Date:31/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/31/stories/2006123113070500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Spotlight on decentralised water treatment system

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Central Pollution Control Board and the Union Environment Ministry are encouraging industries and other sectors to go for decentralised water treatment system (DEWATS) wherever it is suitable, D.C. Sharma, Additional Director and Zonal Officer, Central Pollution Control Board, has said.

He was speaking at a seminar on "Decentralised Waste water treatment systems and Rainwater Harvesting" organised by the Foundation for Educational Innovations in Asia (FEDINA) and the Rural Literacy and Health Programme (RLHP), Mysore, here on Saturday. It was cost-effective and also help in preventing pollution of land and water bodies.

Dr. Sharma said the National Environment Policy promoted the use of technology such as DEWATS and the policy action plan suggested that there should be public-private partnership for implementing such projects.

"The State Pollution Control Board should prevail upon city and municipal corporations, industries and relevant sectors to use DEWATS to their advantage. Through enforcement, the board can make sure that instead of using the conventional waste water treatment system, municipal corporations and industries opt for the new technology if it is appropriate for them." M.D. Simha, Member Secretary, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, said the board would ask builders to opt for DEWATS while constructing apartment complexes and would enforce it in industries.