Water and sanitation are deeply linked parts of aspects of infrastructure. The overall public health of our communities depends heavily on easy access to potable water and appropriate sanitation measures that can prevent the spread of water-borne illnesses and outbreaks.

WaterAid is a multinational NGO and a major stakeholder in the WASH sector. Its mission is to deliver clean water, proper sanitation, and improved hygiene to the communities. In India, WaterAid is working to empower local communities and ensure the delivery of the right innovations and technologies in pursuit of clean water and sanitation for all.

To that end, the AGNIi Mission worked with WaterAid to organize a virtual technology showcase in early November. Four startups from the AGNIi portfolio were shortlisted by WaterAid to present their solutions to the team. These included:

• Maithri Aquatech: Their technology, Meghdoot, can condense atmospheric water vapor and filtering it into drinking water. Their dynamic filtration system utilizes activated charcoal, sediment filtration, UV filtration and mineralization to ensure a supply of clean drinking water.
• VayuJal: This startup specializes in the development of Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) in order to combat the water shortage crisis. They are incubated by IIT Madras Research Center and are part of their ‘Water for the Future’ initiative. Vayujal AWGs range from 30, 100, 400, 1000, and 2000 liters per day capacities.
• ECOSTP Technologies: They have developed a ‘Zero Power Zero Operator’ Sewage Treatment Technology that has no moving parts, compared to conventional STPs which use energy hogging motors, exhaust fans, pumps and blowers. The technology comprises of three separate chambers which are designed to ensure the ‘up- flow’ of sewage and are based on gravity. Each of the chambers has specific functionalities and components such as baffle pipes and media. Custom anaerobic bacteria work as a natural pollutant remover instead of relying on chemicals and energy-intensive processes for sewage treatment.
• Sankoya Technologies: They are a for-profit social enterprise that specializes in waste management and sanitation. Their Toilet 2.0 works as a waterless micro-treatment system powered by human waste. Using this system, solid waste is converted to pathogen-free ash without connections to water, sewerage and power infrastructure. On-site sanitation negates the need for downstream faecal sludge management (collection, transporting and processing).

These startups are in discussion;l with WaterAid for potential pilot opportunities moving forward. AGNIi remains committed for advancing the best of what Indian innovation has to offer in order to address the very pertinent needs of the WASH sector.