Introducing Ekam Eco Solutions
One of our big concerns at Rainmatter is how we, as a species, have gone wrong with the simple essentials of life. Take water. Water is really cheap. And that’s a problem because we’re treating it that way. We casually misuse or overuse water, even though it’s steadily getting harder to find. For the last few years, over half-a-billion Indians have lived in extreme water stress. Many of our cities might be at the edge of a Cape Town-like Day Zero!
We want to help people who are doing something about this before it’s too late — like Ekam Eco Solutions. They make waterless urinals called ‘Zerodor’, which we recently tried out at our headquarters. The result? Our monthly water usage halved! We’ve now installed them in all our offices. It’s a simple solution that works, and we’re supporting them in making Zerodor available to other conscious citizens and organisations.
Here is what Uttam, the cofounder of Ekam Eco Solutions has to say:
At Ekam Eco Solutions, our journey is deeply rooted in the philosophy of interconnectedness. The name “Ekam,” derived from Sanskrit, means oneness, and this philosophy forms the foundation of our work. We recognize that health, hygiene, water, sanitation, and the environment are all deeply interlinked. What affects one inevitably impacts the others.
Solving one challenge can create ripples of positive change across others, and this understanding is the foundation of our mission: to create innovative solutions that not only address sustainability challenges but also transform businesses and communities toward a healthier, more sustainable future.
How did it all start?
The inspiration behind Ekam Eco is extremely personal. Growing up in a small town, I experienced the realities of rural life where access to basic sanitation was a luxury. Open defecation was the norm, and the dignity and safety of women were often compromised. As a child, it felt normal, but as I grew older, I realized the magnitude of the problem. Later, while traveling to urban hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, I witnessed something equally alarming—the deterioration of water bodies. Rivers, which once symbolized life and community, had turned into polluted drains. It struck me that the issues of water wastage, pollution, and poor sanitation were not isolated—they were deeply interconnected and demanded solutions that addressed the bigger picture.
This realization became the driving force behind Ekam Eco, and we began our journey in 2013 with a bold vision: to conserve water, reduce water contamination, and improve lives through sustainable and scalable solutions. Our flagship product, Zerodor Waterless Urinal, was developed to address the issue of water wastage in urban and institutional restrooms. By eliminating the need for flushing, each urinal saves up to 150,000 liters of water annually.
What have we done till now?
Today, Zerodor is trusted by over 700+ organizations, including Indian Railways, government institutions, some of the largest food and beverage chains, shopping malls, theatres, defense establishments, automotive industries, and private corporations. With more than 45,000 units installed across India, we’ve saved over 3 billion liters of water so far—a number that reflects not just conservation but a shift in how businesses view sustainability.
In addition to Zerodor, we’ve expanded our product line to include Natural Cleaning Solutions. These eco-friendly alternatives to chemical cleaners help reduce contamination in wastewater, improve sewage treatment efficiency, and enable businesses to achieve their sustainability and CSR goals. From schools to large-scale industries, our solutions are making a measurable impact, proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
Another critical area we focus on is Sewage Treatment and Management which stands out for their portability, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency, addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges. At Ekam Eco, we emphasize the concept of CPR: Conserve, Prevent, Restore. This means conserving resources by avoiding wastage, preventing contamination by eliminating harmful chemicals, and restoring ecosystems by treating wastewater efficiently. Our sewage treatment solutions are designed to ensure that wastewater is not just treated but can be reused effectively, reducing the burden on freshwater resources. By integrating CPR into our approach, we help organizations close the loop on water usage, turning a waste problem into a resource opportunity.
What makes Ekam Eco unique is our dual focus: growing as a business while creating a meaningful impact on the planet and people’s lives. Our work is not limited to delivering products—it’s about fostering transformation. We’ve partnered with organizations to help them integrate sustainable practices into their operations, making it easier for them to align with their environmental objectives. Through workshops, campaigns, and storytelling, we inspire individuals and businesses to rethink their relationship with water, sanitation, and the environment. Sustainability isn’t just a responsibility; it’s an opportunity to innovate and lead.
Our efforts have been recognized with 20+ awards for innovation, design, and environmental impact, but the real reward lies in the tangible changes we’ve been able to create. Businesses adopting our solutions have not only reduced costs but also positioned themselves as leaders in sustainability. More importantly, the people impacted by these changes—whether it’s a child gaining access to clean water or a community benefiting from less polluted rivers—highlight the significance of this work.
Looking ahead
With Rainmatter’s support, we are excited to scale our efforts, expand our reach, and continue building solutions that help businesses achieve their sustainability goals while contributing to a healthier planet.
Ekam Eco Solutions isn’t just about saving water or reducing pollution—it’s about rethinking how we interact with our resources, empowering businesses and communities, and building a world where sustainability is not just an option but a way of life. At Ekam, we believe that sustainability is not just about conserving resources—it’s about improving lives, building resilience, and creating a world where every drop, every action, and every decision counts.
