Delhi twins create Rs 100 plant-based filter removing microplastics and PFAS

Delhi-NCR twins Naina and Nayantara Singh transformed common kitchen ingredients into a prototype water purifier called Aqua Sattva, employing an okra-fenugreek polymer to flocculate microplastics and rice-husk biochar to adsorb PFAS. Developed over a year while they completed Class 12, the sachet-like system was refined and tested in IIT Delhi’s biomass laboratory under professor Vivek Kumar, achieving up to 93% removal of 20 PFAS compounds and a substantial reduction in microplastic counts.

Each pack of ten sachets costs roughly Rs 100 and operates without electricity, plumbing, or specialized skills. The innovation earned the sisters the Water Champions 2026 title at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize India competition and a placement at the Conrad Challenge, and they are now seeking a patent. Their work highlights a cheap, biodegradable alternative to costly RO units, though its performance in varied real-world conditions remains to be proven.