River Pollution - Sumit Singla - Xlri

Helping India’s Rivers Survive

SITUATION

•75-80% pollution due to raw domestic sewage •20-25% pollution due to industrial effluents •Level of organic and inorganic pollutants ranges from 20 to 1000 times prescribed levels •10,000 children die daily due to contaminated river water •Social, economic and cultural/religious reasons contribute to pollution •Existing action plans – massive failures

PLAN OVERVIEW

Small state-of-the-art rapid action sewage treatment plants at each city on river bank Small diverted channels for rivers of religious significance – water to be treated before merging back with main channel

Use of non-ionizing radiation to remove heavy metals and to oxidize organic matter during pollution ‘peak’ times Creation of bamboo plantations to utilise ‘sludge’ and absorb heavy metals from industries

Creation of recreational facilities nearby to generate revenue

MEASURES

•Rapid acting air flotation tanks to churn sewage and oxidize organic matter •Use of non-ionizing radiation to oxidise heavy metals and organic matter

•Separating bathing ‘ghats’ for rivers like Ganga by creating diversions •Treating the polluted water containing ash, flowers, and other organic matter before mixing it back with river water

Creation of bamboo plantations near river basins – to absorb heavy metals and break down organic matter

MEASURES

Spreading awareness about pollution and introducing strict legislation against it

Using ‘skimmers’ to remove floating waste from river surface

Use of GPS-tracked robofish (like at the Thames) to track high-pollution areas for faster action

BENEFITS

Better supply of drinking and irrigation water to cities

Opportunities to provide employment through fisheries and bamboo plantations

More revenue through tourism on cleaner rivers and recreational parks

Bio-power generation through plants to convert sludge to

CHALLENGES

Initial capital investment – very high

Sustainable, but only with support of all stakeholders – citizens, government and corporates

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”