7.1 DECENTRALIZED SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM

• Lesser cost on sewage collection and maintenance of sewerage system.
• Cost effective technology.
• Utilization of treated sewage.
• Easy management of the wastewater due to it’s lesser volume.
• Involvement of people/builders/developers in the wastewater treatment and management.

• Prepare program for implementing this activity in collaboration with states and central agencies, including CPCB, the nodal agency for this sub-component.
• Collect information available at central/state levels on WQ data collection /sampling procedures and its standardisation
• Critically review the information collected with a view to identify which of the methods currently in use conform to internationally-acceptable methods and could be adopted as uniform methodologies throughout India.
• Standardise methods of preparing local/regional WQ maps showing different WQ parameters and develop uniform methodologies for calculating water quality parameters
• Develop any other design aids necessary as per the project requirements
• Consolidate all information on WQ standards that are being applied in India and internationally and recommend standards for each WQ parameter in collaboration with Water Quality Assessment Authority.
• Train staff at Central/State levels in the use of the recommended methodologies by organizing seminars/workshops
• Train trainers in the new methodologies
• Update the existing WQ data collection/monitoring manual and incorporate all new methodologies/procedures recommended. Procure any additional software necessary and train the Central/State staff in its use.

The water treatment plants functional in Delhi are Chandrawal (I & II), Wazirabad (I, II & III), Haiderpur (I & II), Bhagirathi, Nangloi and Okhla, which supply drinking water to various parts of Delhi. The raw water at these water treatment plants is generally subjected to common treatment process involving pre-chlorination, clariflocculation, filtration and post-chlorination supplied through distribution system. These processes clarify and improve the water quality by filtration, clarification and other processes.

Central Pollution Control Board has been conducting bi-monthly studies on water quality of raw water intake points of the above mentioned water treatment plants – chemically as well as biologically.

Physico-chemical Water Quality at Raw Water Intake

The physico-chemical water quality status and heavy metal residues in raw water are presented in Table 2. The analytical results of various physico-chemical parameters have been compared with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) (1991) – Drinking water desirable / permissible limits and it has been deduced that pH ranged between 7.55 to 8.17, TDS between 133.83 to 373.8 mg/l, Total hardness between 124 to 255.5 mg/l, Total alkalinity between 88 to 155 mg/l, Calcium between 29.4 to 57.6 mg/l, Chloride between 9.8 to 71 mg/l, Sulphate between 25.67 to 92 mg/l, Fluoride between 0.25 to 0.468 mg/l and Nitrate between 0.99 to 3.45 mg/l. These parameters confirms to BIS desirable limits for drinking water, however Total Dissolved Solids has been observed slightly exceeding the desirable limits of 500 mg/l at Okhla Water Works receiving raw water from Renny wells. The average COD ranged between 6.5 –24.17 mg/l, while BOD ranged between 1.32 – 2.8 mg/l. The average concentration levels of heavy metals (Table 3) viz. cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc were observed within the desirable limits. The concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb in raw water were Not traceable indicating the raw water quality confirms drinking water specifications.

Table 7.1: Water Treatment Plants in NCT - Delhi

Table 7.2: Physico-chemical characteristics of Raw water Source at various Water Works in NCT – Delhi

(January 2004 - December 2004)

Table 7.2 (Contd…): Physico-chemical characteristics of Raw water Source at various Water Works in NCT – Delhi

Table 7.3: Average Heavy Metal Residues in Raw water source at various Water Works in NCT – Delhi

(January 2004 - December 2004)

Biological Water Quality at Raw Water Intake Points

Central Pollution Control Board has also been (bimonthly) assessing the biological water quality, through benthic macro-invertebrates as bio indicators at raw water intake points of Wazirabad, Haiderpur and Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plants. Considering the general non-availability of natural substratum as well as its inaccessibility, the biological water quality is assessed through artificial substratum. The biological water quality prevalent at these location is presented in Table 4. At Wazirabad and Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plants, with River Yamuna as raw water source, the biological water quality has generally been observed with high saprobic score and low diversity, while at Western Yamuna Canal (tail distributary) at Haiderpur and in Upper Gang Canal at Bhagirathi, the raw water quality indicated moderate saprobic score and moderate to high diversity score.

