Zerodha’s founder and CEO, Nithin Kamath, has cast a stark light on the condition of drinking water pipelines in India. Kamath shared a video showing the alarming state of these pipes, coated thickly with years of accumulated grime and potential contaminants.
In the unsettling footage, the internal walls of the water pipelines are barely visible, cloaked under layers of greenish-brown substances. The video hints at severe contamination issues, potentially from sewage leaks, making the water flowing through these pipes look anything but safe.
While some impurities in water are expected, and most households use water filters to manage this, the state of the pipes shown in Kamath’s video underscores a deeper problem. The footage has sparked concern about the safety and cleanliness of the water we consume daily.
The disturbing video was captured by robots developed by Solinas, a Chennai-based startup born from an IIT Madras student project. Solinas is at the forefront of addressing such challenges through advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. Their robotic systems, such as the Endobot, are designed to navigate water pipelines, identifying leaks, contamination, and other invisible issues that could compromise water quality.
Solinas’ technology goes beyond efficiency and early detection. It’s also revolutionizing the hazardous task of manual scavenging. The company has developed specialized robots for cleaning manholes and septic tanks, significantly reducing the need for human involvement in these dangerous and unsanitary tasks. This innovation not only safeguards the health of sanitation workers but also enhances the overall safety and hygiene of the water supply system.
According to reports, Solinas has already had a significant impact. The startup has provided cleaner water to over 100,000 households, empowered sanitation workers, and conserved millions of liters of water daily. Their partnership with Rainmatter, a venture capital firm focused on sustainable solutions, aims to further this mission by targeting a 20% reduction in water leakage and contamination and completely eliminating manual sewage cleaning.
With their comprehensive solutions now implemented in over 30 cities, Solinas serves a broad range of clients, including global corporations and government bodies. Their technology and approach have earned recognition from various Indian ministries, positioning Solinas as a leader in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. They are ambitiously setting their sights on becoming India’s first unicorn in this critical field.
Through the integration of robotics and AI, Solinas is paving the way for a future where clean water is more accessible, and sanitation work is safer. Their efforts are not only making significant strides in improving water quality but are also transforming the sanitation industry, promoting sustainability and safety on a large scale.
