Some 500 million people live in the Ganga River Basin, many of whom have no sanitary facilities. This is not only embarrassing, but also presents a security threat to women and girls in particular, and contributes to girl children dropping out of basic schooling due to lack of toilets. At the same time, populations are forced to use the Ganga as a toilet out of necessity, fouling Her waters and potentially spreading disease.
Additionally, each day billion of liters of sewage is dumped directly into Ganga, wreaking havoc on Ganga’s natural ecosystem and affecting the millions of people who depend on Ganga for all their water needs.
What GAP is Doing
Bio-Digester Toilet Technology
Working hand-in-hand with local populations, Ganga Action Parivar alongside BHEL, FICCI, and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance to provide zero-waste, “bio-digester” toilets in public spaces, villages and other locations throughout the Ganga River Basin. These toilets will not only help keep our National River clean, but will provide safe and healthy fertilizer for organic crops, water for irrigation and methane gas that can power entire villages.
The Bio Digester Technology was developed by DRDO, using a harmless, anaerobic, bacterial process which naturally dissolves all waste, leaving a clear, odourless and virtually pathogen-free water which can be used for irrigation. The project ensures a product which is helpful for the population but also supports and protects the natural environment.
From Sewage Point to Selfie Point: Physico-Chemical Remediation Treatment Systems using Geotube Technology
Ganga Action Parivar, alongside Parmarth Niketan and technology partners Flexituff International Limited & Ingeo Contractor Private Ltd Projects, has installed innovative, simple and effective Physico-Chemical Remediation Treatment Systems using Geotube Technology to remedy sewage entering the Ganga at Chandrabhaga Nala in Rishikesh and Kukrail Nala in Lucknow.
The in-situ technology first chemically coagulates the solid from the liquid part of the wastewater directly at the nala (the source of the wastewater where it enters the river), then pumps the water through large Geotube membranes that further trap the solid waste and sludge treating the water to some 80-90% and significantly reducing fecal coliform counts (to 500 per 100 ml, from the current 50,000 per 100 ml).
Click here and here to see more about these systems in Rishikesh and Lucknow!