Table 7.4: Annual (on bimonthly basis) Biological Water Quality at Raw Water Intake Points of Water Treatment Plants in Delhi (January – November, 2004)

7.4 ASSESSMENT OF POTABLE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS (WTPs)

1. biologically & chemically safe water;
2. water that is appealing to the consumer i.e. clear, colourless, pleasant to the taste, odourless, & cool; and
3. with reasonable capital and operating costs. For accomplishment of the objectives, the conventional water treatment scheme includes aeration, chemical addition or flash mixer, flocculation, sedimentation /clarifiers, filtration and disinfection. Besides, specific treatment units are required for control of parameters such as arsenic, fluoride etc. corresponding to raw water quality. Environmental concerns include recovery and safe disposal of sludge from clarifiers and filter backwash waters.

Studies include concerned facets of water treatment i.e., Raw water quality, General Water Treatment Sequence Treatment Unit Specific Observations, backwashing of filters, Chemical Consumption Operation & Maintenance of WTPS, Treated Water Quality, Specific Water Treatment Methods for Fluoride Effected Areas and Arsenic effected areas, etc.

Subsequently, these findings are summarised and placed in the Conference of the Chairman & Member Secretaries of the Pollution Control Boards and the Committees for their information and action. The recommendations for the studies are as below:

• Wherever, there is a possibility to have organic matter in the raw waters, BOD may also be analyzed, regularly. As discussed, whenever the concentrations are higher, specific treatments are required to be given other than pre-chlorination. In few instances, pre-chlorination was also practiced to overcome algae problem. This may be avoided as far as possible, because organic matters present in waters tends to form harmful Trihalomethanes (THMs). Use of chemicals such as Ozone, Copper sulphate, Potassium permanganate etc. may be explored, instead. While continuing the post chlorination for disinfection purpose, it may be ensured to avoid excess dosages.

• At many WTPs, alum-dosing equipment was found not working in many water treatment plants. It should be ensured that alum dosing equipment remains functional throughout the year and only requisite dose of alum is added, which shall be worked out through jar tests at set frequency.

• Recycling of filter backwash water after required organics separation may be endorsed for water conservation. As such, already some WTPs practice recycling.

• CPCB developed technology for recovery and re-use of the alum used for clarification, which is tested in laboratory and being examined for viability in pilot-scale. This technology may be explored for cost-optimization and to reduce the burden on safe disposal of sludge.

• Raw water quality (fluoride, arsenic etc.) specific treatment units are to be ensured and in case of chemical treatment, it is essential to ensure safe disposal of chemical sludge as per existing Rules and guidelines.

• As the wastes from WTPs are generally not meeting requirement of 30 mg/l BOD and 100 mg/l Suspended Solids. It is suggested that these should be treated and properly disposed. WTP authorities may take the consent from the State Pollution Control Boards / Committees to ensure safe disposal of WTP rejects.

• In many cases, chlorinators were not functioning at the time of visit resulting in excessive use of chlorine. This causes chlorine leakage and corrosion of WTP equipment and structures, therefore, a mechanism, similar to that of the boiler inspectors, may be required to ensure proper functioning of chlorinators.

• Adequate laboratory facilities with qualified analysts are essential to monitor and ensure desired water quality. There is a need to develop the database on formation of THMs and pesticides over the time for taking precautionary measures, at least at major water treatment facilities.

• Proper training to the operators of WTPs is required to be provided. Besides, inventory of spares is required to be maintained to avoid inordinate delays in repairing of plant equipment and database on operation & maintenance of WTPS should be prepared and shared with others.

• Since present treated water quality standards are only recommendatory, it may be appropriate to establish Safe Drinking Water Authority to establish enforceable water quality standards, lay down procedures for operation and maintenance of WTPs and for monitoring of water quality at different points in WTPs as well as at end points of the distribution system.

