Jharkhand Start-up wins patent for its smart water technology; launches eco-barter model
It is now an action station in rural Jharkhand, where a technological breakthrough enables and empowers the masses through access to clean drinking water in areas prone to severe groundwater contamination. A start-up, named TAP@APP, has come out with a smart water system that blends Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile connectivity to monitor and manage groundwater quality.
TAP@APP, the contraption designed and fabricated by Saket Kumar and his team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, goes far beyond traditional water testing. It offers predictive diagnostics and alerts, enabling communities to take action before contamination becomes a crisis.
Today the start-up also celebrates the receipt of a national patent for its creation. Granted after six years of rigorous fieldwork and technical refinement, the patent marks a significant step forward in the fight against water contamination, particularly in rural areas.
How the system works
The system uses proprietary imaging and titration sensors, alongside AI-based analytics, to provide real-time readings of water quality. It is capable of detecting common contaminants like arsenic and bacteria and sends instant alerts to local monitoring hubs or connected smartphones.
“We envisioned a solution that is not only about detection but about prevention,” explains Mr. Kumar, CEO of VAS Bros Enterprises Pvt Ltd (VBEPL), the company behind the innovation. “Our focus has been on making this technology scalable, affordable, and accessible to those who need it the most,” he told Southonomix in an exclusive chat.
But the innovation doesn’t end with the technology itself. TAP@APP is embedded within an eco-barter model that incentivizes villagers to engage in sustainable practices. Through the BarterWATER for Sustainability programme, launched by VBEPL’s social arm, WaterBANK Foundation Trust, local communities earn “RainbowCredits” for completing eco-friendly tasks such as segregating waste, constructing bamboo drainage systems, or crafting bamboo products.
These credits can then be exchanged for clean drinking water, with households able to earn up to 1,000 liters of purified water or locally-made bamboo goods.
The First Pilot
The first pilot of this initiative was launched in Pakri village, located in Bihar’s Dumaria panchayat, an area historically affected by arsenic contamination. The water purification process used in the system, OAS (Oxidation Arsenic System), was developed at IIT Kharagpur and uses treated laterite, a naturally occurring material, to filter toxins from water.
VAS Bros Enterprises is now preparing to scale up the production of OAS units at the Lohardagga Industrial Area, with land support from the Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority (JIADA). The wider programme has already attracted support from a number of national and international organizations, including Pan IIT USA, WIN Foundation, WHEELS Global Foundation, and HUSK Power Systems.
Further, the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region and the National Bamboo Mission are collaborating to establish bamboo-based livelihoods across the region, while the National Skill Development Corporation is working to train local youth, especially women, in skills such as water testing, system maintenance, and bamboo craftsmanship.
“This is not just a water project; it’s a rural economy project,” says Mr. Kumar. “It’s about creating green jobs, empowering local industries, and helping communities take ownership of their environmental future.”
The initiative has already garnered recognition from key policy makers. NITI Aayog and the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor have praised the project for its alignment with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Panchayati Raj governance framework. TAP@APP was also featured at the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York, highlighting its potential for wider adoption in regions facing water scarcity and contamination.
Villagers take ownership of the project
For many villagers, the programme has already begun to change their perception of water access. Rather than seeing themselves as passive recipients of aid, they are becoming active participants in their own development, earning water through environmental stewardship.
“In essence, it’s about dignity,” says Mr. Kumar. “Every drop of clean water earned through ecological responsibility is a symbol of empowerment.”
As climate change continues to exacerbate water scarcity and traditional infrastructure proves insufficient, TAP@APP offers a potential model for rural sustainability. One that doesn’t impose solutions from above but fosters community-driven innovation and cooperation, drop by drop, task by task.
