What started as concern over India's growing water quality crisis has turned into an award-winning innovation by twin sisters from Delhi-NCR. Naina and Nayantara Singh, Class XII students at Step by Step School in Noida, have developed a low-cost water filtration system designed to remove microplastics and PFAS, harmful substances often known as "forever chemicals" because they can remain in the environment and human body for years.
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The sisters were inspired to act after learning about declining groundwater quality and increasing contamination in water sources. Speaking to TOI, Nayantara said, "When we came across a Delhi govt study highlighting groundwater depletion across all districts of the city, we felt it was a problem that deserved action." What began as an idea during Class XI eventually evolved into a year-long research project.
What is Aqua Sattva and how does it work?
The twins developed Aqua Sattva, a plant-based filtration system under their student startup, Hydra Nova. The innovation uses a combination of okra-fenugreek polymer and rice husk biochar packed into easy-to-use sachets that resemble tea bags.