• State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees, inaccordance to the function laid down under the Section 17(f) of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 may inspect the water treatment plants/Works on regular interval.

7.5 REMOVAL OF HEAVY METAL IONS FROM WASTEWATER BY TREATMENT WITH BIOSORBENT

Biosorption is the passive accumulation technique used for removal of heavy metal from wastewater through physical/chemical adsorption, ion exchange, complexatory chelation and micro-precipitation. The various adsorbent like Sawdust, Patkat, straw, various bacteria, fungi and mixed flora will be tried for experimentation to select ideal biosorbent at specific temperature and duration. The biosorption process is economical technique for bioremediation of metals bearing waste, however, efficacy of selected biosorbent depends on various allied factors.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland Management, Kolkata (Previously Institute of Wetland Management and Ecological Design - IWMED) and Indian Association for Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. The major objectives of the project are as below:

• To study removal of arsenic from water by biosorption process.

• Efficacy of various biosorption materials for removal of various heavy metals viz. Mercury, copper, cadmium, chromium, lead etc. for wastewater.

• To develop economically feasible effluent treatment option by biosorption.

During the period of study various biosorbents viz. Rice husk, jute stick powder, water hyacinth, bagasse, jack fruit seed and leaf and husk of Lathyrus sativus were used to evaluate their efficacy in removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions in laboratory conditions. The husk of Lathynus sativus has been found active biosorbent with absorption of nickel to the extent of 91% and cadmium upto 98% from aqueous solutions.

7.6 STACK EMISSION MONITORING OF INCINERATORS INSTALLED AT ARMY R & R HOSPITAL AND BASE HOSPITAL IN DELHI

In order to check the compliance of emission standards stipulated in the Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, CPCB carried out stack emission monitoring of incinerators installed at Army R & R Hospital and Base Hospital in Delhi during September 20-21, 2004. The analysis report along with recommendations were sent to these hospitals.

7.7 DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDIZATION OF METHODOLOGY FOR ANALYSIS OF TRIHALOMETHANES (THM’S) IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

The halomethanes include all one carbon compounds with substituted chlorine or bromine. Halogenated hydrocarbons are formed as a result of using chlorine as a disinfectant in the water treatment process. Trihalomethanes (THM’s) occur in drinking water principally as a product of reaction of chlorine with naturally occurring material and bromide that may also be present. Occurrence of natural organic matter such as humic acid and fulvic acid in water are mainly responsible for the formation of these disinfection by product (DBP’s). With respect to drinking water contamination, four members of THM’s viz. chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform are important. World Health Organisation (WHO, 1993) has already enacted the health related guidelines values in drinking water.

In order to standardization of measurement methodology and regularly monitor the presence of these compounds in drinking water, the infrastructure facilities have been developed and streamlined at CPCB Laboratories.

At initial stage, raw and finished water samples were collected from various water treatment plants at Delhi and analyzed for Trihalomethane level. Data generated under the study are being compiled.

7.8 CHARACTERIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT FOR ADSORBABLE ORGANIC HALOGEN (AOX) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES

Chemical compounds often are a major cause of environmental pollution. One of the most threatening groups of chemical compounds is formed by the organic halogens. This group consists of more than 250 individual chemical compounds viz. PCB’s, pesticides, Trihalomethanes (THM’s) and several other chloro bromo compounds. Some of the organic halogen compounds are highly toxic, carcinogenic, bio-accumulative and persistent. Monitoring of AOX compound as environmental parameters are therefore of paramount importance in various confirmed, suspected sources and industries with the objectives to generate base line data of AOX.

To assess the status of AOX concentration in various industrial effluent i.e. wastewater of paint & varnish manufacturing units, wastewater samples were collected from randomly identified six paints and varnish manufacturing units located at West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and the effluent samples were subjected to analysis of AOX. The analysis data of AOX in the Paints & Varnish industrial effluent samples being compiled.

