Meet Abhijeet Gan: The water man of Nagpur bringing clean water to millions

Abhijeet Gan, CEO of Nagpur-based Rite Water Solutions, fondly known as The Water Man of Nagpur stands as a visionary social entrepreneur and climate tech genius, as well as an intrapreneur who redefines entrepreneurship, transforming the lives of millions in rural India.

Abhijeet's path to social entrepreneurship was marked by academic brilliance. He earned a degree in computer engineering from the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani (BITS), followed by an MBA from SP Jain Institute in Mumbai.

Although poised for a lucrative career with Accenture, a transformative experience during a three-month stint at his father's business redirected his trajectory. It began in a village 100 km from Nagpur, grappling with high fluoride levels in the water, causing severe health issues in the villagers.

He told Bizz Buzz in an exclusive interview that in assisting his father in finding a solution, he successfully implemented a defluoridation system using electrolysis. His innovative approach caused fluoride compounds to settle, providing villagers with clean, fluoride-free water. He transformed adversity into innovation, exhibiting his resilience in the face of challenges. This breakthrough restored health and dignity to the affected communities, igniting his passion for sustainable solutions.

Driven by this success, Abhijeet forsook a conventional career path to redefine entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, founding Rite Water Solutions to deliver clean drinking water to rural areas through cutting-edge technology. His innovative water purification technologies, including the state-of-the-art electrolysis process, have garnered immense international acclaim

How do you foresee the role of technology evolving in the water and energy industries in the next decade?

Over the next decade, technology will significantly transform the water and energy industries. Advanced water treatment technologies will improve purification efficiency, while the integration of renewable energy sources, particularly solar, will reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The proliferation of IoT devices will enable real-time monitoring and smart management of resources, and AI and machine learning will optimise operations and predict trends. Decentralised systems will enhance resilience by providing localised solutions, and public-private partnerships will drive innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring sustainable and efficient resource management.

How do IoT-driven water management solutions help address common challenges in rural water supply schemes?

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program of the Government of India, three key performance indicators (KPIs) for rural water supply schemes under Har Ghar Nal Jal are: delivering sufficient water quantity at 55 liters per capita per day (LPCD), ensuring water quality, and maintaining adequate pressure through taps. IoT-based monitoring solutions are crucial in addressing these challenges. By enabling the large-scale deployment of sensors such as flow meters, quality sensors, and pressure sensors, IoT technology allows for real-time monitoring of these critical parameters. This comprehensive visibility ensures that water delivery meets the required standards for quantity, quality, and pressure. Moreover, IoT solutions provide access to data for all stakeholders, from gram panchayats to district and state authorities, and up to the central government. This transparency enhances accountability and performance management of the water supply schemes, making IoT an essential component in the successful implementation and sustainability of rural water initiatives.

What are the current trends in the water and energy sectors that are influencing Rite Water Solutions's strategic decisions?

Rite Water Solutions's strategic decisions are being shaped by several key trends in the water and energy sectors. These include the increasing adoption of advanced and energy-efficient technologies, a strong push towards solar-based solutions, and the growing importance of IoT-based monitoring systems. Advanced technologies are enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of water treatment processes, while solar energy solutions are being prioritised for their sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, IoT-based monitoring systems are becoming crucial for real-time data collection and management, improving the performance and accountability of water and energy infrastructure. These trends are guiding Rite Water Solutions to innovate and adapt in order to meet the evolving demands of the sectors.

Can you elaborate about how your company's vision has evolved since its founding in 2004?

Since its founding in 2004, Nagpur-based Rite Water Solutions's vision has undergone significant evolution. Initially, the company focused on industrial water solutions. However, it soon recognised the neglect of rural water needs and the pressing issues of groundwater contamination in underserved areas. In 2009, Rite Water shifted its focus to rural India (Bharat), dedicating itself to providing drinking water solutions to quality-affected habitations across the country. In recent years, the company has decided to leverage digital IoT applications for rural settings, aiming to transform the lives of rural communities.

What are the key environmental benefits of using advanced water treatment solutions compared to traditional methods?

Advanced water treatment methods, such as electrolysis-based solutions, nanotechnology, and advanced oxidation processes, offer several key environmental benefits compared to traditional methods. These benefits include improved water quality, higher recovery rates, reduced wastage, and more efficient energy utilisation.

How can water purification systems be designed to minimise waste and enhance sustainability?

Water purification systems can be designed to minimise waste and enhance sustainability by incorporating the following strategies:

1. High-Efficiency Filtration: Use advanced filtration technologies, such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and ultrafiltration, which can achieve high recovery rates and reduce the volume of waste generated.

