Bengalurus wastewater management may get Swiss tech boost

Bengaluru’s wastewater management systems may soon receive a global upgrade, with Swiss start-ups expressing interest in piloting advanced treatment technologies at the city’s sewage treatment plants (STPs).

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has taken up the initiative as part of its push to adopt innovative and sustainable solutions for water and wastewater management.

V. Ram Prasath Manohar, chairman, BWSSB, said that several Swiss start-ups are keen on deploying their solutions within BWSSB’s infrastructure on a pilot basis. 

The development follows a high-level videoconference held on Monday between the BWSSB chairman and Angela Honegger, CEO and Consul General of Swissnex India.

“To encourage the adoption of new ideas and technologies, BWSSB has formulated a new scheme that allows start-ups to implement innovative solutions in wastewater management and water supply on a pilot basis,” Mr. Manohar said.

The scheme is aimed at providing start-ups with an opportunity to test their proof-of-concept models in real-world conditions. According to BWSSB officials, such pilots would help start-ups refine their technologies while enabling the utility to assess their feasibility, efficiency and scalability before wider adoption.

Highlighting the potential benefits of the collaboration, Mr. Manohar noted that Switzerland has globally recognised wastewater management systems. “We welcome that Swiss universities and startups are coming forward to invest in technology in our sewage treatment plants. This collaboration will not only ensure the highest quality of treated water but will also provide our board engineers with exposure to global-standard technologies,” he said.