7.9 STANDARDIZATION OF ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY FOR POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCB’S)

The sample extraction procedure, extract cleanup (removal of co-extracted interfering compounds) and GC-MS operating conditions were optimized for analysis of 28 selected congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) in surface water, wastewater, sludge and soil samples.

Water and sludge samples were collected from Delhi stretch of river Yamuna from five locations and five major drains analysed for Total PCB’s utilizing standardized methodology. Total concentration of the PCB congeners analysed were ranging between 2.67 ng/L to 18.78 ng/L in river water, between 0.55 ng/g to 8.70 ng/g in river sludges and between 0.05 ng/g to 25.62 ng/g in wastewater Drain sludge samples. PCB’s were found Not Detectable in wastewater samples collected from other four major drains.

7.10 DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES FOR POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZO-PARA-DIOXINS (PCDD’s) AND POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS (PCDF’s)

Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are environmental contaminants, usually present in diverse environmental matrices.

75 PCDDs and 135 PCDFs congeners have been reported till date among which 7 PCDDs and 10 PCDFs are internationally identified having considerable Toxicity. Concentrations of these ultra-trace compounds in environmental matrices may vary from sub-ppt (parts per trillion) and may reach upto ppm (parts per million) level. There exist no laboratory in the country, which is having exhaustive facilities for analysis of PCDDs and PCDFs in environmental matrices. Therefore, the project is undertaken with following major objectives:

• Development of infrastructure facilities for measurement of Dioxins / Furans.

• Development/validation of standard methodology for sample extraction, cleanup and analysis of identified Dioxins/Furans species in temperate environmental conditions, once the infrastructure facilities is developed.

The Central Pollution Control Board has collated various information about Dioxin and Furan, their environmental status and published in `PARIVESH’ Newsletter "Dioxin (PCDD) and Furan (PCDF) – Persistent Organic Pollutants".

The Dioxin Expert, Mr. Bernd Schilling from ERGO Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg, Germany under GTZ-ASEM Programme has visited CPCB Laboratories between 14^th to 21^st January, 2005 to provide expert input in development of infrastructure facilities for measurement of Hazardous Organic Compounds Dioxin & Furan. The presentation on Dioxin analysis discussing various analysis requirements have been made by the visiting expert.

7.11 DEVELOPMENT OF METAL STANDARDS

7.12 INVESTIGATION OF SOURCE OF HEAVY METALS IN BEVERAGE PLANTS

Table 7.5: BSOF and PM₁₀ Levels at Vikas Nagar Station, Kanpur

1. Andhra Pradesh State Pollution Control Board
2. Chhattisgarh State Pollution Control Board
3. Gujarat State Pollution Control Board
4. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
5. Kerala State Pollution Control Board
6. Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board
7. Madhya Pradesh State Pollution Control Board
8. Punjab State Pollution Control Board
9. Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board
10. West Bengal State Pollution Control Board
11. Central Pollution Control Board, HQs Laboratory
12. Central Pollution Control Board – Zonal Office - Kolkata
13. Central Pollution Control Board - Zonal Office - Vadodara
14. Central Pollution Control Board – Zonal Office - Lucknow
15. Central Pollution Control Board – Zonal Office - Bangalore

Project Proposals for Strengthening of Laboratories

The State Pollution Control Boards has submitted project proposal for financial assistance for strengthening of their Central / Zonal / Regional laboratories. The proposals have been reviewed and suggestions provided to strengthen various SPCB Laboratories as below:

• Assam State Pollution Control Board
• Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board
• Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board
• Orissa State Pollution Control Board
• Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board

7.16 PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENTS FOR CPCB LABORATORIES UNDER JAPANESE DEBT RELIEF GRANT ASSISTANCE PROJECT

The Central Pollution Control Board has been allocated the amount of US$ 10.75 Lakh (Rs.4.84 crores) under Japanese Debt Relief Grant Assistance for procurement of various equipments by Department of Economic Affairs. CPCB has undertaken MOU with NTPC Consultancy Wing, Noida for various procurement procedures through International Bidding.

