Eddy Dureuil didn’t set out in life to save the world’s water.
He came to that realization when he noticed most homes in Quebec didn’t have water meters, and people had no idea how much water they were using. Water scarcity plagues the planet, yet people’s water usage didn’t reflect that reality.
Then, the arrival of his first child brought a new sense of urgency. He asked himself: what could he do, as a dad, to leave a better planet for his kids?
Before starting his company, he studied hospitality and then business. Coming from Martinique, he wasn’t always afforded every opportunity in life, and had to work hard in hospitality sector jobs and a car rental agency. He dreamed of being an entrepreneur who could also make a difference.
He wanted to build a business that combined service and care for the environment. More importantly, he wanted to act.
Trial and Error
Eddy’s early days developing a business were defined by uncertainty. There was no finished product, no manufactured technology, just an idea on paper and the belief that better data could change behavior and reduce water waste.
He spent months meeting municipalities and organizations on the ground, explaining a solution that did not yet exist in physical form. Trying to sell a vision without a prototype requires persistence, credibility, and trust. The journey could have easily stalled in these moments, but his beliefs kept him moving. All the while, he kept working his day job, dreaming of doing something more.
Finally, he got his break - a connection with the City of Terrebonne told him about the AquaHacking program. He registered in 2021.
AquaAction as a Support System
Joining AquaHacking marked a turning point for Eddy. He developed his business, Ecotime, along with co-founder Timothé Roy-Bouchard which not only tracked water usage but offered water recycling Oasis units that turned greywater and run-off water into usable water. With AquaHacking, they got the guidance, coaching seed funding and legitimacy needed to turn this idea into reality.
Timothé Roy-Bouchard and Eddy Dureuil, AquaHacking 2021.
AquaAction’s recognition gave the project momentum. It helped unlock trust with partners who needed reassurance before taking a risk on an innovative solution.
Measurable Impact
Now, Eddy is achieving his dream of a big impact on water savings. Last year alone, Ecotime’s solution has helped to save more than 260 million litres of water. That is the equivalent of the annual consumption of roughly 1,000 people!
For Eddy, that number represents more than just efficiency. It is proof that to save our planet’s water, what matters most isn’t perfection, it’s action. And he can now look into his children’s eyes and show them anything is possible if they put in the work for the right cause.
Why This Story Matters Now
Eddy’s journey is not an exception. It is exactly why AquaHacking exists. As AquaAction prepares for the 2026 Binational AquaHacking program, stories like this one show what is possible when innovators are given the tools, support, and confidence to keep going through the hardest moments.
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