Bangkok--11 Apr--Asian Institute of Technology
A team from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) showcased two toilet prototypes at the Reinvent the Reinventing the Toilet Fair held to coincide with World Water Day celebrations in New Delhi on 22 March 2014.
Led by Dr. Thammarat Koottatep of Environment Engineering and Management (EEM) field of study at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), the Naturally Acceptable and Technologically Sustainable (NATS) Toilet team from AIT displayed a Solar Septic Tank and a Hydrocyclone toilet.
Elaborating on the AIT contribution, Dr. Thammarat stated that both prototypes drew considerable attention of the participants. Besides, different agencies working in the field of water and sanitation have shown interest in pilot testing of these technologies. The Solar Septic Tank is a modification of the conventional septic tank, Dr. Thammarat said. It increases the bio-degradation rate, which leads to greater efficiency in disinfection compared to conventional septic tanks. The second prototype uses a black water separator and an onsite solid and liquid disinfection technology, he added.
On display at the fair were innovative products and approaches that seek to bring safe, affordable and sustainable sanitation. These include efforts to create toilets that are not connected to water, sewer, or electricity; and are targeted at improving the collection, treatment, and disposal of human waste; addressing behavior change; and raising awareness of this critical issue for governments, stakeholders, and local communities.
The fair was co-hosted by the Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the support of India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Urban Development, and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
NATS team of AIT is a grant recipient from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), which has awarded 16 Reinvent the Toilet Challenge grants to researchers around the world to develop “next-generation” toilets that are environmentally safe, sustainable, and affordable. Representing AIT at the fair were Dr. Thammarat Koottatep, Prof. Chongrak Polprasert, Dr. Atitaya Panuvatvanich, Dr. Nawatch Surinkul, Mr. Jirasak Rojanacongse, Dr. Saroj Kumar Chapagain, and Mr. Tatchai Pussyanavin. AIT's partner Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune, India was represented by Prof. Siddharth Jabade, Dr. Dhananjay Bhatkhande, Mr. Sanjay Waghulade, Mr. Anil Gosavi, and Mrs. Ujwala Gosavi.
Photo caption: Dr. Thammarat Koottatep briefs the participants about his prototype.