(a) the expected increase in quantum of sewage after construction of more toilets across the country under the Swachh Bharat Mission;
(b) whether the present capacity is adequate to handle and treat the present amount of waste water and sewage generated everyday and if so, the details thereof indicating the estimated increase in volume; and
(c) if not, the measures being taken by the Government to handle this shortfall in sewage treatment capacity?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)
(a)The increase in quantum of sewage is not attributed to construction of more toilets across the country under Swachh Bharat Mission. Sewage is one which is flowing through network sewers. It may go to treatment facility or disposed elsewhere with or without treatment. With construction of toilets, the necessity arises for management of septage from septic tanks for which the component of septage management is an eligible component under AMRUT.
(b) As per the assessment carried out by CPCB in the year 2015, the sewage generation and treatment capacity for Urban Population of India, is estimated to be 61,948 MLD (approx) and 23,277 MLD respectively.
The mandate of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is rural sanitation, for which Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has been launched. The Mission is a comprehensive programme to ensure sanitation facilities in rural areas with the main objective of eradicating the practice of open defecation and ensuring clean environment. Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) is one of the integral components of SBM(G) and under Liquid Waste Management, activities like low cost drainage, soakage channels/ pits, waste stabilization ponds system, reuse of waste water etc. can be taken up. Depending upon the amount of waste water generated, the State can choose the type of liquid waste management facility they wish to create. Funds for Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities with a cap of Rs. 7/12/15/20 lakh are available for Gram Panchayats having upto 150/300/500/ more than 500 households.
(c) In 2015, Ministry has launched two missions namely, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Mission for Smart Cities under which financial assistance will be provided for creating sewerage and sewage treatment facilities in urban areas of the country. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched, under which financial assistance is provided for sewerage connection including Decentralised, networked underground sewerage systems, including augmentation of existing sewerage systems and sewage treatment plants, rehabilitation of old sewerage system and treatment plants and also recycling of water for beneficial purposes and reuse of wastewater. The mission covers 500 class 1 and other cities having a population of greater than 1 lakh. Details related to AMRUT may be obtained from concerned Division.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), measures are taken to prevent open defecation and to provide safe disposal of human excreta. This can be done through on-site toilet technologies such as twin-leach pit that do not require underground sewerage system and are much cheaper and equally effective. The choice of technology lies with the end-user, as long as it ensures safe disposal of human excreta.
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