Waste Water Treatment in

Ganga River Basin

Manoj Chaurasia

Assistant Environment Engineer

U P POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

Nirmal Dhara! Aviral Dhara!

Sequence of Presentation

• ENVIRONMENT & POLLUTION

• GOVERNING BODIES IN INDIA

• ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS & RULES

• WASTE WATER TREATMENT OBJECTIVES

• MA GANGA & POLLUCTION SOURCES

• CENTRAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR AVIRAL DHARA

• WASTE WATER STATUS IN ALLAHABAD

• COMMENT ON DISINFECTION

• TERTIARY TREATMENT SCHEME

• BOTTLENECKS IN REUSE & RECLAMATION

• POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: RESUE & RECLAMATION

Water Pollution Air Pollution

Hazardous waste

Municipal solid waste

Noise Pollution

Bio-medical waste

E-Waste

ENVIRONMENT and POLLUTION

Rivers, ground water Ambient air quality

Open dumps in cities

Infectious waste

D.G. sets, Crackers

Toxic chemicals, Contamination

Discarded TV, Comp. parts

Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF),

Government of India

Establishes environmental policies, sets goals andfacilitate the implementation of such policies.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

To set environmental standards for all parts of thecountry.

State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) andPollution Control Committees (PCCs)

Regulatory bodies set up for the implementation of thenorms to bring pollution under control in therespective states and union territories.

Governing Bodies in India

Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998

The Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000

Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000

Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989

.…….

…….

Functions and responsibilities of CPCB, SPCBs &

PCCs are assigned under these Acts and Rules.

Environmental Acts and Rules

Waste water - Which is not usable but thrown in the

environment.

Sources- Domestic activities and various industrial

activities .

Objectives of Treatment- To protect the general

environment and public health.

Extent of Treatment- Based on receiving bodies. (inland

waters, on land, ocean)

We can get any pollutant out of water (at a cost)!

Waste Waster Treatment : Introduction

Constituents in Waste WaterConstituents in municipal wastewater subject to treatment:

Conventional: TSS, Colloidal solids, BOD, COD, TOC,

Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total nitrogen, Phosphorus,

Bacteria, Virus, cysts.

Non-conventional: Refractory organics, VOCs, Surfactants,

Metals,TDS

Emerging: Prescription & nonprescription drugs, Home

care products, Veterinary and human antibiotics, Industrial

& household products, Sex & steroidal products, Other

endocrine disrupters

Ma Ganga : Aviral DharaThe entire stretch of river Ganga (main stem) can be viewed into

three segments:

A. Upper Ganga ≈ 294 km Gaumukh to Haridwar

B. Middle Ganga ≈ 1082 km Haridwar to Varanasi

C. Lower Ganga ≈ 1134 km Varanasi to Ganga Sagar

Middle Segment & Pollution Sources:

Substantial portion of the river flow is diverted to support

agricultural activities through system of canals.

Particularly the confluence of Ramganga and Kali also bring in a

lot of domestic/industrial pollution load beside augment the flow of

river.

Mixed/domestic discharges by several towns situated on the river

bank and agricultural activities contribute to the point and non-

point pollution load in this segment of Ganges.

Ma Ganga : Pollution Sources

Localized Sources:

Encroachment of river bed,

gravel/sand mining, riverbed farming,

Active netting of fish, open defecation, Cattle wallowing etc.

In many places dumping of solid wastes including floral

offering and other materials used for religious purposes,

Washing of clothes,

Wallowing of animals,

Throwing un-burnt/partially burnt dead bodies

Activities adversely affect aesthetics, water quality

and aquatic life.

Ma Ganga : Central Government Initiatives After the past attempts like Ganga Action Plans: Phase I (GAP I) and

Phase II (GAP II). Recently, the central government has constituted

National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) as a planning,

financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for effective

abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga.

For the prevention and management of the above adverse impacts on

river and riverbanks in such towns in the Ganga river basin, urban

river management plans are proposed through NGRBA.

Zero discharge municipality/city concept (i.e. completely prohibit the

disposal of treated or untreated wastewater into surface water

bodies) needs to be implemented in the Ganga Basin by recycling and

reusing of treated effluent for ‘non-potable, non-human contact’ uses

within the municipality/city.

Ma Ganga : For AVIRAL DHARA In order to reduce substantial expenditure on long distance

conveyance of sewage as well as treated water for recycling,

decentralized treatment of sewage is advisable.

