Cleaning up India's rivers by hybrid PPP in sewage treatment

Drug Today Medical Times

For taking action to clean up the rivers in India, there has been a high decibel debate regarding sewage treatment plants (STPs). The idea became clear when the Central government gave the Supreme Court an 18-year plan to clean up the rivers of the country. One worrying aspect of the plan is that it seems strikingly similar to the plans that have been tried earlier. Such as preparing STPs, building crematoriums, and then cleaning up the ghats and riverfronts.

The latest move to innovatively shore up funding for sewage treatment plants at various places across the country, to begin with, needs to be wholeheartedly welcomed. The simple fact is that the vast bulk of sewage flowing from our towns and cities is just released untreated into rivers and water bodies. And we clearly need well-structured finance to boost resource allocation, and ensure performance, efficiency and sustainability in sewage treatment.

The STPs  at various places across the country would be as per the so-called hybrid annuity public-private partnership (PPP) model, which has garnered significant funds for highway projects in the last three years or so. The way ahead is to float a special purpose vehicle under the Companies Act for each project, so as to enable transparency in governance, functional autonomy and, most importantly, the levy of reasonable user charges for effluent treatment, as per the polluter-pays principle.

There is vast scope to replicate the hybrid PPP model for sewage treatment all along the rivers of India. The plants would provide relatively risk-free returns over the long term, and so should be attractive to sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and other investors. The way forward is to have hybrid PPP in place for solid waste management in our large urban centres. In fast urbanising India, PPP for sewage and solid waste treatment is an idea whose time has come.

Under the Integrated Ganga River Conservation Mission, National Mission for Clean Ganga has sanctioned 87 projects worth Rs 12,684 crore for the development of 1,433 MLD sewage treatment infrastructure.

Namami Ganga Programme, in collaboration with the state government of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh has successfully designed and bid out the first two hybrid annuity projects in the cities of Haridwar and Varanasi.

The hybrid annuity PPP programme is now being rolled out in Mathura, Allahabad, Kanpur, Patna and Kolkata. The programme endeavours to integrate the existing/brown field sewage treatment infrastructure in these towns with the new Greenfield sewage treatment plants.

Besides establishing the sewage treatment plants, the contract is for their operation and maintenance for a period of 15 years. Subsequently, they will be handed over to the local bodies concerned. The model will serve as the template for similar projects all over the country.

While discussing the cleaning of the Yamuna some years ago, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that Delhi generated 2,500 million litres (mld) of sewage every day—that the DJB and CPCB have such divergent numbers tells its own story— as compared to the sewage treatment plant (STP) capacity of 2,330 mld.

Worse, just 35% of the STPs ran at full capacity, 18% ran at 60-90%, 24% at 30-60% and 23% at under 30%—where there were STPs, there was no waste and where there was waste, there was no STP.

One more face of dirty rivers is Ganga. As much as 43 per cent population of the country depends on it. About 3036 million liters per day (MLD) sewage is generated from 118 towns located in the main stream of Ganga. Only 50 per cent of the sewage is treated. The experts expect that the total sewage generated by 2035 would be 3719 MLD. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many poorer people rely on the river on a daily basis for bathing, washing, and cooking.

As per CPCB, 30 per cent of the STPs monitored in UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar and West Bengal are not operational and 94 per cent do not comply with the prescribed effluent standards.

But the question is that when our rivers will be cleaned up and can the government meet its targets?

A lot will depend on how soon the STPs are commissioned. On average, they will take about a year-and-a-half to work at their optimal capacity. The tanneries, a major polluter, will have to install new systems to ensure that no discharge leaches into the river. Given that several employ techniques that have not been tried on a large scale in Indian rivers, it is unclear how soon they will deliver results.

Moreover, a clean river also implies that it maintains minimum levels — called ecological flows — across all stretches of the river. This requires management on a larger scale, including controlling the several dams along the river that bring with them their own challenges.

IFAT India 2017: Solutions to environmental challenges

Drug Today Medical Times

Mumbai, October 10, 2017: IFAT India 2017 was held at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, Goregaon from 26th to 28th September 2017 that brought together local and international representatives from associations and, state governments, industry leaders and leading companies to highlight and discuss challenges and solutions in the water, sewage, refuse and recycling sector.

IFAT India 2017 was inaugurated by Shri Vijay Shivtare, Water Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Ms Ann Ollestad, Consul General, The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ms. Ulrika Sundberg, Sweden Consul General, Mr. Roland Knitschky, German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) among other industry players.

