Policy Paper on Septage Management in India

May 10, 2011

This document from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is to assist the Ministry of Urban Development, Govt of India in the preparation of policy guidelines for Septage Management. CSE has been recognised by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) as a Centre of Excellence in the area of sustainable Water management. This document on septage management is draft providing the strategies and guidelines for the preparation of National level septage management policy paper. This paper is presented in five chapters.

With fast growing economy and urban population, the waste generation is steeply increasing in India. Due to paucity of resources, the local bodies, which are responsible for management of wastes, are not able to provide this service effectively. According to Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) study, out of 38254 MLD of sewage generated in India, the treatment facilities are available for 30% (11787MLD). The indiscriminate disposal of domestic wastewater is the main reason for degradation of water quality in urban areas, with negative impacts on health, the economy, and the environment. Major part of urban India is yet to be connected to the municipal sewer system and the people are mainly dependent on the conventional individual septic tanks. It is estimated that about 29% of the India’s population uses septic tanks (USAID ,2010).

The policy paper can also be viewed at the website of Ministry of Urban Development under National Urban Sanitation Policy.