IIT Guwahati scientists have created a low-cost, eco-friendly technique to clean lead-contaminated water using cyanobacteria. The team found that exopolysaccharides from Phormidium corium can remove up to 92.5% of lead, offering a cheaper alternative to chemical treatments. Researchers say the method uses minimal energy, can cut treatment costs by 40–60%, and is easily scalable for real-world use.