Wastewater Management | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Damage Caused by Wastewater

Human Health:

• Diseases: Contaminated water sources can transmit diseases such as hepatitis and cholera due to the presence of fecal matter.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Pharmaceuticals in wastewater can accelerate AMR, posing severe health risks.

Environmental Impact:

• Food Chain Disruption: Toxic substances like cadmium and lead can accumulate in fish, affecting the entire food chain.
• Soil and Crops: Wastewater used for irrigation can contaminate soil, reducing crop yield and posing health risks when these crops are consumed.
• Aquatic Life: Toxic substances in wastewater can deplete dissolved oxygen levels, threatening marine life. Excess nutrients cause eutrophication, degrading water quality.
• Light Obstruction: Oils and grease in wastewater form a surface layer that blocks sunlight, affecting photosynthetic aquatic plants.

Water Quality:

• Potable Water Shortage: Contaminated water sources lead to a lack of clean drinking water, particularly affecting rural areas.
• Economic Impact: Poor water quality can hinder economic growth, with increased organic pollution reducing GDP growth rates.

Challenges in India’s Wastewater Management

Infrastructure:

• Inadequate Capacity: India’s water treatment capacity is only 27.3%, and many treatment facilities are non-operational.
• Maintenance Issues: Existing facilities often require urgent repairs or upgrades.

Regulatory and Governance Issues:

• Fragmented Governance: Water management is divided between state and central authorities, leading to confusion and inefficiency.
• Lack of Coordination: Responsibilities among different government levels are not clearly defined, causing duplication of efforts.

Decentralized Management:

• Local Governance: Fragmented control at rural and urban levels complicates water resource management.
• Government Limitations: Government alone cannot meet the high demand for wastewater treatment, necessitating public-private partnerships.

Initiatives by the Government

Legislative Actions:

• Water Act of 1974: Established Central and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to manage water pollution, including standards for wastewater treatment.
• Environment Protection Act of 1986: Mandates effluent treatment facilities for industrial units.

Pollution Control Measures:

• National River Conservation Plan: Includes sewerage systems and sewage treatment plants to prevent raw sewage from entering rivers.
• Namami Gange Programme: Focuses on pollution reduction and revitalization of the Ganga River, with multiple sewage treatment projects completed or in progress.

Way Forward

Decentralized Treatment:

• On-Site Treatment: Small-scale decentralized plants for townships, industrial parks, and gated colonies treat wastewater directly at the source.
• Private Sector Involvement: Encouraging private investment can bring advanced technology and improved management to wastewater treatment.

State and Federal Collaboration:

• Comprehensive Regulations: Uniform regulations across states are necessary for effective wastewater management.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Treated water should be priced lower than potable water to encourage acceptance. Revenue from biogas and nutrient recovery can offset treatment costs.

Innovative Practices:

• Biogas Production: Utilizing organic material in sewage to produce biogas can make wastewater treatment energy-efficient and economical, as demonstrated in cities like Gresham and Oakland in the USA.

Efforts to address these challenges and implement effective wastewater management practices are crucial for environmental sustainability, public health, and economic development.