The Technical Committee was constituted at CPCB for finalization of Technical specifications of equipment to be procured. The Technical Committee has finalized the technical specifications and these have been included in Bid Documents. The equipments identified under Japanese Debt Relief Grant Assistance Project have been tendered through Duual bid process (Techno-commercial + financial bids) by Consultancy Wing of National Thermal Power Corporation, Noida.

7.17 FOLLOW UP ON NABL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION OF CPCB LABORATORIES

The follow up continued further for NABL Accreditation of Central Pollution Control Board laboratories by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi. As a part of implementation of Quality Assurance System as per ISO 17025 at Central Pollution Control Board Laboratories, the following activities have been undertaken:

• Periodical review of activities in Laboratory Incharges / general meetings organized from time to time.

• Internal quality audit conducted during August 9-10, 2004 as per ISO/IEC 17025 of the HQs laboratories.

• Verification of corrective actions taken on NC’s observed during Internal Audit.

• Surveillance Audit were conducted by the assessor from NABL at HQs laboratories during December, 20-21, 2004.

• Fourth Management Review meeting was held on 14.3.2005 related with NABL Accreditation System.

7.18 LABORATORY ACCREDITATION OF CPCB ZONAL OFFICE KANPUR LABORATORY

The Central Pollution Control Board Zonal Office – Kanpur Laboratory was accredited by NABL for scope of total 29 parameters. The Accreditation was awarded by NABL for Chemical and Biological field.

The following activities were undertaken by CPCB ZO-Kanpur laboratory for achieving the NABL Accreditation:

• Restructuring the laboratory by designating specific activities
• Documentation of Quality Manual, Procedures and other Quality Records
• Execution of Adequacy Audit by NABL
• Introducing multi layer system of Management, Supervision and Quality checks
• Stress on Calibration of Instruments and Equipments with tracability to national standards
• Strict emphasis on purity of chemicals
• Preparation of primary reagents using Certified Reference Chemicals
• Execution of Series of Internal Audit
• Participation in Inter-Lab comparison and Proficiency Testing
• Preliminary Assessment by lead assessor of NABL
• Final Assessment by team of NABL Auditors
• Award of Accreditation

7.19 REVERSE OSMOSIS/NANO FILTRATION SYSTEMS ALONG WITH EVAPORATOR SYSTEMS IN TEXTILE SECTOR

Large and medium scale dyeing units located in Tirupur-Karur region have been identified to install reverse osmosis and nano filtration system by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for achieving zero discharge concept employing forced evaporation system such as Multi Effect Evaporator (MEE) for rejects. The units which have provided such systems were monitored in details in order to assess the adequacy of the entire treatment system provided by the units. A total of 8 such effluent treatment plants were monitored by CPCB South Zonal Office, Bangalore. It has been observed the reverse osmosis and nano filtration systems are able to address the issue of reduction of total dissolved solids subject to rejects generated are managed properly. Since the permeate is recycled back to process as pure water in case of reverse osmosis and brine solution in case of nano filtration system, thus, fits to the economical viability consideration, as such cost benefit ratio satisfied the entrepreneurs.

7.20 PERFORMANCE OF THE CPCB LABORATORY PARTICIPATED IN INTER-LABORATORY PROFICIENCY TESTING (PT) PROGRAMME" CONDUCTED UNDER UN-GEMS/WATER PROGRAMME

Under United Nations GEMS (Global Environment Monitoring System) Water programme, an inter-laboratory proficiency (PT) programme was conducted by GEMS authority during February, 2004. A set of QC (Quality Control) samples of water quality parameters (as depicted in Table 7.6) was received through Analytical Products Group Inc. (APG), USA, and an accredited laboratory by National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST), a proficiency testing provider. This QC samples carrying the known values were meant for practicing the analysis of the required parameters prior to take up actual unknown set of PE (Performance Evaluation) samples covering the same set of parameters. The QC and PE samples were analyzed and reported to GEMS authority during February, 2004 and the report was received during July, 2004.

