Bharuch: The “Gray Water Treatment Plant,” developed by the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board of the State Government, aims to address the challenge of wastewater disposal in rural areas of the state was commissioned as a pilot project in Shuklatirtha, Bharuch. Its success in purifying and reusing previously unusable water marks a significant achievement. Moreover, this pilot project serves as an inspiration for other districts and rural areas, offering a solution for wastewater disposal generated from daily consumption at the rural level.

What is a Gray Water Treatment Plant?

The Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board has approved several technology-based pilot projects to treat grey water at the village level. In 2022, a grey water purification scheme with a capacity of 700 KLD (kiloliters per day) was implemented as a pilot project in Shukaltirtha village. The project received a sanctioned budget of Rs. 1.97 crores for a duration of five years for repair and maintenance. The grey water treatment plant is based on Soil Bio Technology, which provides multiple advantages. Notably, it requires low-cost management by the Gram Panchayat, generates no sludge, occupies minimal space, and requires easy daily maintenance. Additionally, this eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing plant operates without any odor.

How does a Gray Water Treatment Plant work?

The grey water from all the houses in the village is first collected and brought to the plant’s wet well through a 2.3 km long pipeline using gravity. Subsequently, it passes through a coarse and parabolic fine screen to remove debris larger than 3 millimeters. The grey water is then pumped into the pre-sedimentation tank, where sedimentation occurs. Soil bio-technology-based bio-reactors are then sprayed through parallel pipelines over the media layer, consisting of different-sized media and culture catalysts. These elements effectively remove sludge and impurities from the grey water. The filtered water from the bio-reactors is chlorinated and discharged into the Narmada River. Currently, this treated water is being utilized for the irrigation of trees and flower plants along the banks of the Narmada River. The excellent results obtained through laboratory testing demonstrate the efficiency of this plant.

Benefits of a Gray Water Treatment Plant for Villagers

The implementation of the grey water treatment plant has brought numerous benefits to the villagers. They are now free from waterborne diseases and can lead healthier lives. Additionally, the proper disposal of impure water has contributed to a cleaner village. The plant’s eco-friendly nature and energy conservation practices also result in financial benefits for the villagers.

Water, being one of the fundamental elements of life, holds immense significance. With increasing daily and industrial water consumption, the issue of impure water generated after use, known as grey water, arises. Grey water mainly consists of wastewater produced from household activities such as laundry and dishwashing. If not safely disposed of, it can pose environmental hazards. Villages often face this problem, with ponds accumulating untreated grey water. In order to tackle this issue, the Water Supply and Sewerage Board initiated a pilot project, establishing a grey water treatment plant with a capacity of 700 KLD in Shukaltirtha village, Bharuch district.

Shukaltirtha, located 10 km from Bharuch, is a popular and sacred pilgrimage site. More than 8,500 people reside in this village. The villagers had been grappling with the persistent challenge of sewage disposal. Inadequate wastewater management led to the direct discharge of untreated wastewater into the village’s central lake, resulting in issues such as pollution, foul odor, and waterborne diseases. During the monsoon season, the water overflowed, causing sanitation and health problems for the villagers.

To provide a permanent solution to this problem, the Gray Water Treatment Plant with a capacity of 700 KLD was implemented as a pilot project in Shukaltirtha village in 2022 by the Water Supply and Sewerage Board of the Government of Gujarat. Through this plant, gray water is effectively treated and purified in Shukaltirtha village, addressing waterborne diseases, sanitation concerns, and wastewater disposal challenges. Undoubtedly, the gray water purification scheme will prove to be a game-changer in addressing impure water generated from daily consumption in rural areas. DeshGujarat