Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Namami Gange Program
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea: The article discusses the results of an analysis of the sludge found in Indian sewage treatment plants (STP) that were set up to treat polluted water from the Ganga under National Mission for Clean Ganga.
About National Mission for Clean Ganga
| Description | |
| Launch | 2014 |
| Aim | Cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga river |
| Interventions | Development of sewage treatment infrastructure, riverfront development, and public awareness campaigns |
| Approach | River basin approach, identifying pollution hotspots and implementing targeted interventions |
| Implementing Agency | NMCG |
| Responsibilities | Coordinating efforts across stakeholders, including state governments, municipalities, and civil society organizations |
| Objective | Improve water quality and ensure ecological and socio-economic sustainability of the Ganga river |
Sludge classification
- India doesn’t yet have standards classifying sludge as class A or B.
- Treated sludge can be classified as class A or class B, as per the standards of the United States Environment Protection Agency.
- Class A sludge: It is safe to be disposed of in the open and useful as organic fertilizer.
- Class B sludge: It can be used in restricted agricultural applications, with the edible parts of the crop not exposed to the sludge-mixed soil, and animals and people not come into extensive contact.
Current sludge disposal practices
- Currently, those awarded contracts for developing and maintaining STPs under the Namami Ganga Mission are also apportioned land for disposing off sludge.
- However, the sludge is rarely treated, and during rains, it often makes its way back into rivers and local water sources.
Study’s findings
- The sludge analysed after drying fell into the class B category.
- Nitrogen and phosphorus levels were higher than those recommended by India’s fertilizer standards, but potassium levels of some sludges were less than recommended.
- The degree of pathogens, as well as heavy metal contamination, was above the recommended fertilizer standards.
- The calorific value of sludge ranged from 1,000-3,500 kcal/kg, which is lower than the average calorific value of Indian coal.
Recommendations to improve sludge quality
- The report recommends storing the sludge for at least three months to kill pathogens and blending it with cattle manure and husk or local soil to reduce heavy metal.
- However, this would still put it in class B, and converting it into grade A sludge would require far more extensive treatment.
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