Why coastal regions in India need expertise in wastewater treatment

#Wastewatertreatment #STPexpertise #coastalcleanupday

#Ecoparadigm #pavethegreenway

Early this year (March 2023) the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) had noted that non-availability of sewage treatment facilities in urban local bodies across the coastal areas was posing a major threat to aquatic animals following the depletion of oxygen in marine waters. Human lives too were at risk due to the increase in toxic elements. The CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) notification of 2011 prohibits disposal of waste and effluents into coastal waters any existing practice of discharging untreated waste and effluents was required to be phased out by 2013.

However, the CAG found that in the 33 ULBs that they had studied, 17 of them had no STP and nor was anything planned. In 3 ULBs, STPs that were planned had a capacity lower than what was required. Hence, there was an urgent requirement to upgrade and implement STPS.

This is where expertise in wastewater treatment becomes so important and we can delineate few reasons as mentioned below.

?? Population Density: Coastal regions often have higher population densities compared to inland areas. The increased population can lead to greater wastewater generation, putting pressure on local wastewater treatment systems.

?? Tourism and Recreation: Coastal areas are popular tourist destinations, which can result in seasonal spikes in wastewater generation. Adequate wastewater infrastructure is needed to accommodate the influx of tourists during peak seasons.

?? Marine Ecosystem Impact: Improperly treated or untreated wastewater can have severe negative effects on coastal ecosystems. Nutrient pollution from wastewater, for example, can lead to algal blooms and oxygen-depleted "dead zones" in coastal waters, harming marine life. Local fishermen and their livelihoods also get severely effected and they have to travel into deeper seas.

?

• Planning sewage treatment plants in coastal areas need expertise as in some areas, there is a risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources. Poorly managed wastewater can exacerbate this problem by contaminating groundwater, making it unsuitable for both drinking and agricultural purposes.
• Coastal regions are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels. Increased flooding and storm surges can damage wastewater treatment facilities, leading to infrastructure problems.
• ?As coastal populations grow, there is a greater need for infrastructure development, including wastewater treatment plants and sewer systems. Planning and managing this development sustainably are essential to protect coastal ecosystems.
• Many coastal areas are near international borders or have shared waters with neighboring countries. This necessitates cooperation and agreements regarding wastewater management to prevent cross-border pollution.

Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Practices: Coastal regions may adopt sustainable wastewater management practices, such as decentralized treatment systems, recycling treated wastewater for non-potable uses, and implementing green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff. ?Is there a system that can do this??

Look no further. Ecoparadigm’s DTS system is one such sustainable decentralised treatment system that is time tested and can be designed for any geography. For more details contact us at [email protected]

?