Combining electro-chemical engineering and mobile phone networks, Seva Sustainable Sanitation has created a self-sustaining solar-powered toilet that treats wastewater.
The Seva Sustainable Sanitation innovation is a smart, electro-chemical toilet unit, which is suitable for use in off-grid rural areas of developing countries. It can turn toilet wastewater into disinfected water, using the power from its mounted solar panels to sterilize and clarify it. Macronutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus can be nearly fully recovered from the waste, leaving nothing but water that is recycled for flushing or irrigation. The toilet unit is also equipped with sensors, a mobile phone-based maintenance guide, and smart grid technology that empowers anyone in the community to repair the system when necessary. When a toilet is out of order, the technology automatically directs users to other nearby sanitation systems. So far, the solution has been deployed in four countries.
Why you should care
Worldwide, 2.4 billion people lack access to safe and adequate sanitation, resulting in sanitation-related diseases being one of the leading killers of children under the age of five. Additionally, the World Health Organisation estimates that half of the worlds population will be living in water stressed areas by 2025. By delivering an easily repairable sanitation technology that also treats wastewater, Seva Sustainable Sanitation helps solve these problems.