Waste Water Management and Treatment | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

The paper describes the type of wastewater from domestic usage and reflects on the quantity generated. Depending upon the use, the wastewater has to be treated at different levels with increasing order of the treatment. These levels are explained. As regards application of treated sludge on land, the major problem is the economical marketing of the product, but agricultural reuse has been established in many countries. The natural ecosystem, external inputs to primary food production, recycling of nutrients, system of wastewater utilization and project evaluation are explained. The environmental and health aspects are extremely important in the soil and crop system of any land application of treated wastewater. The potential for infection to human, animal and plants from land application can be mainly attributed to the presence of pathogenic organisms. We have reviewed available data on wastewater and agriculture in India. India is rich in water resources and endowed with a network of rivers and alluvial basins to hold ground water. However natural variability is of much importance. The demand for water for domestic use, irrigation, energy, industry and others has been calculated. Municipal sewage is the main source of water pollution in India especially in and around urban areas. The total wastewater generated at present from 299 class 1 cities, comprising of 63% of total population, is around 17000 MLD. Out of this 60% is generated from 23 metro cities. Around 11 municipal corporations and 10 municipalities have sewage farms organized through public authorities. It is, however, observed that not much data is available, and a lot more work is needed. It is felt that the use of treated municipal wastewater for Agriculture in India will gain many direct benefits in the country. Suggestions for further Investigations in India are made.