In a bid to join the ‘great toilet rush’ in India spurred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to build toilets, US-based research & development institute, RTI International, is getting ready to pilot a prototype in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in partnership with infra major L&T and non-profit SEWA.

The prototype, developed by RTI, along with various US universities, was possible after a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop an affordable toilet and waste treatment system that treats all pathogens on site.

It burns the solid waste pellets using a combustion unit designed by Colorado State University, captures a portion of the heat produced and converts it into electricity.

Myles F Elledge, Senior Director, International Development Policy and Planning, RTI International, who was here recently to meet government representatives, said the technology converts human waste into burnable fuel, stored energy, and disinfected, non-potable water.

“Its USP is that it is totally off-grid, as it uses its own energy and water,” said Elledge, adding that each toilet is designed to serve about 50 people and is good for community use.

‘pay and use’ The toilet is a ‘pay and use’ model and would cost approximately 5 cents (about ₹3) per person, per day, Elledge said, adding that the Urban Development Ministry had shown a lot of interest in the new technology.

Asked why RTI chose Gujarat, a ‘developed’ State, for the pilot, he said “the location is good because lot of industry and universities are there. Also, both our partners (L&T and SEWA) are located there”. He said many communities in Ahmedabad and Baroda still had no sanitation options, adding that RTI may later explore options in Tamil Nadu and Delhi .

Elledge said L&T was helping RTI in value engineering to help in producing the toilet locally, while SEWA was helping in community engagement.

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