The salient features of the performance of laboratories based on the PE (Performance Evaluation) samples are given below:

All the 19 parameters reported were found as qualified under PT programme. The performance of the various parameters is given in Table 7.6.

Table 7.6: Parameters covered under GEMS/Water PT programme and relative performance of CPCB Laboratories

Out of 19 parameters, 3 parameters i.e. Ammonical Nitrogen, COD and Chloride were assessed as "Excellent" category; Magnesium and NO₃-N were "Good" category. Hardness, BOD, TDS, Alkalinity, Potassium, Total Phosphate, Orthophosphate, Conductivity, Sulphate, TOC and pH were under "Satisfactory" category. The remaining 3 parameters i.e. TKN, Calcium and Sodium were assessed as "Point of Concern" (just marginally qualified). No parameter is marked as Point of Immediate Concern category, which is considered as not qualified.

It is to mention that the performance among the various participated laboratories for various parameters, according to ranking, CPCB laboratory was assessed as Rank # 1 in the case of COD. Similarly in case of Ammonical Nitrogen, Magnesium and Chloride, these were # 2, 4 and 6 respectively.

7.21 PARTICIPATION OF CPCB LABORATORIES IN INTERNATIONAL PROFICIENCY TESTING (PT) PROGRAMME CONDUCTED BY NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, USA

In order to ensure analytical quality, the CPCB laboratories at HQs, Zonal Office – Kolkata and Zonal Office Kanpur have participated in Proficiency Testing Programme organized by Environmental Laboratory Approval Programme words Worth Centre, New York State Dept. of Healths Albery New York for PT samples related with potable water Chemistry, Non Potable Water Chemistry, Solid and Hazardous Waste, Water Bacteriology.

The Proficiency test results received from New York State Dept. of Health are depicted in Table 7.7.

Table 7.7 International Proficiency Testing Programme Results

7.22 PROFICIENCY TESTING (PT) PROGRAMME CONDUCTED BY CPCB FOR NABL ACCREDITED LABORATORIES

The main objectives of this PT programme are

• To assess the status of analytical competence of participating laboratories in view of Laboratory accreditation.

• To identify the serious constraints (random & systematic) in the working environment of laboratories.

• To promote the scientific and analytical competence of the concerned laboratories to the level of excellence for better output.

The parameters covered under this PT programme are: Conductivity, Total Hardness, Fluoride, Nitrate – N and Iron – Total The results received from 62 participating laboratories have been statistically processed for:-

Minimum, Maximum, Mean, Standard Deviation (SD), Coefficient of Variation (CV %), Quartile – 1, Median, Quartile – 3, Inter Quartile Range (IQR), Normalized Inter Quartile Range (NIQR), Z – score between laboratories (ZB) and Z – score within the laboratory (ZW)

The performance of the laboratories under this PT programme has been reported to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

7.23 GROUND WATER REMEDIATION

The Groundwater Remediation project being executed at Kanpur in collaboration with ITRC-Lucknow, National Geophysical Research Institute and IIT-Kanpur. The project activities include following major activities.

• Ground survey & contouring
• Preparation of Digital Base-Map
• Geo-physical Investigation for sub-surface hydrogeology
• Inventorisation of groundwater use
• Vertical distribution of chromium
• Detailed investigation for aquifer characterization in terms of 24 parameters in a network of 126 locations
• Profiling of depth to water table at 32 locations

Fig. 7.1 Project Area Base Map

The project study during first year generate conceptual model for pollutant transport that shall be further utilized in tracking the movement of hexavalent chromium and ultimately develop the remediation strategy. The ground water quality status with respect to total and hexavalent Chromium, pH, TDS and Fluoride.

