We are delighted to announce the winners of our 2024 Santech Hackathon! Our panel, comprising distinguished water and sanitation experts from around the globe, has chosen the top three projects out of 77 innovative submissions for their groundbreaking approaches to recycling greywater for small-scale farming. The announcement was made during a live online event on Friday, March 22nd, World Water Day.
Audience Favourite: Vermifilter greywater treatment, Ymele Saapi Sidesse Sonia, Burkina Faso
The 2024 Hackathon, supported by our partners SATO by Lixil and the Toilet Board Coalition, has exceeded all expectations, boasting a record-breaking 77 innovative proposals from 28 different countries. This unprecedented level of participation underscores the essential role of greywater as a sustainable resource.
A primary goal of the Hackathon was indeed to illuminate the value of greywater—wastewater from sinks, showers, laundry, and baths—as a significant resource. By showcasing technologies and approaches for its proper treatment and repurposing for irrigation, the Hackathon aimed to demonstrate how such practices can significantly reduce water wastage and decrease the dependency on freshwater in agriculture.
Each submission underwent a rigorous evaluation by our jury based on criteria such as Innovation, Impact, Affordability, Viability, Scalability, Sustainability, and Community Engagement. The winning solution is set to be implemented in one of the FINISH Mondial countries—Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda—underscoring our hackathon’s dedication to delivering real-world environmental and social benefits.
Press Release for Winners Announcement 2024
Learn more about all 8 finalists: