Decentralizing for the Future

A typical decentralized module combines pre-treatment, primary, secondary and tertiary treatments implemented in a modular fashion. The selection of the appropriate technical configuration for a decentralized system depends on multiple factors including the quantity and quality of wastewater, land availability, site and groundwater conditions, treatment standards, end use of the effluent and socio-cultural acceptability. While the treatment train is similar to the centralized system, DEWATS enables us to containerize the treatment to manageable scales. Reducing the scale also opens the opportunity to use nature-based solutions like planted reed bed filters, duckweed ponds systems etc. Aerobic and/or anaerobic treatment technologies can be implemented as well. While the aerobic systems have a smaller footprint in comparison with nature-based solutions, their energy consumption is high. Tough anaerobic systems are low energy consumers, the start-up time is high and the effluent meet only moderate levels of quality. Hence, the technological decisions are trade-offs between the different factors and are highly dependent on the local environment.

The technological recommendations provided under the Ministry of Urban Development Guidelines can be enlisted as follows:

• 1. Wastewater collection systems: shallow sewer system, small bore sewer system, twin drain
• 2. Primary treatment systems: screens, grit chamber, primary clarifier, septic tank, Imhoff tank, biogas settler
• 3. Secondary treatment systems: activated sludge treatment, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, sequencing batch reactor, membrane bioreactor etc.
• 4. Tertiary treatment systems: chlorination, ozonation

A GIS-based approach (GIS, geographic information system) can also be used to identify pollution hotspots in a town and the potential sites for DEWATS. The dataset required for this include topography, land use land cover, geology, and distance from major water bodies, climate and the required wastewater characteristics. GIS can be used to create and analyse several grids of different themes to finalize the potential sites. Buffer zones can also be added depending on the local standards. Further, multi-criteria analysis can help determine the most suited site to set up a decentralized treatment system. Expanding the possibilities of RS-GIS (RS, remote sensing), we can also analyse the suitability of treated wastewater for different purposes.
Despite a general consensus on implementing decentralized wastewater treatment systems across the country, there aren’t enough institutional frameworks that can aid the design and implementation of these projects in Indian towns. Efforts towards decentralization remain sporadic and fragmented. The knowledge and skill levels must be passed down to the local level for better operation and management of DEWATS. The system must be embedded into the City Development Plans and land must be earmarked in different parts of the city for the same.
The skill requirements for the day-to-day management of a decentralized system is also basic and not too extensive. Engaging stakeholders is vital throughout the development and implementation. The varying interests and participation levels of the stakeholders warrants different engagement methods like personal meetings, workshops, focus group discussions, surveys etc.
As recommended by studies, introducing DEWATS at individual and institutional levels can delineate the water quality and management problems to a large extent. Many institutions and communities have set up Decentralized Treatment Systems as pilot projects. The reaches need to be widened and the impetus must be passed across different towns in the country. Team AQUA-Hub is proud to be associated with the town of Coimbatore in the development of a comprehensive decentralization framework for the city. We would like to thank our partners for their continued support in the project and hope to help Coimbatore become water smart.