Disposal of septic waste to go online from next January
plan to regulate the disposal of septic tank sewage, which is at an advanced stage, is likely to come into operation from next January as two private agencies have been shortlisted for the purpose.
The work is being undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). Officials said that final touches are being given to the plan and an online system is being developed to monitor and regulate the plan.
Sewage disposal from individual houses, through septic tankers, has appeared as a major challenge for the district administration over the last decade.
Septic tanks hired by individual house owners dispose of the sewage illegally in stormwater drains or other vacant spaces across the city, which, in turn, pollutes the soil and environment. Further, this untreated waste is carried to the Najafgarh drain.
The aim of the MCG and GMDA is to stop illegal disposal of untreated sewage that leads to the Najafgarh drain and pollutes the Yamuna.
In 2012, the centre for science and environment (CSE) in a report ‘Excreta Matters’ stated that the sewage disposal is set to be catastrophic by 2021 in Gurugram, by mentioning that the city would “drown in its own excreta.”
The report stated that the city would generate 533 million litres of sewage by 2021, but its capacity to treat waste water will fall short, at 255 MLD. The two sewage treatment plants, at present, can treat around 240 MLD of sewage, whereas around 300MLD of sewage is generated every day, according to estimates.
The MCGhas identified 35 locations where septic tanks can dispose of the sewage and the process will be monitored.