School students develop modular storm-water filtration system to address pollution of waterbodies

Students of Excel Public School in Mysuru have come up with a modular filtration unit to address the rising issue of urban water pollution reflected in the deterioration of lakes and waterbodies in cities.

Titled ‘Project Shuddhi: An eco-engineered modular multi-stage filtration unit for drainage networks’, it was presented at the Vision Mysuru 2050 Grand Finale organised by SDM Institute for Management Development in Mysuru recently.

A press statement issued on behalf of the school said the students emerged winners among the 317 entries for the event, which had brought together student innovators, civic leaders, industry experts and academicians to present and evaluate ideas for the city’s future development.

“The project, developed by Dishaa Arjun of class 9, Saanvi Bojamma K.M. and Amritha Biligiri Prashanth of class 10, under the guidance of mentor Akhil Sasankan, addresses the need for a simple, low-cost, and easily deployable filtration solution to reduce pollutants in stormwater before it enters the city’s lakes and other waterbodies. The problem stems from urban runoff and poor waste management, which lead to water pollution and the deterioration of lakes, impacting both local communities and aquatic life,” the statement said.

Quoting Dishaa Arjun, the statement said the project was conceived as a response to environmental challenges in the city, particularly the condition of lakes in Mysuru, and the misuse of storm-water drains as dumping points for waste.

“We spent close to a year researching the problem and understanding the types of waste entering these systems. As we progressed, we realised that the problem was not limited to visible solid waste, but also included micro-level pollutants, which led us to design a multi-stage filtration system with each layer addressing a specific type of contaminant. The system is solar-powered and designed for easy deployment. We hope to see it implemented and contribute towards restoring Mysuru as one of the cleanest cities,” the statement noted, quoting the student.

It stated that the filtration unit is designed as a multi-stage treatment system that progressively removes pollutants from stormwater using aeration, vortex-based separation, sediment capture, and adsorption media. Each layer performs a distinct function, enabling the system to target a wide range of contaminants.

By installing the unit along storm-water drains, polluted water is intercepted before it enters lakes, ponds, and rivers. The system traps solid waste, microplastics, oils, heavy metals and sediments at the source, preventing them from flowing downstream, the statement added.

“Over time, this approach reduces pollutant load, limits the formation of algal blooms, protects aquatic life, and improves the overall health of urban waterbodies,” the statement noted, adding that the “solution” was intended to support local communities, livelihood groups, and government and civic bodies in managing urban water systems more effectively.