Pioneering End-to-End Sanitation Solutions for Institutional Use-case

Interview with Uttam Banerjee,Co- Founder & CEO, Ekam Eco.

Ekam Eco Solutions is an Ahmedabad-based organisation that builds hygienic sanitation systems. One of their flagship products is Zerodor, a solution designed for odor-free and waterfree urinals. We discuss this innovation and explore its environmental and social impact.

What drove you to address the problem of water wastage in urinals?

When we talk about sanitation, we often focus on aesthetics and whether we’ve achieved open defecation-free status. However, we rarely consider what happens to the waste after we flush and how it’s managed. Our water bodies in urban areas are in a mess – our sanitation systems in cities being the primary culprit. Water wastage and consumption is significantly higher, especially in commercial setups like offices, malls, theatres, and public institutions. The wastewater from these establishments often goes untreated. We focus on three main aspects to provide end-to-end sanitation solutions for commercial B2B establishments and public spaces.

• Reducing water wastage in restrooms
• Treating the sewage from restrooms
• Managing contamination in sewage caused by cleaning agents

What is the core mechanism behind Zerodor? How compatible is it with existing institutional urinals and restrooms, and are there any technical limitations?

Typically, urinals are flushed to control odor caused by gases coming from the drain line. Urine, being a liquid, flows easily through gravity into the drain pipe, but gases generated in the pipe rise back into the washroom, creating the odor.

Zerodor is a small device that attaches to an existing men’s urinal, allowing it to be retrofitted into the current setup. It works through a mechanical one-way valve that creates a barrier between the drain pipe and the washroom. The valve opens to let the urine flow into the pipe. After the flow stops, it seals shut, preventing gases from coming back up. This keeps the washroom odor-free, eliminating the need for flushing.

Zerodor can be used with any urinal that has a provision for a standard waste coupling. Waste coupling is the metallic fitting found at the centre of wash basins, connecting the basin to the drain. Zerodor replaces this in urinals. The product can be retrofitted easily if the urinal has a 40 mm (approx.) diameter pan with a waste coupling provision.

What is the cost of implementing this solution?

We offer different variants—some with pans, some without—using different materials and finishes, ranging from classic to premium. Prices start at around ₹3,000–₹3,500 per urinal and can range from ₹14,000 to ₹16,000 per unit, depending on the variant.

Have you analysed how long it takes for the product to pay for itself?

On average, regardless of the model, the return on investment (ROI) for retrofits is approximately 6 to 7 months. We’ve calculated the ROI considering some key factors.

• First, there is water savings—one urinal can save approximately 100,000 to 150,000 litres of water per year. Without a waterless system, this water goes into the treatment plant, increasing operational and maintenance costs.
• Second, pumping costs—water must be pumped into overhead tanks for supply, adding costs for the pump, motor, and maintenance.
• Third, you save on consumables like chemical fragrances and urinal blocks.

You can avoid the installation of flushing lines and sensors altogether for a new installation, reducing the ROI to 2 months.

How long has the product been in the market, and what were the initial market challenges you faced when introducing it?

The product was officially launched in 2013, though we started installations as trials in 2009. Some installations from 2011–2013 are still running smoothly.

Initially, the main challenge was creating awareness, as people weren’t familiar with waterless urinals as a concept. Another challenge was changing the mindset that flushing is mandatory, as we’ve all been conditioned from childhood to think it’s essential. It took time to convince people that a dry surface is better than a wet one. We had to present medical reports and scientific evidence showing that waterless urinals are safer and more hygienic.

In the early days, some clients even faced backlash from their employees. This scepticism remains a challenge as we still need to reach a broader audience.

However, awareness has grown significantly in the last couple of years, especially post-COVID. We now receive nearly 20 inquiries daily from large corporations looking to install waterless urinals, often for green building certifications and water conservation.

Are you concerned about product duplication?

We’re not particularly worried about product duplication. Some have tried copying us, but they have failed because it’s not just about the product’s technical aspects. We analyse everything, from restroom design to drain pipes, and offer customised solutions. The cost of the product depends on this level of customisation. We also advise customers on best practices for maintaining their washrooms. We offer a one-stop solution for sanitation, health, and hygiene. Our deep understanding of the sector and customers’ pain points helps ensure our success.

Additionally, the product contains trade secrets and proprietary elements that, if not copied accurately, will not function properly.

What’s your current scale of operations?

We serve pan-India with installations from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Our core team is based in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, and we have a plumbing team that handles installations nationwide. Additionally, we work with a network of channel partners.

We’re also working on expanding internationally. So far, Zerodor has over 60,000 installations. We’ve served around 700–800 customers with Zerodor and STP solutions.

What other products or technologies are currently central to your sanitation solutions?

Apart from Zerodor, we’re focusing on sewage treatment solutions. We believe sewage holds nutrients that can be recovered and reutilized. Our treatment systems are portable and scalable—if your initial load is 5 KLD and it increases to 10 or 15, you can simply add more units. These setups use specially formulated aerobic and anaerobic biocultures to treat sewage into nutrient-rich, filtered water, 60–70% of which can be reused for flushing, gardening, or cleaning.

We also offer a range of natural, plant and food-based cleaning products—like toilet and floor cleaners, dishwashing, and drain cleaning solutions—used by corporate housekeeping teams. These enzymatic cleaners support rather than harm the sewage treatment process. So, our three focus areas are waterless urinals, portable STPs, and natural cleaners.

This interview was first published in Cleantech Hero’s March – April magazine edition, 2025.