In a Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) research study I did several years ago for a UN- GDP project, it was no surprise to find that people at large treat waste as a non-issue. Which probably explains among several other things the reason for the appalling state of liquid and solid waste treatment in India.
Water and organic solid wastes are more appropriately 'wasted' resources. Proper treatment can ensure these are reused effectively and as a result keep our environment much cleaner. There is much to be gained from doing it rightly.
In the case of sewage water, large centralized plants are set up by the municipality. In the case of Bangalore, the nearly 1000 MLD of sewage is not fully treated by these centralized plants. In fact it is estimated that not more than fifty percent of this is treated in centralized STP's. The rest are allowed to flow down storm water drains and pollute water bodies. The case of foaming and fish kill in several lakes of Bangalore is well known. Moreover, the contaminated water is used for farming vegetables further downstream in some areas thus leading to further health hazards.
The growth of the IT city of Bangalore has put a huge strain on its water requirements. Many stages of bringing water from the river Cauvery has been grossly insufficient. More than half the population depend on borewells. Over-exploitation of this underground resource has resulted in the water table going down to more than a thousand feet in most parts of the periphery of the city.
Under these circumstances it makes imminent sense to recycle and reuse as much waste water as possible. Of course this must go hand in hand with water conservation and rain water harvesting and preserving our water bodies on a massive scale.
The need is urgent and we all have a responsibility. We cannot leave this to the government alone. Citizens need to play an active role.
Water and organic solid wastes are more appropriately 'wasted' resources. Proper treatment can ensure these are reused effectively and as a result keep our environment much cleaner. There is much to be gained from doing it rightly.
In the case of sewage water, large centralized plants are set up by the municipality. In the case of Bangalore, the nearly 1000 MLD of sewage is not fully treated by these centralized plants. In fact it is estimated that not more than fifty percent of this is treated in centralized STP's. The rest are allowed to flow down storm water drains and pollute water bodies. The case of foaming and fish kill in several lakes of Bangalore is well known. Moreover, the contaminated water is used for farming vegetables further downstream in some areas thus leading to further health hazards.
The growth of the IT city of Bangalore has put a huge strain on its water requirements. Many stages of bringing water from the river Cauvery has been grossly insufficient. More than half the population depend on borewells. Over-exploitation of this underground resource has resulted in the water table going down to more than a thousand feet in most parts of the periphery of the city.
Under these circumstances it makes imminent sense to recycle and reuse as much waste water as possible. Of course this must go hand in hand with water conservation and rain water harvesting and preserving our water bodies on a massive scale.
The need is urgent and we all have a responsibility. We cannot leave this to the government alone. Citizens need to play an active role.
