ICEH Papers

ASSESSMENT OF PREVAILING WATER SOURCING, SUPPLY, DISTRIBUTION AND SANITATION MEASURES IN A TYPICAL HOUSING PROJECT – A CASE STUDY

Kuttiappan, N.K. & R.Venkataraman “Assessment Of Prevailing Water Sourcing, Supply, Distribution And Sanitation Measures In A Typical Housing Project – A Case Study” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 263 – 269.

Abstract:

Our Country’s economy is fast growing, and so is the problem of sanitation. Once the water is consumed, it reappears as wastewater causing pollution problems. Ever since the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 promulgated, many industries have achieved remarkable progress in mitigating pollution and responding to “Reuse & Recycle” measures. However, the problem of municipal & township sewage is an unsolved issue even today. The Ministry of Environment & Forests and Ministry of Urban Development consider that this problem could be tackled, if a decentralized approach is effectively introduced for various infrastructure projects at the project stage itself. As a result of this, the recent notification seeking EIA formalities for a project discharging 50000 litres/day and above or Population Equivalent 1000 and above or a Project value Rs 50 Crore and above require a “Think Differently” approach. It will be wiser to tackle the sanitation problems through a three pronged strategy, viz a) On-site plant implementation b) Zonal plant implementation and c) Terminal STP implementation. The affordable group for “ON-SITE” sanitation improvement will include a host of players like Star hotels, builders, institutions, IT parks, theme parks, caterers, industrial estates, commercial complexes, resorts, hospitals, etc. Hence as part of the developmental process, these players are requested to tackle the wastewater problem proactively. In this article, an attempt has been made to present an actual case study, of how beneficial it is for a builder to incorporate on-site sewage reclamation at the project stage itself and “set a trend” for effective water management and sanitation improvement in one go. The financial implication to the “users” is also highlighted.

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