Indigenous and sustainable technologies for sewerage systems and sewage treatment in India,

utilizing local resources, are crucial for addressing the country's diverse environmental and
socio-economic conditions. Given the limitations of conventional centralized systems in many
areas, decentralized and nature-based solutions are gaining prominence.

Indigenous and Sustainable Technologies for Sewerage Systems:

Moving away from expensive and water-intensive conventional deep sewer systems, several
alternative and more sustainable approaches are being explored and implemented in India:

• Small Bore Sewers/Shallow Sewers/Simplified Sewerage: These systems use smaller

diameter pipes laid at a shallower depth compared to conventional sewers. They are
suitable for areas with lower water consumption and can follow the natural terrain,
reducing excavation costs. They often require solids-free wastewater, which can be
achieved through household-level pretreatment like septic tanks or biogas settlers.

• Twin Pit Pour Flush Toilets: These on-site sanitation systems are a low-cost and water-
efficient method for managing blackwater (toilet waste). The alternating use of two pits
allows for the decomposition and safe handling of sludge, which can eventually be used
as a soil conditioner.

• Decentralized Wastewater Collection Networks: Instead of a single large network,

smaller networks collect wastewater from clusters of houses or communities and
transport it to decentralized treatment systems. This reduces the length of pipelines and
pumping requirements.

• Community-Managed Systems: Involving the local community in the planning,

construction, and maintenance of sewerage systems can ensure their sustainability and
appropriateness for local conditions. This fosters ownership and responsibility.

• Use of Locally Available Materials: Utilizing locally sourced materials like bamboo,
certain types of bricks, and natural fibers for constructing components of the sewerage
system can reduce costs and the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Indigenous and Sustainable Technologies for Sewage Treatment:

India has a long history of utilizing natural processes for wastewater treatment. Modern
approaches often integrate these traditional methods with scientific advancements:

• Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSPs): These are large, shallow ponds where natural
processes like sunlight, algae, and bacteria treat wastewater. They are cost-effective,
require minimal energy, and are suitable for warm climates with sufficient land
availability. Different types of ponds (anaerobic, facultative, and maturation ponds) can
be used in series to achieve the desired treatment levels.

• Constructed Wetlands (CWs): These are engineered systems that mimic natural
wetlands to treat wastewater. They use plants, soil, and microorganisms to remove
pollutants. CWs can be surface flow or subsurface flow, and they offer benefits like low
energy consumption, habitat creation, and aesthetic value. They are effective in treating
a range of pollutants and can be designed for different scales.

• Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactors: These reactors use an anaerobic
process where a blanket of microbial sludge treats the wastewater as it flows upwards.
 UASB technology is efficient in removing organic matter and has the added advantage of
biogas production, which can be used as a renewable energy source.

• Anaerobic Digestion (AD): This process involves the breakdown of organic matter in the
absence of oxygen by microorganisms. It is effective for treating sludge from other
treatment processes and can also be used for treating raw sewage in certain contexts.
AD produces biogas, a valuable energy resource.

• Soil Biotechnology (SBT): This is a nature-based technology that utilizes the self-
purification capacity of the soil and the interaction between soil, microorganisms, and
plant roots to treat wastewater. It involves passing wastewater through a designed soil
filter bed.

• Duckweed Ponds: Duckweed, a small aquatic plant, can be grown in ponds to treat
wastewater. It absorbs nutrients and pollutants, and the harvested duckweed can be
used as animal feed or in other applications.

• Phytoremediation: This technique uses various types of plants to remove, degrade, or

stabilize contaminants in wastewater and sludge. Different plants have different
capacities for accumulating or tolerating specific pollutants.

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTS):

A key aspect of sustainable sewage management in India is the adoption of DWWTS. These
systems treat wastewater at or near the point of generation, eliminating the need for extensive
and expensive centralized infrastructure. DWWTS can incorporate various combinations of the
technologies mentioned above, tailored to the specific needs and resources of a community or
institution.

Benefits of DWWTS:

• Cost-effective: Lower capital and operational costs compared to centralized systems.

• Environmentally sustainable: Reduced energy consumption for pumping and

transportation, potential for resource recovery (biogas, treated water for reuse).

• Flexible and adaptable: Can be scaled to suit different population sizes and
wastewater volumes.

• Suitable for diverse terrains and remote areas: Eliminates the challenges of laying
long sewer lines in difficult terrains.

• Promotes water reuse: Treated water can be used locally for irrigation, gardening,
industrial processes, etc., reducing the demand for freshwater.

• Faster implementation: Shorter construction times compared to large centralized

plants.

Examples of DWWTS in India:

• DEWATS (Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems) by CDD Society: These

systems typically combine anaerobic treatment (septic tanks, anaerobic baffled
reactors) with aerobic treatment (planted gravel filters, polishing ponds) using natural
processes and locally available materials.
 • SUSBIO ECOTREAT: Prefabricated, modular sewage treatment plants that are energy-
efficient and require minimal maintenance, suitable for various decentralized
applications.

• Johkasou Technology by Daiki Axis India: Compact and efficient decentralized

wastewater treatment systems suitable for smaller cities, towns, and rural areas.

Integrating Local Resources:

The sustainability of these technologies is enhanced by the use of local resources:

• Construction Materials: Utilizing locally available materials like bricks, stones, sand,
gravel, bamboo, and certain plant-based materials reduces transportation costs and
supports local economies.

• Natural Treatment Components: Utilizing locally available plants for constructed

wetlands and phytoremediation, and leveraging the natural soil for SBT systems.

• Community Participation: Engaging local communities in the construction, operation,

and maintenance ensures the long-term viability and ownership of the systems. Local
knowledge can also contribute to the optimization and adaptation of these
technologies.

• Sludge Management: Exploring local options for sludge treatment and reuse, such as
composting for agricultural use, biogas production for energy, or using treated sludge as
a soil amendment, promotes a circular economy.

By focusing on indigenous knowledge, leveraging natural processes, utilizing local resources,

and promoting decentralized approaches, India can develop sustainable and cost-effective
sewerage and sewage treatment systems that are appropriate for its diverse needs and
contribute to environmental protection and public health.