IFAT India is India's leading trade fair for water, waste water, waste and recycling. The trade show provided an enormous platform to industry experts, policy makers and business leaders to discuss regional strategies on numerous environmental challenges and seek solutions through formal interactions.

IFAT India 2017 was a three- day trade show which saw over 184 participants from 18 countries. Some of the top participants included market leaders like L&T, Thermax, Ion Exchange, Ramky, Aqseptance Group, Endress+Hauser, Excel, Kirloskar Brothers, Kishor Pumps, Tata Projects, Wilo, Siemens, Lanxess, Astral Poly, Xylem, CRI Pumps, LG Chem, Wipro Water and many more. China, Germany, Austria and Switzerland were the few international country pavilions that were featured in the 2017 edition.

On the conclusion of IFAT India 2017, Mr. Bhupinder Singh, CEO of Messe Muenchen India, said, “India has an immense potential for environmental protection and waste management. Scarce water resources, rapid industrialization, extensive agriculture and enormous waste volumes pose a great challenge to the country. Thus, the 5th edition of IFAT India focussed on the latest environmental issues and their solutions. IFAT India 2017 also provided a platform for all the industry players, associations and government representatives, to connect through formal interactions. We saw a great response from national and international participants and we hope to keep delivering a better trade show every year.”

The trade fair witnessed technical presentations, panel discussions and tutorials, where industry experts – both from India and overseas –who shared their knowledge with the audience at the Innovation Exchange. There was also a dedicated area for training, live demonstrations, product presentations and skills contests, running parallel to the show.

The Products in Practice session provided exhibitors with a unique interactive way to showcase their product highlights. The innovations were presented in a realistic working situation and thereby impressed the visitors with an eye-catching experience.

The Active Learning Centre was a new platform successfully introduced to the participants of IFAT India 2016 that was continued in 2017. This was the interactive element of the event. It offered innovative ways to network with both visitors and other experts of the environmental technologies sector.

Along with the trade exhibition IFAT INDIA with its partners concurrently organized multiple interactive programs, to name a few - Air Quality Management Workshop by SDG (Sustainable Development Goals Foundation); Workshop on entrepreneurship in waste management by ISWA (International Solid Waste Association); Biogas Panel by GIZ, German Biogas Association and Indian Biogas Association; Water Skills Competition by Skill Council for Green Jobs, GIZ and DWA.

IFAT INDIA hosted an Environmental Technologies Conference in association with TERI, which focused on issues related to Air Pollution, Solid Waste Management and Urban Water Management in the context of Sustainable Development.  This edition witness a new initiative Business to Government Forum which provides states an ideal platform to announce new projects, to find matching solutions for new tenders and to inform participants about the latest policies in the environmental sector.

Water safety an uphill task due to improper functioning of STPs

Drug Today Medical TimesThe availability of clean drinking water remains a big challenge in India due to various factors including contaminated water flowing into Indian rivers. This is largely due to dumping of industrial effluents and untreated sewage in the rivers. Several Indian states are now grappling with the crisis of contaminated water.

Conversion of this water into clean water also remains an uphill task due to lack of, and improper functioning of, Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) across all cities. This untreated water flows in rivers, lakes and ground water, thus making it contaminated. Usage of this water can lead severe health implications.

There are alarming figures that indicate if we do not solve water problems we may have a huge water crisis in coming years.

It is reported that around 70 per cent of sewage remains untreated, resulting in huge wastage of water that could be used after its purification through various methods.

It is understood that 62,000 million liters per day (MLD) sewage is generated in urban areas, while the treatment capacity across India is only 23,277 MLD, or 37 per cent of sewage generated.

According to government data released in December 2015, 816 municipal STPs are listed across India. Out of 816, only 522 SPTs work. So, of 62,000 MLD, the listed capacity is 23,277 MLD but no more than 18,883 MLD of sewage is actually treated. It means that seventy per cent of swage generated in India is not treated.

The sewage in class 1 and class 2 towns is estimated at 38,255 MLD, of which only 11,787 MLD (30%) is treated. This has been revealed in Faecal Sludge Management report, by Water Aid, a safe-water sanitation advocacy. The report revealed that untreated sewage is dumped directly into water bodies, polluting three-fourth of India’s surface water resources.

The Indian Government too admits the dysfunctional STPs are big problem in India. In November, 2014, then Environment minister Prakash Javadekar informed the media that around 70 percent of STPs in India are either not working or closed because the cost of running these plants is so high. He said that they need to make use of sludge and produce methane gas, which can generate power for these STPs.

