Machine Edge Global sits down with Ms. Seema Sukhani, Co-founder & Director of Tellus Habitat, to explore how science and purpose can reshape the way India thinks about water. Drawing on her background in environmental sciences and wastewater treatment, Seema is tackling one of the country’s most overlooked climate challenges—untreated sewage and freshwater depletion—through R3H2O, a decentralised, automation-driven recycling system. In this conversation, she shares the inspiration behind Tellus Habitat, the technology powering its solutions, and her vision of a future where every community treats wastewater as a resource, not a burden.
What inspired you to start Tellus Habitat, and how did your backgrounds in science and technology shape its vision?
Tellus Habitat was born out of a very personal realization—India is not facing a water scarcity problem as much as a water mismanagement problem. My training in environmental sciences and wastewater treatment technologies made it clear to me that untreated sewage was one of the biggest silent polluters of our lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Instead of looking at wastewater as a burden, I saw it as a resource waiting to be recovered. With that lens, Tellus Habitat was founded to create practical, science-driven, and people-centric water recycling solutions.
Many startups are focusing on renewable energy or air quality—why did you choose to focus on wastewater treatment and recycling?
Water is often overlooked in the climate conversation, yet it is the backbone of all sustainability efforts. Without clean water, renewable energy transitions and air quality improvements lose meaning. In urban India, more than 70% of wastewater goes untreated, contaminating ecosystems and draining freshwater resources. I chose wastewater recycling because it addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: preventing pollution and reducing the dependence on freshwater for everyday needs. It’s a problem with immediate impact and long-term global relevance.
Could you explain how your flagship platform, R3H2O, works in simple terms for our readers?
Think of R3H2O as a living system in a box. Wastewater enters the unit and passes through a series of microbial chambers where naturally occurring microbes break down the waste. Instead of relying heavily on chemicals or energy, R3H2O uses biology to clean the water. At the end, the water is polished through filters to meet safe reuse standards. The result is clean water that can be reused for flushing, gardening, car washing, or even cooling towers—without any foul odour or heavy footprint.
What role does automation and decentralisation play in making your system efficient and scalable?
Decentralisation means we bring treatment directly to the source—be it a housing society, a school, or a commercial hub. This reduces the need for expensive sewage pipelines and prevents untreated discharge. Automation ensures that once installed, the system runs with minimal manual intervention. Sensors, timers, and smart controls help optimise aeration, cleaning cycles, and water flow. Together, they make R3H2O not just efficient, but also scalable to different sizes—from 5 KLD units for small complexes to 250 KLD systems for larger communities.
How do you ensure the treated water is safe for reuse in applications like flushing, gardening, or car washing?
We design R3H2O to consistently achieve discharge standards with BOD below 10 mg/L and COD below 30 mg/L. To ensure safety, the treated water passes through polishing steps like activated carbon and disinfection. Regular monitoring is part of our operational protocol, and we also train users or facility managers to check basic water quality. This layered approach gives confidence that the water is free from harmful contaminants and perfectly safe for non-potable applications.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in convincing businesses and housing societies to adopt decentralised water solutions?
The biggest challenge has been changing mindsets. Wastewater is still seen as dirty and unusable, so people hesitate to accept recycled water even for flushing or gardening. There’s also a perception that treatment systems are costly or difficult to maintain. Over time, with successful demonstrations and clear communication of benefits—such as lower water bills, reduced dependence on tankers, and environmental responsibility—we have been able to overcome these hesitations. But behavioural change remains an ongoing effort.
What is your long-term vision for Tellus Habitat—do you see it becoming a household name for sustainable water management?
Yes, absolutely. The long-term vision is for Tellus Habitat and R3H2O to become synonymous with responsible water use. Just like people talk about solar panels on rooftops, I envision a future where every apartment complex, school, or business proudly runs its own R3H2O unit and recycles water locally. Beyond India, the model has global relevance, especially in countries facing water stress. Ultimately, our goal is not just to sell systems—it is to build a movement where decentralised wastewater recycling becomes the norm, not the exception.