In 2026, the organization WaterAid India detected arsenic levels in the Simri block of Bihar state reaching 704.4 parts per billion (ppb), which is more than 70 times the established benchmark of 10 ppb. The problem began to be addressed by brothers Arpit and Abhijit as part of a school project.
The danger of arsenic is often unnoticed because the substance has no smell or taste, is usually found in shallow aquifers, and can cause skin lesions and cancer with prolonged exposure. Nevertheless, for many families, hand pumps remain the only source of water.
In the village of Bhikchu Ka Deera Durga Yadav admits that she knows about the toxicity of the water; her husband died of stomach cancer, and her son-in-law passed away this year. However, without access to piped water, the hand pump remains her only option.
This situation is not an isolated case. Studies have shown the presence of arsenic levels above 50 µg/L in 7164 out of 66623 samples taken in 50 blocks across 11 districts of Bihar, endangering over 10 million rural residents.
This urgent need prompted the brothers to create their invention at Bihar Bal Bhavan Kilkari. Their magnetic filtration technology targets arsenic at a molecular level, using magnetic separation instead of traditional consumables or chemicals.
After years of testing, the technology moved beyond the classroom. Pilot projects in Bhojpur and Buxar reduced arsenic content to below 2 ppb, which was confirmed by CSIR. Since then, the system has been implemented in schools and communities.
Today, through their startup Navmarg Research & Innovation, the brothers report that their systems have provided 3.19 million liters of arsenic-free water in 13 locations. For them, this work has always been connected to something greater than just building a machine.
When a mother realizes that the water upon which her family depends can make them sick, safe drinking water cannot remain just a promise on paper; it needs a real alternative. This is what gives the innovation urgency.