Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath shares disturbing video of drinking water pipes contaminated with grime and sewage

If you’re sipping on water at the time of reading this article, we suggest you gently set your tumbler down because there’s a good chance it could slip out of your hands and drop on the floor with a dramatic clatter.

Popular brokerage platform Zerodha’s founder and CEO Nithin Kamath recently shared a deeply disturbing and unsettling video of the insides of a drinking water pipeline. The walls of the pipes were practically invisible, mostly because of the layers upon years of various substances deposited on them.
It is normal for water to have some impurities — that’s why most of us have water filters, right? However, the water flowing through those particular pipes didn’t look safe in the least. Not to mention, the greenish-brown grime deposited did make our stomachs turn and eye the water next to us suspiciously. The footage also showed what might have been contamination from a sewage pipeline.

It remains unclear what the solution to this issue is, we could say that identifying the urgent need for better and cleaner water pipelines is the first step.

The videos were captured by robots developed by Solinas, a Chennai-based startup born from an IIT Madras student project. Solinas tackles these challenges head-on with advanced robotics and AI. Their approach utilises robots like Endobot to navigate water lines, identifying leaks, contamination, and other issues invisible to the naked eye. This strategy not only improves efficiency but also saves money through early detection and prevention.

But the impact of companies like Solinas goes beyond mere efficiency. Their robots are transforming a dangerous profession: manual scavenging. By developing robots specifically designed for cleaning manholes and septic tanks, Solinas eliminates the need for human contact with sewage, protecting sanitation workers from potential health risks.

As per reports, Solinas has provided clean water to over 100,000 households, empowered sanitation workers, and saved millions of litres of water daily. Partnering with Rainmatter, a venture capital firm focused on sustainable solutions, Solinas aims to make an even bigger splash. Their joint mission: reducing water leakage and contamination by 20% while eliminating manual sewage cleaning altogether.

By leveraging robotics and AI, they are ensuring cleaner water, safer working conditions, and a more sustainable future. Solinas says it has already implemented comprehensive solutions in over 30 cities, serving a diverse clientele including global corporations and government bodies. Their technology has even been recognized by Indian ministries, and Solinas is setting ambitious goals to become the nation's first WASH sector unicorn.