India has the potential to excel in sustainable wastewater management by embracing nature-inspired technologies that cut energy usage and enhance water recycling, as per an expert. Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, Bharathan highlighted that India’s escalating wastewater issue offers a platform for local innovations to make a positive impact on the environment and economy. With about 80% of the nation’s sewage untreated, it leads to significant pollution of water bodies like rivers and lakes.
ECOSTP Technologies has introduced a wastewater treatment solution inspired by biomimicry, a method that emulates natural processes. The company has mimicked a cow’s stomach functions to treat sewage naturally, eliminating the need for electricity, chemicals, or mechanical devices. Unlike traditional sewage treatment systems that heavily rely on energy-intensive aeration processes, ECOSTP’s gravity-based system utilizes specially engineered bacteria and underground chambers resembling a cow’s stomach compartments to naturally purify wastewater.
The technology, developed in partnership with IIT Jammu, aims to convert sewage into reusable clean water autonomously, without human intervention, moving parts, or continuous power supply. Having treated over 9 billion liters of wastewater nationwide, the startup operates in 24 states and has expanded its services to Bangladesh, the Maldives, and is venturing into African markets like Mozambique and Kenya to provide sustainable water treatment solutions.
Bharathan emphasized that India’s wastewater challenge is not just a governance issue but a technological hurdle, given the high costs and energy demands of existing treatment systems. He highlighted that nature-based solutions are well-suited for Indian conditions and can significantly contribute to water conservation and environmental pollution reduction. ECOSTP Technologies, recognized under the Startup India initiative, has received accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and won the Most Circular Economy Business Innovator Award for promoting sustainable practices.
