New sewage plants in 3 schools to use green treatment method

THE TECHNOLOGY USES ECOLOGICAL METHOD TO TREAT WATER USING SPECIFIC PLANTS, GRAVEL, SAND, SOIL AND ROCKS AS DIFFERENT LAYERS

NEWDELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council will install decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPS) in three of its schools.

Treated water from these plants will be used for horticulture in nearby green areas. The plants will be of different sizes, depending on the available area.

The plan was announced in the NDMC budget 2018-19 presented last week by chairman Naresh Kumar.

“One STP of capacity of 60 kilo litres per day was constructed at NP Girls School, Gole Market on pilot basis in 2017-18. I am proposing to construct three more such STPS, including one in NP Senior Secondary School, Laxmi Bai Nagar, New Delhi, in 2018-19,” Kumar said.

The council has already signed an MOU with National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) to provide consultancy for construction of the STPS with Phytorid technology, which is a self-sustaining technology developed by Neeri that works on the principles of natural wetland.

“Phytorid systems are based on natural treatment methods and have distinct advantages over conventional treatment plants. Phytorid technology has low capital cost and a minimal operating cost due to lack of electrical and mechanical operated parts. Also, no dedicated manpower is required,” Kumar said.

According to council officials, the technology uses ecological method to treat water using specific plants, gravel, sand, soil and rocks as different layers.

Earlier, the council had announced decentralised treatment plants at 10 locations.

According to officials, NDMC is a greener area in comparison to other areas of Delhi. However, it is a challenge to maintain this green area as the availability of water is limited. “Any additional source of water is rare. So, NDMC has decided to construct its own decentralised STPS so that the treated water can be made available,” an official said.