Bihar Brothers Develop Magnetic Filtration System to Deliver Safe Water
In 2026, WaterAid India revealed alarmingly high arsenic levels in Bihar's Simri block, reaching 704.4 ppb — over 70 times the safe guideline of 10 ppb. This invisible danger, without taste or smell, is prevalent in shallow aquifers and can cause severe health issues like skin lesions and cancers after long-term exposure. The problem is widespread, with research detecting arsenic levels above 50 µg/L in 7,164 out of 66,623 samples across 50 blocks in 11 Bihar districts, leaving over 10 million rural residents at risk, as reported by The Better India.
For families like Durga Yadav's in Bhikchu Ka Dera, hand pumps remain the only option, despite knowing the water is poisonous. Yadav's husband died of stomach cancer, and her brother-in-law passed away this year. Addressing this urgent crisis, brothers Arpit and Abhijeet began tackling the problem through a school project at Bihar Bal Bhawan Kilkari, developing a magnetic filtration technology.
Their innovative system targets arsenic at the molecular level, utilizing magnetic separation instead of conventional consumables or chemicals. After years of testing, the technology moved beyond the classroom. Field pilots in Bhojpur and Buxar successfully reduced arsenic levels to below 2 ppb, a result validated by CSIR. The system has since been implemented in various schools and communities.
Today, through their startup Navmarg Research & Innovation, Arpit and Abhijeet report that their systems have delivered 3.19 million litres of arsenic-safe water across 13 sites. For the brothers, the mission was always more profound than just building a machine; it was about providing a real, safe alternative for mothers who know their family's water could make them sick.
Why it matters: This innovation provides a vital, validated solution to a widespread, invisible health crisis affecting millions.
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