It is important to know that those near sewage problems can experience severe health implications as complications like vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, blood infection, dehydration, kidney dysfunction and urinary infection are clear risks.

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Diwali

Ghazipur landfill: a ticking bomb

Rohit Shishodia 

The two deaths recently due to collapse of major portions of Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill on passerby has instilled major fear among the residents of Ghazipur dairy farm and nearby colonies. The landfill, which has already caused major damage to the health of the residents, has now become a nightmare for the residents. They are living in great fear now.

The residents have urged government and civic agencies to urgently remove the landfill from Ghazipur so that more damage can be averted.

The resident inform that this landfill has caused diseases including cancer, respiratory diseases such as TB and asthma and even skin problems due to its filth, foul stink and smoke over the last 30 years. The landfill gives out methane gas and other chemicals which results in major fires and blasts at the dumping site.

The residents complain that the groundwater has also been polluted due to the landfill. The consumption of this polluted groundwater has resulted in rampant gastric ailments among residents. The current Delhi government has neglected this area. There is no government clinic here.

“Why there is no Mohalla clinic in the Ghazipur dairy farm. Are we not humans? There is no government facility in the entire area where we can consult the doctors. Even the private doctors are just for name's sake,” rued the residents. The two small clinics were found closed when this correspondent went through the Ghazipur farm.

Sanjeev, a resident of Ghazipur dairy farm, said that his wife is pregnant and doctors have instructed him to shift his wife somewhere else from Ghazipur as there could be major health complications to the child and his mother. “I have shifted my wife to her parental home as doctors have strictly warned against her staying in Ghazipur,” added Sanjeev.

He informed that Ghazipur is also a harmful place for newborns and kids. He said that two deaths due to fall of a portion of the landfill has instilled more fear among residents. “Those who have money are migrating from here to other areas of Delhi and those who do not have are forced to live here. They are left with no option but to inhale the polluted air caused by landfill and invite more diseases,” explained Sanjeev.

Mohit, a young student said that his own grandfather has died of cancer and people are not marrying their daughter into the Ghazipur area. The landfill has become the identity of this area. Mohit said there is no mohalla clinic in this area which hurts most. “It feels that we are not living in Delhi,” added Mohit.

Waste segregation is just not there

Rohit Shishodia 

The lack of segregation of waste has been a matter of concern for a long time in metropolitan cities. If waste is not segregated, it keeps piling up on roads and garbage collection centers. Non-segregation and non-collection badly impacts the health of citizens due to the foul smell emanating from it.

Delhi-NCR has been badly affected by garbage dumping. The dumping yards generally known as landfills pose risk of serious health ailments such as respiratory diseases and gastric problems.

But presently there seems to be no solution as there is no implementation of waste segregation either in housing societies or in government offices. Generally people are not aware about waste segregation. The waste segregation drive was launched in June 2017 by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC).

The motive of the project was to make people aware about biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste which should be put in different colored dust bins. It has been more than three months since the project was launched but municipal and Delhi government-run institutes are themselves not implementing the initiative, not to speak of the general public.

Dr Gaynesh Gupta, Senior Medical Officer of Swami Daya Nand (SDN) Hospital, East Delhi, informed that SDN hospital itself is yet to fully implement the biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste segregation initiative. Dr Gupta asserted that the hospital will fully implement the important initiative in coming months.

What is more surprising is that EDMC’s own headquarter which launched the project is not implementing biodegradable and non-biodegradable wasdte segregation initiative? The health official deputed there informed that there is no such initiative being implemented in EDMC headquarters.

General public is also now aware about such a move. An elderly woman, residing in Delhi’s Moujpur colony, North-East Delhi, informed that she never heard about segregating biodegradable waste.

Kusum Tomar, Municipal Councilor, Babarpur, East Delhi, informed that she learnt about the usage of different colored dustbins for segregation of waste but that is not being implemented in her area. She informed that she is not aware about any such drive of waste segregation being launched.

It is not just East Delhi but residents of South Delhi are also not aware about any waste segregation. Mr Mahendra Singh living in Sangam Vihar says  the waste is not lifted from their houses not to speak of waste segregation.

Mr Pradeep Khandelwal, Chief Engineer, Dams, EDMC, told DTMT that waste segregation drive is under progress. He informed that the people are being made aware about waste segregation in Preet Vihar. Later the corporation's drive will be launched in Mayur Vihar’s all phases.

