Alappuzha municipality set to roll out mobile septage treatment unit

Amidst growing concerns over wastewater dumping into waterbodies, including Vembanad Lake, the Alappuzha municipality is set to introduce a mobile septage treatment unit (MTU). According to municipal authorities, the unit, with a total capacity of one lakh litres, has completed trial runs and will become operational in the coming days.

Amidst growing concerns over wastewater dumping into waterbodies, including Vembanad Lake, the Alappuzha municipality is set to introduce a mobile septage treatment unit (MTU). According to municipal authorities, the unit, with a total capacity of one lakh litres, has completed trial runs and will become operational in the coming days.

Bolstering the efforts to ensure sustainable waste management, the MTU will collect and process septage from households and establishments across the municipal area. A meeting of the municipal council recently approved rates for the scientific treatment of toilet waste. Households will be charged ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 depending on vehicle accessibility. In the case of families below the poverty line, ₹3,000 will be collected. Houseboats will have to pay a minimum of ₹2,000 per 1,000 litre and commercial establishments ₹6,000 per hour.

With an operational capacity of 6,000 litres per hour, the MTU will separate solid and liquid waste. Officials said the end product would be clear water, while the minimal quantity of thickened sludge would undergo secondary treatment.

“The MTU will help bring an end to the long-standing issue of dumping toilet waste into water bodies. It uses technology developed by a Delhi-based institute. Treated water will be discharged into agricultural fields or drains, while the solid waste will be transported to a treatment facility and converted into fertiliser,” said an official.

Dumping of septage by tanker lorries during nighttime has been a persistent issue, leading to water contamination, public complaints, and health hazards in the municipality. “Apart from introducing the MTU, the municipality has decided to strengthen the operations of its health squad. The squad will intensify checks to prevent illegal dumping of septage in waterbodies, drains and open places,” the official added.

The civic body bought the MTU using funds sanctioned under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation scheme. A second unit is also expected to arrive soon.