EKAM ECO BRINGS SMART, SUSTAINABLE, AND TRANSFORMATIVE BATHROOMS
In an exclusive conversation, UTTAM BANERJEE, Co-Founder & CEO of Ekam Eco Solutions, shares his vision for the future of Indian bathrooms, the shift towards water-efficient technology, and how sustainability and affordability must go hand in hand. From waterless urinals to bio-friendly cleaning agents, his approach is not just about innovation but about reshaping how India conserves water.
The Shift in Consumer Preferences: Beyond Aesthetics to Functionality and Conservation
The Shift in Consumer Preferences: Beyond Aesthetics to Functionality and Conservation
The pandemic has irrevocably altered consumer perspectives, making hygiene and sustainability non-negotiable. People are no longer just looking for aesthetically appealing bathrooms; they demand solutions prioritising water efficiency, ease of maintenance, and long-term savings. This shift is evident in the rising demand for sensor-based taps, waterless urinals, and eco-friendly cleaning products.
Redefining Water Usage: The Intersection of Innovation and Behavioural Change
Sanitaryware brands are responsible for introducing water-efficient products and educating users on sustainable practices. While technology plays a crucial role in conservation, consumer behaviour remains a key factor in driving meaningful change. Most people underestimate how much water they waste in daily bathroom use, whether through excessive flushing, running taps while brushing, or using chemical cleaners that contaminate water systems. Multiple factors drive this transformation: acute water scarcity, rising utility costs, and government-supported initiatives such as the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. As India’s metropolises expand and smaller cities grapple with access to clean water, consumers are increasingly recognising that every drop is precious. Businesses are also starting to view sustainability as both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity—where minimising water waste leads to reduced operational costs.
Yet, one challenge persists: balancing affordability with sustainability. Cost-conscious buyers often view eco-friendly technology as a premium segment, accessible only to high-end projects. However, Ekam Eco Solutions has disrupted this notion by designing water-efficient products that are simple to install, require slight modification to existing plumbing, and deliver cost savings in the long run. A prime example is the Zerodor Waterless Urinal, a technology that eliminates the need for flushing altogether. With over 60,000 installations across educational institutions, railways, and commercial buildings, it has already saved liters of water. The system requires no change to existing infrastructure. It is a retrofit-friendly solution that pays for itself within five to six months of installation through reduced water and sewage costs.
Brands like Ekam Eco Solutions adopt a holistic approach by developing products that require minimal behavioural adaptation while significantly reducing water consumption. The Zerodor Waterless Urinal functions like a conventional urinal but eliminates flushing, resulting in substantial water savings without disrupting the user experience. Similarly, low-flow taps and aerators optimise water flow without compromising performance, ensuring that conservation feels effortless rather than restrictive. But innovation must extend beyond water conservation. Zerodor Care, a range of natural cleaners, offers
An alternative to chemical-based cleaning agents that pollute water and contribute to sewage overload. At the same time, Nutrizorb, their sewage treatment solution, focuses on wastewater management, ensuring that what is flushed away does not contaminate the water sources the country strives to protect. This two-pronged approach reduces water consumption while restoring used water, forming the foundation of sustainable sanitation.
The Next Wave of Change
The Indian bathroom of the future will be characterised by automation, hygiene, and water efficiency. Sensor-operated taps, self-cleaning surfaces, and water-recycling systems are anticipated to gain mainstream acceptance in commercial spaces and homes. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning cost and accessibility. While innovative bathroom solutions are popular in corporate and public spaces, their home adoption has been slower due to higher costs and a lack of awareness. However, as prices decrease and hygiene awareness rises, touch-free and AI-integrated solutions will likely gain traction in the residential market.
The greatest challenge in developing innovative, energy-efficient sanitaryware is ensuring affordability without relying on unsustainable solutions. Many high-tech products depend on electricity, batteries, or chemical-based maintenance, which incurs long-term costs and contradicts sustainability principles. Ekam Eco Solutions concentrates on designing low-maintenance mechanical solutions, such as the Zerodor system, which employs a simple one-way mechanical seal instead of electronic valves or chemicals to prevent odour and maintain hygiene.
For sustainable solutions to reach a broader market, they must be easy to adopt, cost-effective, and require minimal infrastructure modifications. The challenge isn’t just technological—it’s about ensuring that these products integrate seamlessly into existing systems, making water efficiency a default feature rather than a conscious choice.
Regulatory and Policy Shifts: The Missing Link in Sustainable Sanitation
While brands and consumers are slowly moving towards sustainability, policy intervention is critical in accelerating widespread adoption. Regulations similar to the star rating system for energy-efficient appliances must be implemented for sanitaryware, encouraging consumers to choose water-saving designs. Governments can also scale sustainable solutions by mandating pilot-based procurement policies. In these policies, public infrastructure projects—schools, offices, and railway stations—incorporate innovative water-efficient products before being expanded city-wide.
Another promising concept is Water Credits, which would be akin to carbon credits and reward large-scale projects that actively reduce water wastage. Developers implementing rainwater harvesting, water recycling, or waterless urinal systems could earn tradeable credits, incentivising sustainable construction at an industry level. The intersection of brands, policymakers, and urban planners will determine how quickly India’s sanitation landscape evolves. Collaborative efforts—such as regulatory sandboxes that allow start-ups to test new water-saving technologies—could bridge the gap between innovation and large-scale implementation.
The Road Ahead for Water-Efficient Sanitation
Despite growing awareness, several barriers must be addressed before sustainable bathrooms become the norm. Deep-rooted conditioning plays a significant role—many people still equate flushing with hygiene and resist adopting waterless solutions, even when presented with data on odour control and sanitation efficiency. There is also a perceived abundance of water in urban areas, making conservation efforts feel less urgent to city dwellers compared to rural populations that experience scarcity first-hand.
Cost remains another challenge. While businesses see long-term savings, residential consumers often hesitate due to the initial investment required for sustainable sanitaryware. To break these barriers, incentives such as policy-mandated water-saving fixtures, demonstration projects in high-visibility areas, and household financing models must be introduced to shift water conservation from an ideal to an industry standard.
Over the next five years, the industry will witness a shift towards self-cleaning surfaces, decentralised water-recycling toilets, and bio-friendly materials replacing traditional plastic fittings. The adoption of IoT-based monitoring systems will further drive efficiency by detecting leaks, tracking consumption, and optimising water usage in real time. However, the ultimate goal is to ensure that water conservation is no longer seen as an afterthought but as an integral part of every household, office, and public restroom. The challenge is not just about saving water—it’s about changing mindsets, developing intuitive solutions, and creating a future where sustainable bathrooms are the standard, not the exception.
With brands like Ekam Eco Solutions leading the way, the future of Indian bathrooms is not just smart and sustainable but revolutionary.