2. Closed-Loop Systems: Implement closed-loop water recycling systems that treat and reuse water within the same facility, significantly reducing the need for fresh water and minimising wastewater discharge.

3. Energy-Efficient Processes: Integrate energy-efficient processes and equipment, such as energy recovery devices and renewable energy sources (e.g., solar or wind power), to reduce the overall energy consumption of the purification system.

4. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Utilize advanced oxidation processes that can effectively degrade contaminants with minimal chemical use, reducing the production of hazardous by-products.

5. Electrolysis-Based Solutions: Employ electrolysis-based methods that can break down pollutants without the need for additional chemical agents, leading to less chemical waste and more sustainable operation.

6. Nanotechnology: Leverage nanotechnology for targeted removal of contaminants, which can enhance purification efficiency and reduce the amount of waste generated.

7. Water Recovery Systems: Design systems with high water recovery rates to ensure that the maximum amount of treated water is reclaimed and reused, minimising the volume of sludge and brine that needs disposal.

8. Smart Monitoring and Control: Implement smart monitoring and control systems using IoT and AI technologies to optimise the purification process, detect inefficiencies, and reduce resource consumption.

How do you measure the social impact of your water and energy solutions in the communities you serve?

Rite Water Solutions measures the social impact of its water and energy solutions through various metrics. These include tracking the number of beneficiaries gaining access to clean water, volumes of water purified, number of farmers reached, CO2 emissions reduction. The company also evaluates the effectiveness of digital IoT solutions in enhancing efficiency and gathers user feedback to ensure continuous improvement.

How do government policies and regulations influence the adoption of water treatment solutions?

Government policies and regulations play a pivotal role in the adoption and implementation of water treatment solutions. Both Central and State Governments periodically issue guidelines and standards for water treatment, which set the framework within which companies like Rite Water Solutions operate. These guidelines often define the acceptable levels of various contaminants in drinking water, ensuring that the water treatment solutions meet public health standards.

Governments also evaluate and recommend specific technologies for water and sanitation based on their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for local conditions. In addition, government regulations often mandate regular monitoring and reporting of water quality, which drives the need for advanced water treatment systems that can consistently meet these standards. Compliance with these regulations is essential for companies to operate legally and maintain their licenses, thereby ensuring that only high-quality water treatment solutions are adopted. Furthermore, government-led initiatives and funding programs can significantly boost the deployment of water treatment infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural areas.

By providing guidelines, evaluating technologies, and offering financial support, governments play a crucial role in promoting sustainable water management practices and ensuring public health.

How does Rite Water Solutions ensure that its mission of providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions aligns with its business growth?

Rite Water Solutions ensures that its mission of providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions aligns with its business growth through several key strategies:

1. Innovative Technologies: By continuously investing in and adopting cutting-edge technologies like electrolysis-based solutions, nanotechnology, and advanced oxidation processes, Rite Water Solutions provides high-quality water treatment with minimal environmental impact. These advanced technologies not only improve efficiency but also reduce operational costs, aligning sustainability with business profitability.

2. Focus on Rural and Underserved Areas: Rite Water Solutions has a dedicated focus on addressing water quality issues in rural and underserved communities. By targeting these areas, the company taps into a large and often overlooked market, driving growth while fulfilling its mission to improve water access and quality for those most in need.

3. Scalable Solutions: The company designs scalable water treatment systems that can be easily adapted to different sizes and requirements. This flexibility allows Rite Water Solutions to cater to a broad range of customers, from small rural communities to larger municipal projects, thereby expanding its market reach and growth potential.

4. Cost-Effective Designs: Rite Water Solutions prioritises the development of cost-effective water treatment systems. By optimizing resource use and integrating energy-efficient processes, the company ensures that its solutions are affordable for customers, which in turn drives wider adoption and business growth.

5. Strong Partnerships: Rite Water Solutions builds strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support its projects and expand its impact. These collaborations help secure funding, access new markets, and drive large-scale implementations, contributing to both mission fulfillment and business expansion.

What are the key sustainability goals Rite Water Solutions aims to achieve in the next five years?

1. Expand Water Purification Capacity: Install over 25,000 plants to purify 1 billion liters of water.

2. Increase Access to Clean Drinking Water: Provide clean drinking water to 30 million people.

3. Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Install over 50,000 solar pumps with a combined capacity of 200MW, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 100,000 tons annually.

4. Wastewater Treatment: Treat 20 billion liters of wastewater to prevent pollution from entering rivers.

5. Integrate Digital IoT Solutions: Advance the development and integration of digital IoT solutions for water and energy management, enabling real-time monitoring and optimisation to enhance resource efficiency and sustainability.