Redefining Wastewater Treatment: Tellus Habitat’s Vision for Decentralized, Sustainable Urban Sanitation

An article by Dr. Seema Sukhani – Co-founder & Director, Tellus Habitat – on redefining wastewater treatment through decentralized, bio-microbial sanitation systems. Drawing on her expertise as an environmental engineer from IISc Bengaluru, Dr. Seema Sukhani explores how low-energy, chemical-free solutions are reshaping urban sanitation and highlights Tellus Habitat’s journey from innovation to policy alignment, and the role of decentralized systems in advancing circular economy, climate resilience, and water security in Indian cities.

1- Could you elaborate on your revenue model—particularly the balance between product sales, maintenance contracts, and consulting services? How has this model evolved since your inception in 2021?

Tellus Habitat operates on a blended model of product sales, annual maintenance contracts (AMC), and consulting/advisory services. Initially (2021–2022), revenue was largely project-based through sales and installations. As systems matured, recurring revenues from O&M contracts (20–25% of revenues today) became a key stabilizer. Consulting and advisory services for lake rejuvenation, public sanitation, and policy inputs contribute another 10–15%. The model has evolved from one-time sales to a lifecycle engagement approach, ensuring both financial sustainability and long-term environmental impact.

2- Many wastewater treatment systems rely heavily on chemicals and high energy inputs. How does Tellus Habitat’s microbial approach redefine what ‘clean technology’ means in the wastewater sector?

Traditional STPs often rely on chemical dosing (alum, PAC, chlorine) and high energy aeration, which create secondary pollution and high operational costs. Tellus Habitat’s microbial consortia and biofilm-based treatment eliminate chemical dependence, minimize sludge generation, and cut energy demand by up to 40%. This biological-first approach redefines “clean technology” by making treatment regenerative rather than extractive, aligning with principles of ecological engineering and climate resilience.

3- Tellus Habitat uses a pulse-mode bio-microbial process and IoT monitoring—how do these technologies compare in efficiency and reliability to traditional STP systems? Can you walk us through a typical treatment cycle?

The pulse-feed microbial process creates controlled anoxic–oxic conditions, boosting nutrient removal and reducing aeration time. Compared to conventional STPs, which run continuously at high loads, R3H2O achieves higher reliability, lower downtime, and up to 30% lower OPEX. Treatment cycle (typical 6–8 hours batch):

• Screening & Equalization → solids removed.
• Pulse-Mode Biological Treatment → microbial action in cyclic aerobic/anaerobic conditions.
• Polishing (gravel + carbon + water bed) → final polishing & disinfection.
• Water Reuse → routed for flushing, gardening, or recharge.

4- Your system achieves up to 97% water recovery. How do you see decentralized STPs contributing to circular economy models in urban areas—particularly in water-stressed regions?

⁠Decentralized STPs & the Circular Economy- With 97% water recovery, decentralized systems transform wastewater into a local water source. In water-stressed cities, they reduce dependence on freshwater tankers, mitigate groundwater depletion, and create closed loops for toilet flushing, landscaping, cooling towers, and urban lakes. Beyond water, the minimal sludge generated can be co-composted, reinforcing circular urban metabolism and reducing waste footprints.

5- How many units have been deployed so far, and in which geographies or sectors (residential, industrial, government)? What is the average capacity and scale of these installations?

Since inception, 40+ units have been deployed across residential complexes, tech parks, schools, government facilities, and eco-tourism sites in states like Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Bihar. Capacities range from 5 KLD to 250 KLD, with an average of 50–70 KLD. Larger pilots (e.g., public toilets, coastal management sites) are underway, demonstrating adaptability across geographies and sectors.

6- What regulatory or policy shifts would most accelerate the adoption of decentralized, chemical-free wastewater systems in India? Are there existing government schemes you’re aligning with (e.g., AMRUT, SBM, Jal Jeevan Mission)?

One of the biggest regulatory shifts that could really accelerate the adoption of decentralized, chemical-free wastewater systems in India would be mandating decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs) for housing societies with more than 50 units, as well as for public toilets. That kind of requirement would push adoption at the grassroots level.

Another key enabler would be government incentives—specifically targeted at promoting chemical-free, zero-sludge technologies. That would not only encourage innovation but also make it more viable for developers and municipalities to adopt sustainable solutions.

From a policy alignment perspective, we’re already working closely within the frameworks of major national schemes like AMRUT 2.0, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), and the Jal Jeevan Mission. We see a strong synergy, especially with SBM’s emphasis on faecal sludge management and AMRUT’s focus on urban water reuse. These missions are setting the direction, and we’re making sure our solutions are closely aligned with those goals.

7- Have you explored or secured climate finance or impact investment? How important is ESG-focused capital in scaling clean technologies like yours in India and beyond?

Tellus Habitat is actively exploring impact investment, CSR partnerships, and green funds. ESG-focused capital is crucial as our systems directly reduce GHG emissions (lower energy/chemicals), water stress, and AMR risks. We see strong potential in climate-linked funds and carbon credit mechanisms tied to wastewater reuse and avoided emissions.

8- Your system claims compliance with CPCB and WHO standards—could you share more about the certification process, any audits you undergo, and how these benchmarks influence your system design or upgrades?

R3H2O systems are designed to comply with CPCB discharge norms (BOD <10 mg/L, COD <30 mg/L) and align with WHO reuse guidelines. Independent lab audits and government testing (e.g., Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Goa State PCB) validate performance. These benchmarks drive continuous upgrades in microbial formulation, process integration, and polishishing stages, ensuring global-standard compliance.

9- What are your plans for scaling operations in the next 2–3 years? Are you exploring partnerships with urban local bodies or smart city missions to drive adoption at a larger scale?

Over the next two to three years, our focus is very much on scale—both in terms of reach and operational capability. We’re aiming to expand to over 100 installations, with a particular emphasis on public toilets, eco-tourism destinations, and smart campuses where decentralized, chemical-free systems can make an immediate impact.

To drive this growth, we’re actively exploring strategic partnerships with Urban Local Bodies, Smart City Missions, and even tourism departments. These collaborations are key to reaching communities at scale and aligning with broader urban and sustainability goals.

We’re also setting up dedicated manufacturing and service hubs, initially in South and West India, to enable faster deployment and reduce turnaround times. On top of that, we’re leveraging digital O&M platforms to enable predictive servicing and more efficient maintenance across all our installations. That’s going to be crucial as we scale and ensure consistent performance across geographies.

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