Pilot Testing of Bioremediation as an Alternative Treatment Technology for Municipal Wastewaters

Dr Anjana Pant WWF India, WWF India

Forestry Symposium 2011

Pilot Testing of Bioremediation as an Alternative Treatment Technology for Municipal

Wastewaters

Structure of the Presentation

Way Forward

Introduction

Analysis and Results

Methodology

Study Area

Objectives

Introduction

• Of the Total wastewater generated, 75% is Municipal sewage (NRCD 2006)

• Of this municipal sewage, only 65% gets treated (NRCD, 2006)• Priority and focus has been on GAP towns only (due to financial

limitations)

Wastewater (Ganga Basin) – some facts

• Site specific: Understanding what the site allows can be economic and environment friendly

• Very Low Infrastructure costs and low O&M costs• Provides opportunity to reuse treated wastewater• Energy Efficient: A forward looking plan for an energy scarce future

Wastewater treatment using Decentralized Options

Bioremediation is the use of living organisms, primarily microorganisms, to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.

Factors governing Bioremediation

Existence of desired microbial population capable of degrading the pollutants;

Availability of contaminants to the microbial population;

Environment factors (temperature, pH, and Nutrients).

Key Sites

River Ganga BasinRiver Ganga Basin

Kanpur

Narora

Cities Cities

Location of Target Areas for InterventionLocation of Target Areas for Intervention

AgricultureAgriculture

Industry ( Paper & Pulp, Sugar & Distillery, Tanneries)Industry ( Paper & Pulp, Sugar & Distillery, Tanneries)

Study Area

ZOO LAKE

FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KANPUR

SHARDA NAGAR DRAIN

PUMPING STATION

BAR SCREEN

VIKAS NAGAR DRAIN

A

B

C

D

1. To treat the wastewater on channel using ‘Bioremediation’ to improve its water quality to prescribed discharge standard of inland surface water by the Ministry of Environment and Forests or better, on a pilot basis.

2. To reduce/eliminate the threat to the health of Kanpur Zoo animals due to the entry of sewage into the Zoo lake through the drain.

3. To ensure an odorless atmosphere, devoid of microbial pathogens, to the inhabitants surrounding the drains and thus make the place more habitable.

4. Demonstrate ‘Bioremediation’ as an alternative low cost sewage treatment technology which is energy efficient..

Objectives

A stakeholder group consisting of the Kanpur Zoo, Urban Local Body of Kanpur, Jal Nigam, Local Communities and Media was constituted

Stakeholder ParticipationMethodology

Kanpur Nagar NigamLocal NGOsCPCB UPPCBNGRBAKanpur ZooUP Jal NigamIIT-KWWF IndiaTechnology partnerMedia

Point A – Inlet point

Point D – The Zoo Lake (sink)Point C – Outlet point

Point B – Mid-point

ZOO LAKE

FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE,KANPUR

SHARDA NAGAR DRAIN

PUMPING STATION

BAR SCREEN

BIOREMEDIATION: EXPERIENCES IN THE ZOO DRAINPoint B

Pumping station

Point A Forest Research Institute entrance

Point D Sink or the Zoo Lake

Point CBefore water

enters the zoo lake

b) slow release tabletsa) liquid spray

Analysis and Results

0

50

100

150

200

250

Inlet Mid-point Outlet Lake

TS

S (m

g/L

)

Points along the drain

Average Reduction in TSSTSS

Std

Point D

Suspended Solids Reduction

Point CPoint BPoint A

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Inlet mid-point Outlet Lake

BO

D (

mg

/L)

Points along the drain

Average reduction in BOD

BODStd

Point DPoint CPoint BPoint A

BOD Reduction

Reduction in Faecal Coliform

0

1.0 x 108

2.0 x 108

3.0 x 108

4.0 x 108

5.0 x 108

6.0 x 108

7.0 x 108

8.0 x 108

9.0 x 108

Wk 1 Wk 2

Time

Inlet

Std

Outlet

Faecal Coliform Reduction

S. N. Cost Head Capital cost Recurring cost (PA)

Remarks

1 Zoo Pumping station

42.00 16.00 Source of Data - Project Manager, E & M Sewerage Division, Rakhimandi, Kanpur, UP Jal Nigam

2 Water for the Zoo lake

1.08 Jal Kal Vibhag, Kanpur (9000 per month)

3 Environmental costs

During times of (a) power cut, (b) breakdown of either/both of the pumps, the wastewater continues to enter the lake and pollute it. Even during times it was being pumped to another drain it was

(a) polluting the other drain and also the Ganga river

(b) lake received no water and hence became dry. The Kanpur Zoo had to buy water from the barrage to fill the lake which also included pumping costs.

4 Bioremediation NA 39.50 Pilot Experiences