its innovative PFAS destruction technology. The company, which has demonstrated its ability to eliminate 99% of these hazardous “forever chemicals” from contaminated water, is preparing to scale up its operations under Sivam’s leadership.
Sivam brings extensive technology sector experience to the role, including nearly a decade at Intellectual Ventures, where he participated in launching multiple startups. His recent positions include serving as entrepreneur-in-residence at the University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute and vice president of sciences at Breakthrough Energy, Bill Gates’ climate change initiative.
The new CEO expressed his motivation for joining Aquagga, citing the meaningful mission of providing safe drinking water and the
opportunity to work with a high-performing team in a trust-based culture. The company, established in 2019, has developed its technology through collaboration with the University of Washington and Colorado School of Mines.
With 18 employees, Aquagga has secured over $10 million in federal grants, contracts, and customer revenue, along with $1.1 million from investors. The company plans to pursue Series A funding in early 2025, according to Sivam.
The startup’s mission addresses a critical environmental challenge. PFAS chemicals, widely used in products ranging from firefighting foam to food packaging and semiconductor manufacturing, have become a persistent drinking water contaminant nationwide. Recent federal regulations have set strict limits on PFAS levels in drinking water, while certain variants have been completely banned due to their association with health issues including cancer, immune system suppression, and developmental delays in children.
Aquagga’s technology stands out for its compact design, lower operating temperatures and pressures, continuous operation capability, and effectiveness in treating smaller PFAS compounds. The company has validated its approach through field demonstrations at various sites, including an Alaskan airport, a U.S. Air Force base, a 3M facility, and a Department of Defense location.
The company’s commercial system, named Stampede, will be housed in a standard shipping container and utilize a combination of high temperature (570°F), pressure, and caustic conditions to break down PFAS into non-toxic components. Aquagga aims to begin shipping these units by late 2025, with plans to offer both purchase and lease options. The company is also considering establishing centralized treatment facilities where customers can bring concentrated
contaminated water for processing.
Sivam will focus on team leadership and customer engagement in his new role, emphasizing his passion for people management and helping others excel. The company, whose name references the extinct quagga (a zebra relative), identifies as a “zebra company” prioritizing cooperation over aggressive competition in addressing PFAS contamination.
Aquagga’s leadership team includes co-founders Chris Woodruff as Chief Operations Officer and Brian Pinkard as Chief Technology Officer. Woodruff highlighted Sivam’s background in sustainability and cleantech innovation as particularly well-aligned with the company’s core values of curiosity, professionalism, and environmental impact. Sivam succeeds former CEO and co-founder Nigel Sharp, who stepped down in August.
The company’s progression from early-stage testing to commercial deployment represents a significant milestone in addressing the widespread challenge of PFAS contamination, with its technology offering a promising solution for water treatment facilities, industrial sites, and environmental remediation projects nationwide.