All new developments must build in water recycling and zero liquid

discharge systems.

Salient Features of Recommended STPs

Continuous measurement of flow at the inlet and outlet

Excellent preliminary treatment

Treatment up to tertiary level

Online bioassay test

Pumping and STPs to be taken together for contracting/bidding

(Report Code: 003_GBP_IIT_EQP_S&R_02_Ver 1_Dec 2010)

Urban River Management Plans(URMPs)

Salient Features

Riverbank beautification and development.

Open defecation, disposal of solid waste, dhobi ghats, etc. should

eventually be banned in both public and private lands on the

riverbank.

Provisioning for diversion of all sewage flowing into the river

through, i) large and small ‘nalas’, and ii) sewers, to sewage

treatment plants.

All new/renovated sewage treatment plants must be designed to

treat sewage up to tertiary levels.

Storage, Transport and Reuse Infrastructure for Treated Water.

(Report Code: 002_GBP_IIT_EQP_S&R_01_Ver 1_Dec 2010)

Wastewater Reuse :Public Perception!

Can we accept such water ?

(Which has been in contact with human wastes irrespective of the

highest degree of treatment provided to the wastewater.)

This kind of system may have its own problems in a country like

ours. Gardeners, servants, etc., may drink non-potable supplies

regularly, out of ignorance.

Po et al. (2004) suggested that people may perceive reusing

wastewater too risky because

i) the source of this water is not natural,

ii) it may have potential to harm people,

iii) there might be unknown future consequences of reusing wastewater,

(v) the quality and safety of the water is not within their control.

STATUS OF ALLAHABAD CITY

(WASTE WATER TREATMENT)

Proposed

Proposed

ETPs established and

proposed at Allahabad

STPs

Municipal Waste Water Status

Main Tapped Nalas

Ghaghar Nala: 42.5ML/D

Chachar Nala: 53.7ML/D

Morigate Nala: 38.7ML/D

Rajapur Nala: 52.1ML/D

Salori Nala: 21.0ML/D

Kodra Nala: 14.0ML/D

Ponghat Nala: 10.3ML/D

Total 232ML/D

Existing Sewage Treatment

Plants

Naini STP: 80 ML/D

Salori STP: 29 ML/D

Rajapur STP: 30 ML/D*

Kodra STP: 25 ML/D

Numayadahi STP: 50 ML/D

Ponghat STP: 10 ML/D

Total 224 ML/D

STPs Constructed under GAP I & II

Based on diffused aeration activated sludge process technology.

Naini STP – 60+20 mld

Disinfection facility in terms of

Chlorination has been provided.

Treated waster of Naini STP is

partially used for irrigation and

balance is discharged in

Ganga(D/s Sangam).

STPs Constructed under GAP I & II

Principled on Moving Bed Biological Reactor(MBBR)/(FAB) technology.

Disinfection in terms of

Chlorination has been provided

in reactor itself.

Treated water of Salori STP is

directly discharged in

Ganga(U/s Sangam).

Salori STP -29 mld

Rajapur STP Under Jnnurm Situated on the bank of river Ganga

in Mehdauri Kachhar.

Based on UASB + Aerated Lagoon

followed by Chlorination Technique.

30 mld has been made operational

before Kumbh Mela 2013.

Rajapur STP – 60 mld

Numaya Dahi STP Constructed Under NMCG Situated on the left bank of river Yamuna

about 7 km u/s of the city.

Based on high rate bio-filtration followed by

diffused aeration activated sludge process.

Chlorination through Chlorine Contact Tank.

Numayadahi STP – 50 mld

Ponghat STP Constructed Under NMCG Situated on the right bank of river Ganga in North – West

of city.

STP is based on high rate bio-filtration followed by diffused

aeration activated sludge process with Chlorination facility

for disinfection.

Made operational before Kumbh Mela 2013.

Ponghat STP -10 mld

Kodra STP Constructed Under NMCG

Situated on the right bank of river

Ganga in North – West of city.

Based on high rate bio-filtration

followed by diffused aeration activated

sludge process & chlorination for

disinfection.

