Question : Swachh Certification Protocols

(a) whether the Government has revised Swachh Certification Protocols to sustain Open Defecation Free status across the country;

(b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;

(c) whether the Government has monitored the progress of overall used water management ecosystem in Urban India so far under the mission;

(d) if so, the details in this regard; and

(e) the steps taken as to how no un-treated used water is discharged into water bodies in the country under the Swachh Bharat Mission?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a) & (b) : The revised Swachh Certification Protocols for Open Defecation Free (ODF), ODF+, ODF++ and Water+ certifications were launched on 24thJune, 2022 under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0.

Key features of the revised protocols are given below:
ODF – Stronger evaluation mechanism by increasing the survey sample size and location types. Higher focus will now be on vulnerable Open Defecation (OD) spots like railway tracks, water bodies etc.

• ODF+ - Focus on functionality of Community and Public Toilets (CT/PT) and sustainable O&M models.

• ODF++ - Emphasis on mechanized cleaning of septic tanks and sewers, safe collection & treatment of used water as well as safe management of faecal sludge.

• Water+ - Focus on collection, transportation, treatment and reuse of both used water and faecal sludge.

(c) & (d) : Government launched the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), in 500 cities on 25 June 2015. AMRUT aimed to provide universal coverage of water supply by providing 1.39 crore household tap connections. Likewise, coverage of sewer/ septage connections were proposed to increase from 31% to 62% by providing 1.45 crore connections. So far, 1.12 crore tap connections and 87 lakh sewer connections have been provided. Sewage treatment plants of capacity 1,800 MLD have been created; out of this 907 MLD is being reused. Government has also launched the AMRUT 2.0, with the aim of making cities ''water secure'' and providing functional water tap connections to all households. Mission also targets to provide 100% sewage/ septage management in 500 AMRUT cities.

Used Water Management (UWM) for towns having population less than 1 lakh has been newly added as a component under SBM-U 2.0 launched on 1st October, 2021.

(e) : To achieve the objective of treating used water before discharge into water body/ environment, the following steps have been taken:
(i). Government funding for STPs/ FSTPs : Under SBM-U 2.0, central assistance is given for construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)/ STP cum Faecal Sludge Treatment plants (FSTPs) for used water treatment.


(ii). Government funding for drains : Under SBM-U 2.0, central assistance is given also for interception and diversion of drains, including last mile connectivity for nearest sewer network.
(iii). Recycle & Reuse of secondary and tertiary treated water : The secondary and tertiary treated used water is being used by ULBs either for self-consumption, or sold for use in gardening, flushing of toilets, agriculture, horticulture, industries and municipal purposes (such as dust mitigation, road washing, construction activity, etc).
(iv). IT enabled interventions : States/ ULBs are encouraged to deploy digital (IT enabled) tools/ computer software for design of various project components, its cost estimation, Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation, real time monitoring of efficiency parameters during the operational phase of STPs and allied equipments.

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