Wastewater

This paper by Ajit Seshadri, Vigyan Vijay Foundation highlights the poor sanitation situation in India and argues that centralized approaches to wastewater treatment have had limited success and there is a need to make wastwater treatment people centric and effective through the use of decentralized systems such as DEWATS (Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems). DEWATS are locally organized and people driven systems that typically comprise a settler, anaerobic baffled tanks, filter beds of gravel and sand, and an open pond. The open pond or the polishing tank recreates a living environment for the wastewater to clean itself, naturally.

It investigates the difficulties they face and emphasizes the need for better integration of groundwater in the planning and management of urban water resources.

Content courtesy: India WASH Forum

The various possible PPP structures for the sector were studied, and their applicability assessed in the context of the selected sample cities. Consultations led to development of term sheets for these PPP structures, which were identified as most suitable and feasible for implementation.

The above exercise has led to development of this report, which may be considered as a tool kit designed to help decision makers decide whether a particular project might be suitable for the PPP route or not. The tool kit can, therefore, be the basis for approving a project implementation structure as part of the overall project approval methodology.

It is intended primarily for programme implementers to help them understand the critical need for Community Sanitary Complexes and inform them of the guiding principles to be adopted while planning for these.

India remains one of the countries wherein concerted efforts are still required to eliminate the practice of open defecation. The lack of priority given to safe confinement and disposal of human excreta poses significant health risks manifest in the sanitation challenge facing the nation today. 

The provision of sanitation facilities through public toilet complexes is the most suitable option for those who cannot afford individual toilets for monetary reasons or due to lack of space, and opt for open defecation. Such complexes are a useful and valuable option at public places, markets, taxi stands, etc., where a large congregation of people takes place. The Community Sanitary Complex (CSC) fosters the cognitive development of healthy sanitation practices in the community.

This report is a part of a series of papers that analysed the baseline data from all countries where the program was implemented.

Water interventions in the society

The society is an AIDS care hospice of about 5 acres, on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Organizers:

• Shrushti Environment Academy (SEA), Pune
• Shrishti Eco-Research Institute (SERI), Pune 
• Indian Environment Association (IEA), Pune Chapter 
• Aavanira Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Pune

Venue: ‘Growth Lab’ Science & Technology Park, Pune-Nashik road, Opp. Panjerpole, Bhosari, Pune

 The study attempted to understand the phenomenon of water contamination in the village by using GIS as a tool to locate and map water supply and sewage distribution systems in the village, in relation to human and animal dwellings, their wastes, sanitary practices and their connections with drinking water quality for a clearer understanding of the connections between these factors and possible

 the small ponds, the lakes, the rivers flows into backwaters, the sea, and the wells catching the abundant rain water enabling such vegetation and greenery all around……

Water – also the factor, which brings the biggest of problems to urban life –

• mosquitoes,
• bad stench from clogged dirty canals,
• floods and water logging especially in the monsoons,
• roads breaking up because of poor drainage,
• drinking water scarcity in many parts of the city,
• water borne diseases and health problems