Sewer network maintenance
Clear blockages without manual entry.
- Urban local bodies
- Smart city projects
- Sewerage boards
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP / 04
Developed withIndian Institute of Technology Bombay#3 in engineering, NIRF 2025
Field demonstratedDelivered by Rispri Labs
Mechanised sewer cleaning.
No one goes down the manhole.
Rispri Labs delivers three patented systems, developed with IIT Bombay, that keep sewers and drains flowing and keep workers safe: an automatic floating-debris screen, a no-entry blockage cleaner and a portable toxic-gas alarm.
RESEARCH TO REALITYRispri Labs × IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay
What it means for you
Sewers cleaned with no one inside.
Zero
workers sent down a manhole to clear a blockage.
No operator
The drain screen lifts trash out on its own as water rises.
Early warning
Crews are alerted to H₂S and CO before they start work.
Performance
Cleaner drains. Safer crews.
Choked drains flood streets every monsoon, and confined-space entry into sewers still costs lives. Mechanised cleaning and gas monitoring remove both risks.
- 3
- Patented systems for drains, sewers and worker safety
- 0
- Workers sent into the manhole to clear a blockage
- TRL 8
- Floating-debris screen, built to order
- 3gases
- H₂S, CO and mercury vapour monitored
Figures are from the research team's field demonstrations. Performance on your stream is confirmed in our laboratory before design.
Challenge and response
The problems this solves.
- 01The challenge
Workers still enter manholes to clear blockages.
How we solve itA pump-and-hose unit removes sludge from the surface.
- 02The challenge
Plastic and debris choke drains and flood streets.
How we solve itAn automatic screen lifts floating debris out of the channel.
- 03The challenge
Toxic gases in sewers and septic tanks cause fatal accidents.
How we solve itA portable alarm warns crews before and during any work.
- 04The challenge
Trash enters lakes and ponds through storm-water inlets.
How we solve itDebris screens at inlets keep it out of the water body.
How it works
The process, step by step.
- 1
Screen
A perforated screen spans the channel; a float lifts it as flow rises.
- 2
Lift
An inclined conveyor on a single drive raises trapped debris out, with no operator.
- 3
Clean
A pump draws sludge from the blocked sewer into a tank and discharges it to the next manhole, with freshwater flushing.
- 4
Monitor
A battery-powered multi-sensor alarm checks for H₂S, CO and mercury vapour at set thresholds.
Use cases
Where mechanised sewer cleaning and sewer worker safety delivers.
Drains and nallahs
Keep open channels free of floating trash.
- Monsoon flood prevention
- Highway drains
- Railway culverts
Lake and pond inlets
Stop debris before it reaches the water.
- Lake restoration
- Amrit Sarovars
- Temple tanks
Septic tanks
Monitor gas before desludging work.
- Desludging operators
- Housing societies
- Rural sanitation
STP wet wells and pumping stations
Protect crews in confined spaces.
- Sewage treatment plants
- Lift stations
- CETPs
Industrial and institutional campuses
Keep internal drains clear and safe.
- Industrial parks
- Universities
- Townships
Comparison
How it compares.
| Factor | Manual cleaning | Rispri solution |
|---|---|---|
| Worker exposure | Entry into manholes and confined spaces | No entry; work from the surface |
| Debris removal | Periodic manual clearing | Continuous, automatic screening |
| Gas risk | Often unchecked before entry | Multi-gas alarm with set thresholds |
| Flood risk | Drains choke between cleaning rounds | Channels kept clear as flow rises |
| Compliance | Conflicts with the 2013 Act | Supports mechanised sanitation rules |
Standards and regulations
Designed around the rules that apply to you.
We design each system to meet your consent conditions and the regulations for your sector, and our laboratory reports against them.
- Manual Scavengers Act, 2013Prohibits hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
- NAMASTE schemeNational programme for mechanised, safe sanitation work.
- CPHEEO Manual on Sewerage, 2013Design and maintenance practice for sewer systems.
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0Funding for safe sanitation and used-water management.
Industries served
Built for the sectors that need it most.
- Urban local bodies
- Pond and lake rejuvenation
- Smart water management
- Industrial parks
- STP operators
- Townships
Why Rispri
Institute science. Industrial delivery.
Institute-developed technology
Built on patented and peer-reviewed research from our partnership with IIT Bombay.
Tested on your stream
Our accredited laboratory characterises your water or waste before design and verifies results after.
Engineering since 1999
The team that builds ETPs, STPs and ZLD plants across India takes each solution from pilot to full scale.
One accountable partner
Design, supply, installation, commissioning, operation and testing under one contract.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
What size of drain can the debris screen handle?
Each screen is built to order from the channel's width, depth and flow, so it fits the site. Share your drain details and we will size it.
How does the blockage cleaner work without entry?
A pump draws sludge from the blocked sewer into a tank and discharges it to the next manhole downstream through a second hose. Freshwater flushing keeps the hoses clear. The crew stays at the surface.
Which gases does the alarm detect?
It detects hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and mercury vapour. Alarm thresholds are set in software to match your safety procedures.
Have these systems been used in the field?
Yes. The systems have been demonstrated on site, and the debris screen has reached TRL 8.
Can municipalities buy these through tenders?
Yes. We supply, install and maintain the systems and can support specification and tender documents.
Research partnerships
More solutions from our partnerships.
THE NEXT STEP
Prove it on
your own stream.
Send us a sample or tell us about your site. We will test it, recommend a configuration and set up a pilot.
Request a pilot