The infrastructure build-out in India is about modernizing highways, railways, telecom, ports,and power. But there is a very important and often overlooked element in the effort to create a better quality of life for citizens and tourists alike: The creation of an urban sanitation infrastructure.

Eram Scientific, an engineering and clean tech company, has taken on the challenge of addressing public sanitation by developing a product that is portable, hygienically maintained, and eco-friendly.

The e-Toilet, otherwise known as “Delight Bharath” is the result of the convergence of electronic, mobile, web, and bio technologies. The insertion of a coin opens the door of the e-Toilet for the user, switches on a light—thus saving energy—and even directs the person with auto commands. The toilets are programmed to flush 1.5 liters of water after 3 minutes of usage or 4.5 liters if usage is longer. It can also be programmed to clean the platform with a complete wash down after every 5 or 10 persons use the toilet.

The e-toilet prototype took shape in 2009, with a commercial version available in January of 2010.

Problem

The plight of Indian sanitation system has been miserable all these years. And to add to its misery, despite its remarkable technological and industrial advancements in the global arena, there has been no effectual stir made so far in Indian history in order to curb the issues arising due to inadequate sanitation amenities and poor hygiene. The existing conventional sanitation facilities in cities and towns are derisory and lack proper hygiene and cleanliness. As a matter of fact, most of the times, people hesitate to make use of the public provision for sanitation. The lack of a self sustainable sanitation model has been a major drawback found in the current traditional sanitation system. So far, there has been no attractive proposition & commercial benefit from the existing sanitation system. Inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene claim thousands of lives in our country every year and studies show that as a result of this, there is a compounded rise in the deaths caused due to waterborne diseases, diarrhoea etc. People who live in urban as well as rural areas alike are facing the fatal consequences arising due to inadequate sanitation, especially in public places. We are working on a mission to have all Indian Cities with modern sterilized public sanitation system. To further improve our Urban Sanitation Infrastructure, such projects with huge social relevance are inevitable. This strong conviction provoked us to work in this highly neglected and risk prone segment.

Solution

The e-toilet works on total auto mode: The insertion of a coin opens the door for the user, switches on the light - thus saving energy - and even directs the user with audio commands. The toilets are programmed to flush 1.5 liters of water if the user takes up to 3 minutes, and 4.5 liters of water if the usage is longer. They can also be programmed to clean the platform after every 5 or 10 persons use the toilet. The e-toilet is the result of a convergence of electronics, web and mobile technologies, featuring automated door opening, power flushing, automatic closet washing and sterilization, and automatic platform cleaning mechanism, all backed by SMS alerts to inform the control room about the status of water tank and bio gas plant in the event of any errors or failures through which the downtime can be minimized. The solid and liquid wastes are treated scientifically. A bio-membrane reactor is used to treat solid wastes and the water used is purified for reuse. The uniqueness of the solution lies in the built-in electronic innovations that will facilitate self cleaning of the toilets with minimum water usage, and treatment of solid waste and water with a biological sewage treatment solution that is affordable and long lasting.

Exemple

Delight works on sustainable revenue models of user fee collection and revenue generated through advertisements. This amount collected can be used for further maintenance and cleaning of the units. There are multiple revenue models, including outright purchase by local bodies, a sponsored model involving CSR funding by corporates, and an entrepreneurship model where the operator can have a parallel revenue stream by getting advertisements on the exterior and walls that accommodate scrolling and back-lit displays. The installation cost and other related expenses can easily be recovered through the daily collection. This will provide income for maintain the unit in clean and perfect working condition. The agency or local body can recoup its investment in the e-sanitation facility through the coin collection and advertisement revenue within a short period of time. The entrepreneurial model can generate employment opportunities. Unemployed youth or small entrepreneurs can take benefit of this opportunity by taking bank loans and installing and managing the unit in their region. The loan repayment can be ensured through the advertisement and collection revenue.

Marché

Inspite of the large untapped sector, there apparently has not been any concerted intervention by others nor any technology intervention. This is a highly non-glamorous sector and it is also not an easy commercial proposition for even established players. Hence India has had no players and no competition in this sector. But there are many conventional players who are specialists in brick and mortar toilets which seen everywhere across India but the pathetic situation of the conventional public toilets ward off the public who are also reluctant to use it. There has been no technology intervention in the sanitation sector even with advancement in all other fields. Delight being the first of its kind in India has had no counterpart till date and we are the Patent Pending manufacturers of India’s First eToilet.