Fig. 7.2 Spatial distribution of 126 groundwater samples of the project area

Fig. 7.3 Status of Hexavalent Chromium and Total Chromium in Ground Water Location

Fig. 7.4 Status of pH of Ground Water in Project Area

Fig. 7.5 Status of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Ground Water in Project Area

Fig. 7.6 Status of Fluoride in Ground Water in Project Area

Apart from several remedial options the project envisages to evaluate Bio-Remediation as an option to chemically transform the hexavalent chromium to relatively innocuous trivalent state followed by its immobilization to restrict further magnification

7.24 MONITORING GROUND WATER QUALITY IN NCT - DELHI

Delhi, the Capital of India covers an area of about 1483 sq km and having a population around 105 lakh. Due more and more urbanization and other related anthropogenic activities, the ground water sources are depleting in terms of quantity and quality.

A study on the groundwater quality of Delhi NCT was carried out covering 254 locations in six blocks during April to July, 2004. This monitoring was carried out after the earlier study carried out in 1998 with a main objective to find out the status and trend of ground water quality in Delhi. Samples were analyzed for various physico-chemical (including Heavy metals and pesticides) and bacteriological parameters. The parameters like Total Dissolved solids, Hardness, Nitrate, Fluoride, Coliforms and iron are found significantly exceeding the drinking water standards prescribed by BIS (IS 10500: 1991)

7.25 A COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON METHODOLOGY OF ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

Hazardous waste can be defined as "Chemical or biological refuse of industrial or consumer origin, considered potentially dangerous to human and/or the environment. As per the Schdule-4 of the, Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, one of duties assigned to CPCB is to recommend procedures for characterization of Hazardous waste.

Many test procedures of Corrosivity, Reactivity, Ignitability, Toxicity are available for characterization of Hazardous Waste substances. One such test procedure is the Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP). As per US-EPA method, the solid waste is leached using two levels of pH buffers i.e. 4.93 + 0.2 and 2.88 + 0.2 depending upon the chemical nature of samples. TCLP followed in USA and Canada is different in terms of procedure and standards whereas in Europe, they do not include TCLP as part of regulation on hazardous waste Management. Other method popularly followed in European counties is Constant pH ( pH Stat: say 4.0) Extraction method. Some countries follow using distilled water extraction procedure. The composition and levels of leaching substances vary from method to method and thereby the interpretation with reference to standard limits also varies considerably. Though no method could able to match with real field situation, a judicial approach has to be made to derive a better choice of method.

Keeping these facts in view, a project study has been taken up and carried out the sampling and analysis of various types of samples from units like Tannery, Pharmaceutical, Electroplating, and CETP waste for deriving better choice of method in light of Hazardous Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2000. The main objectives of the study are:

During the year 2004-05, solid waste sample from a CETP (Common Effluent Treatment Plant) Wazirpur industrial estate, Delhi has been collected, homogenized, extracted under various extraction procedures like US-EPA - TCLP, European Constant pH Stat method, and Water Extraction and analysed for metals. In addition, the Total metal contents of the sample were also analyzed for comparison purpose.

7.26 SLUDGE REAGENT PRODUCT (SRP) – AN ANNOVATIVE PROCESS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT – FLOCCULATION STUDY AND SETTING UP OF PILOT PLANT AT BHAGIRATHI WATER WORKS - DELHI

The Treatment of water and wastewater by using SRP- Technology "is a new and renovated technology by which the alum (aluminum sulphate) which is used in water treatment plant could be recovered to the tune of 80 to 90 % and reused in the same treatment process. In this technology, alum could be recovered from discarded sludge of water treatment plant. By adopting this technology operation cost could be reduced nearly 60% .The sludge discharge would be only 0.05 to 1 % by this technology in comparison to normal conventional technology, which generates 10 to 20 % alum contaminated sludge i.e. disposed of to water bodies. The objectives of the project are as below.

• Development of a new treatment technology to recover and reuse of alum (coagulants) used in water and wastewater treatment process.

• Reduction of generation alum contaminated sludge.

• Recovery of raw water from disposed sludge.