Prevention better than cure for garbage in the cities

Dr. Parinita Kaur, Consultant, Internal Medicine

The most common sight in any large city, after the massive crowds, is the heaps of garbage lying on roadsides. It often gets the drains blocked and hence during rainy seasons, we see water logging all around. Apart from this, improper disposal of garbage on streets can result in breeding of mosquitoes, flies and other insects, leading to various vector borne diseases.

India produces about 1.5 lakh tonnes of waste everyday, not too much compared to global levels. What makes it hazardous is the fact that we are unable to segregate kitchen and recyclable waste. There is absence of marked garbage bins on streets. There is little mass education and awareness of benefits of cleanliness. There is no implementation of strict laws to deal with defaulters.

In India, most states’ municipalities are just dumping garbage in landfills, which are themselves almost always unscientifically developed and used in most careless manner.

Speaking to Drug Today Medical Times (DTMT), Dr Arun Sharma, Professor, Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, said, “The by-product of this untreated mess is pollution, groundwater pollution as well as air pollution. One fifth of India’s methane generation is just because of garbage.”

He said, “It is well recognized that untreated garbage gathers water which breeds dengue, chikungunia and other disease causing mosquitoes. Further, poisonous gases leaking from these garbage hills also cause breathing problems.”

Dr. Parinita Kaur, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, says “Garbage is the term used for rubbish or waste, especially domestic refuse. The biggest problem that India faces is the non segregation of waste, despite regulations from the Government regarding proper waste disposal. Ideally, the kitchen waste and the recyclable waste should be disposed in separate bags or containers for effective waste handling and recycling. But this is not what is being followed.

She further said, “Apart from this, the waste from small scale Industries is also dumped on roadsides, open grounds or landfills. This can contain hazardous substances which can lead to contamination of soil and groundwater, as well as produce poisonous inhalational gases. The contaminated soil becomes infertile for vegetation to grow. On the other hand, the humans get exposed to contaminated groundwater by ingestion of plant or animal products exposed to such water. Such water is also unfit for drinking and bathing purposes. Also, it poses risk to the flora and fauna of the surroundings.”

Ashish Jain, the founder of Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) has  a mission of improving standards of living in India with a focus on solid waste management and rainwater harvesting. With as many as 100,000 homes sending garbage to IPCA for vermi-composting, and a daily growing roster of costumers, Jain’s creepy crawly subjects are always working over time.

In a sidelines of a recently held Air-o-Thon conference in New Delhi, he told DTMT, “50% of the generated garbage is fit for composting and 30% is recyclable; which means that only 20% should reach the landfill. Building new landfills are not the solution. Apart from the fact that they are dangerous and dumping garbage like in Ghazipur landfill site causes the leaching of dangerous chemicals into the soil, it would be unfair to citizens of that neighbourhood to export the city’s garbage to their locality.”

He argues, “Commitment and discipline from both the municipal corporations and the residents is needed to successfully implement segregation of waste at source to reduce the amount of garbage that arrives at landfills.”

He said, “What we always fail in doing, though, is to segregate garbage at our home between biodegradable and non biodegradable. We don’t throw garbage in designated spots or in designated bins, and we never say no to polythene bags. We also barely bat an eyelid before throwing fruits peel, or plastic bags on sides of roads, oblivious of the fact that these all contribute to the foul odour and unpleasant sight that we so hate.”

More than a year after the notification of the much-delayed Solid Waste Management Rules, cities and towns are in no position to comply with its stipulations, beginning with the segregation of different kinds of waste at source and their scientific processing.

Prashant Gargava, additional director, Central Pollution Control Board said there is a need for technical capacity-building for which state boards need training and which the pollution control board is eager to arrange.

On the lacunae the state boards are facing in implementing waste management rules, Gargava highlighted the need to meet manpower and fund requirements and technical capabilities.

"These are some of the shortcomings and we will resolve them. New rules have already come and in order to implement them, we need to educate the people," Gargava said.

We have decided we will identify the training needs of the states and organise a specific programme through our regional offices around the country," Gargava said.

Gargava further said, "We were told that many states have done a lot of work in terms of plastic waste management. A request was made to all the states to share their good practices with other states so they can follow the project."

He said a series of workshops will be organised to educate and make people aware of the new rules of waste management, mandates and responsibilities.

A new paradigm is needed, in which bulk waste generators take the lead and city managers show demonstrable change in the way it is processed.

Half-hearted efforts have been made to segregate waste at source and to create waste to energy plants within all landfills. There has been no real change in the way that many states including Delhi, Haryana and Punjab deal with the problem of waste management.