Faecal coliform contamination found to be significantly higher in rivers around holy sites

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that river stretches around holy sites are relatively more polluted than elsewhere, with significantly higher levels of faecal coliform contamination. The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is found to have faecal coliform five to 13 times more than the permissible limit. While 50 percent of the stations monitored did not meet expected standards in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar fared even worse with 88 percent monitoring stations failing to meet the required standards.

UP government to install digital water metres to monitor usage in commercial establishments

In a bid to check water wastage, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to install digital water metres in all commercial establishments to monitor usage. Water supply management wings of municipal corporations across the state will be responsible for metre installation and for fixing charges for piped water supply. The system will be piloted in Agra city and is expected to be rolled out from the 2018-19 financial year. 

Bio-toilet developed by scientists at IIT-Kharagpur recycles water for longtime use

Researchers at the civil engineering department in the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur have developed a self-sustainable bio-toilet capable of recycling water. After the initial fill of 500 litres in the flush tank, the toilet recycles used water with the help of microbial fuel cell reactors which clean the water before being sent back up again to the tank. This is expected to last a family of five for a minimum of 15 years.

Maharashtra to soon launch real-time monitoring of sewage treatment plants in housing societies

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board is looking to launch a technology to monitor the functioning of sewage treatment plants in large housing societies on a real-time basis. This would apply to societies with built-up areas of over two lakh sq ft as environment clearances are given to such projects on the condition that solid waste is processed in-house. A Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) is expected to be in place to facilitate online monitoring. 

Groundwater levels go up where local ponds were revived in Kerala

With water scarcity stalking many towns and villages, experts feel there is an urgent need to put water conservation initiatives in place across Kerala. The large-scale water conservation ‘Ente Kulam’ project undertaken by the Ernakulam district administration which looks at reviving smaller ponds has entered its third phase. Official data accumulated so far have indicated an increase in groundwater levels in areas where ponds have been revived. 

This a roundup of news published between March 27 and April 2, 2018. Also, read policy matters this week.