Laboratory experimental works related to Part- I of this project (Treatment of Water using SRP Technology) is completed and a Laboratory – scale working model plant was developed based on SRP Technology. A patent was filed on with provisional patent No 535/DEL/2001, for this new technology. The approval for installation of pilot treatment plant based on SRP technology at Bhagirathi water work, Gokulpuri, Delhi was taken from Delhi Jal Board. The construction and operation of pilot plant is under progress.

The Laboratory experiment work related to Part- II of this project (Treatment of Wastewater using SRP Technology) is partially completed. The further improvement of this technology is under progress.

7.27 AIR MICROFLORA IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

The indoor and outdoor environment were monitored in the project study. The petriplates containing various types of nutrient substratum viz. Nutrient agar (NA), Potato Dextrose agar (PDA). Total count agar (TCA) and Mc Conkey’s agar (McA) were exposed in indoor and outdoor air for a defined period, incubated for development of microbial colonies and enumerated as Colony Forming Unit (CFU/plate) after the incubation period.

Outdoor Microflora

In the outdoor environment of dense traffic intersection highest number of all types of microorganisms were observed during February (Bacteria- 234CFU/plate, Fungi 20 CFU/plate, General Nricrobes-162 CFU/plate and Pathogenic population 18 CFU/plate). While lowest bacterial population (35 CFU/plate) was observed during July. The least fungal count (5 CFU/plate) was observed in the month of April. The lowest number of general microbial population (29 CFU/plate) was observed in July and lowest pathogenic count 13 CFU/plate was observed during May.

Indoor Microflora

The highest bacterial population (54 CFU/plate) was observed in April, while least bacterial count was observed in Oct. The fungal population was found highest in April (16 CFU/ plate), while the count in November was lowest (3 CFU/plate). The general microflora was at their highest in June (67 CFU/plate) and lowest in Oct. (10 CFU/plate). The pathogenic population recorded highest during April (10 CFU/ plate while lowest in July and Feb. (3 CFU/plate in each month).

Fig. 7.8 : Average Microbial Population in Indoor Environment

7.28 DETOXIFICATION OF TOXIC INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS - PAPER AND PULP MILL EFFLUENTS

Toxic industrial effluents pose a great threat to aquatic plants and animal life and also to the health of humans. The pulp and paper mill effluent is being characterized by its high COD and a very high content of slightly biodegradable colored compounds, lignin and tannic acid. A lab-scale investigation was carried out to remove the toxicity of paper and pulp mill effluent, toxicity in terms of high COD and huge quantity of coloring bodies viz lignin and tannin. Ten different treatment technologies were studied and experimented. The treatment technologies comprised of conventional treatment methods, alum treatment, FeCl₃ treatment, lime treatment, sodium hypochlorite treatment, whereas modern treatment technologies include, H₂O₂ treatment, Poly-aluminium chloride (PAC) treatment, Poly-acrylic acid (PAA) treatment, Activated carbon and ferric alum treatment combination treatment and the advanced treatment technologies include Fenton’s Reagent and Ozonation.

The study has been undertaken using different technologies on three experimental sets A, B, C differing in their lignin and tannin concentration viz, Set-A (125 mg/l lignin and tannin); set-B (500 mg/l lignin and tannin); Set-C (1000 mg/l lignin and tannin). The three experimental sets were artificially prepared for dose optimization of various coagulants/ adsorbents/ oxidants before investigating the optimized dose for there treatment efficiency on the actual sample.

Of all the treatment methods being experimented, ozonation have been observed an effective technology and a promising technique. The percentage reduction (Fig. 7.9) in the physico-chemical characteristics of paper mill effluent by applying the ozonation technique is presented in Table 7.8. Further studies are in progress before establishing ozonation, a new-age technique for treating paper mill effluent.

Fig. 7.9 : Percentage Reduction in Physical Characteristics of Paper Mill Effluent with 75 min. Ozonation

Fig. 7.10 : Percentage Reduction in Chemical Characteristics of Paper Mill Effluent with 75 min. Ozonation