Kodra STP -25 mld

Decentralized Sewerage Treatment in Allahabad

Compact Sewage Treatment plants

• Institutions- University, Engineering, Medical colleges

• Railway, Defense establishments

• Hotels(>20 beds), Banquets, Guest houses

Settling pit with oil/gas & ss removal arrangements

• Automobile Service Stations(2 wheeler, 4 wheeler)

!Progress: HRI, G.B. Pant So. Sc. Inst., Veer Automobiles!

Compelled in Future for Reuse/Reclamation!

Recommended Initiatives in AllahabadUnauthorized disposal of solid waste:

Prevented through river front and beutification project.

Wallowing of cattle:

1 km from the river bank should be declared as restrictive zone.

Tabella’s to be removed in phase wise from nearby areas.

To prevent washing of clothes:

Total number of 05 dhobi ghats are proposed.

Open defecation:

Total 143 community toilets are approved for the city.

Disposal of corpses:

Free cremation service thorough conventional wood

pyre/improved electronic crematoria.

Floral offerings:

Mass awareness.

Comment on Disinfection ! Secondary wastewater treatment techniques adopted under

River Action Plan are vastly ineffective in removing microbial

pollution. (Report Code: 023_GBP_IIT_EQP_ANL_01_Ver 1_June 2012)

The disinfection methods might generally be applied to the

treated sewage effluent which meets certain quality reqments

in terms of suspended solids, organic contents, etc.

Disinfection proves to be ineffective in sanitizing secondarily-

treated sewage effluent due to the presence and interference of

particle associated microorganisms in general, particle-

associated coliforms (PACs) in particular with the disinfection

process (Oliver and Cosgrove, 1975; Severin, 1980; Ho and Bohm, 1981; Qualls et al.,

1983; Darby et al., 1995; Emerick et al., 1999; 2000).

Chlorine dose applied is more than prescribed norm it is

harmful to aquatic flora and fauna.

Situation warrants adapting tertiary level of treatment

of wastewater

Waste Water Treatment Scheme

Process chain for waste water treatment

Stage I- Preliminary Treatment

Expected effluent quality after preliminary treatment:

No floating materials including polythene bags, small

pouches, etc.

Proper collection and disposal of screening and grit.

a) Three Stage Screening: -

- 25 mm bar racks (before pumping)

- 12 mm bar racks

- 5 mm mesh

b) Followed by Grit Camber

Stage II- Primary and/or SecondaryTreatmentThese options can be grouped into following three

categories:

A) Activated Sludge Process (ASP) and its Modifications,

Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR), UASB/TF followed

by ASP, ASP with Biological Nutrient Removal

(ASP+BNR) and Moving Bed Biological Reactor

(MBBR) or

B) Pond Based Systems i.e. Waste stabilization Ponds or

C) Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR)

Expected effluent quality after primary and secondary treatment:

BOD < 30 mg/L

SS < 20 mg/L

Stage III -Tertiary Treatment

o Coagulation-flocculation-settling followed by filtration

and disinfection is generally recommended.

o Multiple disinfection process in the treatment chain

may be adopted.

o Other processes could be selected on the basis of

land availability, cost considerations. However,

disinfection operation should invariably be included.

Exhibit 1: Conventional Activated Sludge Process

Merits

Good process flexibility

Reliable operation

Proven track record in all plant sizes

Less land requirements

Low odor emission

Energy production

Ability to withstand nominal

changes in water characteristics

Limitations

High energy consumption

Skilled operators needed

Uninterrupted power supply is

required

Requires sludge digestion and drying

Less nutrient removal

Exhibit 2: MBBR – Moving Bed Bio-Reactor

Merits

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor needs

less space since there is no primary

clarifier and detention period in reactor is

generally 4-5 h.

