Students develop device to check water pollution

Mysuru: In a bid to promote efficient urban management systems, students of Excel Public School have developed Project Shudhi, an eco-engineered, modular multistage filtration unit designed for drainage networks to tackle the growing issue of urban water pollution.The innovative project was presented at Vision Mysuru-2050 Grand Finale organised by the SDM Institute for Management Development. It won first prize there.The project was developed by Dishaa Arjun (Class 9), Saanvi Bojamma K M, and Amritha Biligiri Prashanth (Class 10) under the guidance of mentor Akhil Sasankan.It aims to provide a simple, low-cost and easily deployable solution to reduce pollutants in stormwater before it enters lakes and other waterbodies. The initiative addresses the impact of urban runoff and poor waste management, which continue to degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems.Speaking about the project, Dishaa Arjun said the idea emerged from observing the deteriorating condition of lakes in Mysuru, including Koorgalli, and the misuse of stormwater drains as dumping points. After nearly a year of research, the team identified both visible and micro-level pollutants, leading to the design of a multistage filtration system. The prototype, built using accessible materials, is solar-powered and designed for easy deployment.The system integrates aeration, vortex-based separation, sediment capture and adsorption media to remove contaminants such as solid waste, microplastics, oils, heavy metals and sediments at the source.Built with low-cost, upcycled materials, the solution is scalable and low-maintenance. Over time, it is expected to reduce pollutant load, prevent algal blooms, protect aquatic life and improve the overall health of urban water bodies while supporting civic authorities and communities in sustainable water management.