REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth|November 01, 2024
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
HARI PRAKASH HAIHYVANSHI AND MANISH MISHRA
REVIEW THE TREATMENT

WHEN INDIA declared itself open-defecation-free, it marked a critical step toward safe sanitation. However, a pressing challenge remains—the effective treatment, disposal or reuse of wastewater and biosolids. Without addressing this, groundwater, waterbodies and rivers remain vulnerable to pollution. This gap is pronounced in small and medium towns that lack faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPS) and in larger towns where sewerage systems have not kept pace with urban expansion. Tackling this issue requires the installation of stand-alone FSTPS and welldesigned co-treatment infrastructure, enabling sewage treatment plants to handle faecal waste.

Faecal sludge management in India has made progress since 2017 when the National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Policy was released, and the country’s first fstp was set up in Devanahalli, Karnataka. Today, over 1,500 FSTPS have been built, the majority based on decentralised treatment systems that employ nature-based solutions, such as sedimentation and anaerobic processes, without requiring electromechanical treatment.

This story is from the November 01, 2024 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 01, 2024 edition of Down To Earth.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView All
A JOKE, INDEED
Down To Earth

A JOKE, INDEED

A CONFERENCE OF IRRESPONSIBLE PARTIES THAT CREATED AN OPTICAL ILLUSION TO THE REALITY OF A NEW CLIMATE

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 01, 2024
THINGS FALL APART
Down To Earth

THINGS FALL APART

THE WORLD HAS MADE PROGRESS IN MITIGATING EMISSIONS AND ADAPTING TO CLIMATE IMPACTS. BUT THE PROGRESS REMAINS GROSSLY INADEQUATE

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
VAPOUR ACTION
Down To Earth

VAPOUR ACTION

MOISTURE IS A SILENT FORCE THAT AMPLIFIES GLOBAL WARMING. YET SCIENTISTS UNDERSTAND LITTLE ABOUT THIS GREENHOUSE GAS AND HOW IT INFLUENCES WEATHER SYSTEMS

time-read
8 mins  |
December 01, 2024
OPEN AND SHUT CASE
Down To Earth

OPEN AND SHUT CASE

2024 WITNESSED A RECORD NUMBER OF ATTRIBUTION STUDIES THAT SHOW CLIMATE CHANGE AS THE KEY FACTOR BEHIND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
TEST OF SURVIVAL
Down To Earth

TEST OF SURVIVAL

GENERATION ALPHA INHERITS A WORLD IRREVOCABLY WARMER BY 1.5°C

time-read
5 mins  |
December 01, 2024
THE YEAR PLANET CHANGED
Down To Earth

THE YEAR PLANET CHANGED

WE KNOW THAT WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF CLIMATE EXTREMES. WE ARE NOT IN DENIAL. BUT WE ARE NO LONGER THE SOCIETIES THAT WORK FOR COMMON CAUSES

time-read
5 mins  |
December 01, 2024
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024