Ability to withstand shock load with

equalization tank option

High operator oversight is not required

Limitations

High operating cost due to large power requirements

Not much experience available with larger capacity plants

Skilled operators needed

No energy production

Effluent quality not up to the mark in India

Much less nutrient removal

Designed criteria not well established

Exhibit 3: SBR – Sequencing Batch Reactor

It is a fill-and-draw batch aerobic suspended

growth (Activated Sludge) process. After

screening and de-gritting, sewage is fed to the

batch reactor. Reactor operation takes place in

certain sequence in

cyclic order and in each cycle, following

operations are involved

Anoxic Filling tank

Aeration

Sedimentation/clarification

Decantation Sludge withdrawal

Merits

Excellent effluent quality

Smaller footprint because of absence of clarifiers and digester

Biological nutrient (N&P) removal

High degree of coliform removal

Less chlorine dosing required for post disinfection

Limitations

Comparatively high energy consumption

To achieve high efficiency, complete automation is required

Highly skilled operators needed

Uninterrupted power supply required

Exhibit 4: UASB followed by ASP

Merits

Relatively simple operation and

maintenance

No external energy requirement and

hence less vulnerable to power cuts

No primary treatment required

Energy production possible but generally

not achieved

Low sludge production

Limitations

Post treatment required to meet the effluent standard

Anoxic effluent exerts high oxygen demand

Large Land requirement

More man-power require for O&M

Effluent quality is not up to the mark and poor fecal and coliform

removal

Foul smell and corrosion problems around STP area

High chlorine dosing required for disinfection.

Less nutrient removal

Exhibit 5: Membrane Bio Reactor

Merits

Low hydraulic retention time and hence

low foot print (area) requirement

Less sludge production

High quality effluent in terms of low

turbidity, TSS, BOD and bacteria

Stabilized sludge

Ability to absorb shock loads

Limitations

High construction cost

Very high operation cost

Periodic cleaning and replacement of membranes

High membrane cost

High automation

Fouling of membrane

No energy production

Exhibit 6: Waste Stabilization Pond

Merits

Simple to construct and operate and maintain

Low operating and maintenance cost

Self sufficiency, ecological balance, and

economic viability is greater

Possible recovery of the complete resources

Good ability to withstand hydraulic and

organic load fluctuations

Limitations

Requires extremely large areas

Large evaporation loss of water

If liner is breached, groundwater is impacted

Effluent quality may vary with seasons

No energy production

Comparatively inferior quality of effluent

Less nutrient removal

High chlorine dosing for disinfection

Odor and vector nuisance

Exhibit 7: CW - Constructed Wetlands

Merits

Simple to construct and operate and

maintain

Low operating and maintenance cost

Self sufficiency, ecological balance, and

economic viability is greater

Possibility of complete resource recovery

Good ability to withstand hydraulic and

organic load fluctuations

Limitations

Requires large area

Large evaporation loss of water

Not easy to recover from massive upset

If liner is breached, groundwater is impacted

Effluent quality may vary with seasons

No energy production

No nutrient removal

Odor and vector nuisance

Loss of valuable greenhouse gases to the

atmosphere

Wetlands are shallow ponds comprising of submerged plants and

floating islands of marshy species.

Thick mats of vegetation trap suspend solids and biological

process takes place at the roots of the plants.

Wetland process have not yet established compared to other

processes.

Bottlenecks in Reclamation & Reuse Public health concerns

(i) Biological risks due to presence of microbial pathogens and

indicators like enteric bacteria, virus and protozoa and helminths.

(ii) Chemical risks due to presence of various emerging contaminants

like pharmaceutically-active compounds (PhAC), endocrine

disrupting compounds (EDC) and hormones.

Research is warranted on the potential public health impacts due to

the presence of microbial pathogens and emerging contaminants, if

any, in highly reclaimed wastewater before reuse.

Difficult to implement due to the large number of end users, the

vicinity to the public, relatively high cost due to complex

distribution and treatment systems as well as potential risks of

accidental public exposure in the case of cross-connections in dual

supply systems.

Possible Solutions : Reclamation, Reuse Separate distinct treatment chain should be adopted based on the

water quality requirements for each of the intended purpose ofwastewater reuse.

Highly reclaimed wastewater reuse schemes should be includedand promoted as an alternative source of water for non-potablenon-human contact uses (except food industry) : Landscapeirrigation, fire protection, air conditioning, toilet flushing,construction water & flushing of sanitary sewers.

Reclaimed water can be applied to wetlands for a variety of reasonsincluding recreation, restoration and enhancement of habitat

Irrigation with highly reclaimed water should be promoted in theentire Ganga Basin

Awareness campaign, workshops, conferences on the potentialbenefits of wastewater reuse should be conducted in order topromote wastewater reuse

Actual Fact!

“Water pollution has not been adequately addressed in

any policy in India, both, at the federal & provincial level”

(CAG Audit Report)

“ I think water and sanitation are not getting the attention

they deserve because they are not sexy! On the contrary,

satellites, computers, software and industrial growth are

sexy!”

(Dr Sam Pitroda)

Thank You