Noorul Haq/Agartala

A startup incubated by Tripura Central University has offered an inexpensive solution for providing potable water to flood-affected people while also helping protect the environment by reducing the need for bottled water.

Harjeet Nath, founder of HN Technovations at the Department of Chemical & Polymer Engineering, Tripura Central University, said the innovation began as a public outreach project by the university to provide potable water to people without access to tap water.

Nath, an expert in water purification and disaster management, said the technology was developed to make clean drinking water available in difficult and disaster-prone locations.

As floodwaters rose across Assam recently, clean drinking water became scarce in several areas. HN Technovations’ InstaWater, a technology-based water purification system, came to the aid of flood-affected communities.

NGOs using the InstaWater system to convert muddy water into safe drinking water

So far, more than 400 families in flood-affected and difficult-to-reach areas of Sivasagar district have been supplied with at least 15,000 litres of drinking water. The initiative has also helped prevent the use of at least 150 kg of plastic that would otherwise have been generated through bottled-water packaging.

The university has collaborated with NGOs and the local administration to deploy its water purification systems in several difficult and flood-affected areas, including Shanmukh Nagaon Nepali Khoti in Sivasagar district.

The InstaWater systems installed in flood-affected areas include the InstaWater Com 5000, which can purify approximately 300 litres of water per hour.

Another system, the InstaWater Porta Hybrid Box, can be recharged using solar energy and transported by boat to remote areas. With its alternative power supply, the system can provide approximately 100 litres of clean drinking water per hour.

During floods, instead of transporting large quantities of bottled water, portable water purification systems can be taken directly to affected areas, helping address drinking-water shortages at the source.

Nath said that despite limited resources, his commitment to providing clean drinking water remains intact.

Assams floodwater into safe drinking water what an innovation 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/O2YJDKBs9Z

— SanghiDentico🇮🇳,🚩🚩🕉️ (@priyathedentico) August 8, 2026

In the coming days, HN Technovations plans to expand its InstaWater technology to other disaster-affected and water-scarce areas of India by strengthening its collaboration with NGOs, corporate social responsibility organisations, government departments, disaster-response agencies and international partners.

The initiative has also received appreciation from the District Disaster Management and Public Health Engineering Department of Sivasagar district in Assam. The authorities have recognised the importance of decentralised and rapidly deployable water purification systems in emergencies.

In 2023, the initiative was transformed into a social project under a new business model of Tripura University. Under HN Technovations, InstaWater has since established itself as a brand in water-related technology. Moving beyond laboratory research and practical demonstrations, the technology has also begun to find applications in disaster management.

A portable water purified being transported to the flood affected areas of Assam

According to Tripura University, HN Technovations is more than just a startup.

“We are problem solvers, innovators, and changemakers. Born from the labs of Tripura University, our journey began with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide clean, safe, and accessible drinking water to those who need it the most.

“With a strong foundation in research, innovation, and sustainability, we have developed patented and IP-protected solutions that redefine how water is purified in disaster-struck and off-grid locations. Whether it's a solar hybrid smart water filter, a suitcase-style emergency purifier, or a demineralised water machine for laboratories, our solutions are designed to be efficient, cost-effective, and life-changing.”

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HN Technovations believes that ‘water is a right, not a privilege.’