Page 4 - Discussion Paper on Faecal Sludge Management in Urban India
P. 4
Discussion Paper
BOX 1: KEY ASPECTS OF ODISHA URBAN SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES, 2016
The Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, intends to put in place a
set of operative guidelines for ULBs that will formalize and provide a framework for safe handling
of septage in the entire sanitation delivery chain (containment, emptying, transport, treatment, and
disposal/reuse) and aims to achieve the goals of Odisha Urban Sanitation Strategy, 2011.
These guidelines conform to the advisory note on septage management developed by Ministry of
Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India, and the guidelines on design and construction
of septic tanks issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Central Public Health and
Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO). Further, these guidelines are intended to
strengthen the existing framework focussed on implementing the provisions of the Prohibition of
Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, in the state of Odisha.
The operational procedures outlined in these guidelines are applicable to all urban local bodies
(ULBs) of Odisha and covers the following areas:
Framework on septic tanks, including standard design and construction;
Adoption of desludging procedure for the septage generated;
Safe transportation of septage from collection point to receiving facility;
Technological intervention for proper treatment of septage, disposal, and re-use;
Public awareness
The guidelines framed by the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha have now
made it compulsory for all households to construct septic tanks and stop the sludge from letting
out into municipal drains. The rules direct house owners to contact only civic body officials or other
registered sanitary agencies to clear out the septic tanks and strictly keep away from engaging
manual scavengers.
The SBM (Urban) Guidelines 2014 also specifically tank is prescribed by National Building Code
mention that wherever toilets cannot be (NBC)12 2005, and Central Public Health and
connected to sewer systems, “in addition to the Environmental Engineering Organization
construction of the toilet superstructure, an on- (CPHEEO) 2013 referenced from Indian Standard
site treatment system (such as twin pits, septic Codes (IS code 2470, 1985, Part-1 and IS 9872,
tanks, bio-digesters, or bio-tanks) should also 1981). These standards have been incorporated in
be constructed for the collection, treatment, city-level development regulations and the ULBs
and/or disposal of sewage at or near the point are responsible for enforcing these regulations.
of generation.”11 Also, as per the Prohibition of Employment as
Manual Scavengers (and their rehabilitation) Act,
Though the guidelines specifically mentioned 2013, manual cleaning/emptying of pit toilets and
that ULB officials or private contractors should septic tanks is prohibited. All ULBs are required to
“ensure safe disposal of septage at a treatment adopt mechanical processes for cleaning of pits/
plant,” it fell short of suggesting any monitoring septic tank. However, there has been poor on-
framework or suggestive action steps by states ground implementation because of several factors
if the quality standards of construction of septic such as weak institutional capacity to oversee
tanks or emptying and safe disposal by private designs and construction, weak public interest in
contractors are met or not. following regulations,13 inability of bigger trucks
The construction standard for septic 12 National Building Code, 2005. From http://www.bis.org.in/sf/nbc.htm,
Accessed on July 18, 2016.
11 Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India, 2014.
Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission. New Delhi: Government of 13 Murty J V R, 2013. Faecal Sludge and Sullage Management in Urban
India; p. 7. Maharashtra, Performance Assessment System Project.
4 DECEMBER 2016
BOX 1: KEY ASPECTS OF ODISHA URBAN SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES, 2016
The Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, intends to put in place a
set of operative guidelines for ULBs that will formalize and provide a framework for safe handling
of septage in the entire sanitation delivery chain (containment, emptying, transport, treatment, and
disposal/reuse) and aims to achieve the goals of Odisha Urban Sanitation Strategy, 2011.
These guidelines conform to the advisory note on septage management developed by Ministry of
Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India, and the guidelines on design and construction
of septic tanks issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Central Public Health and
Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO). Further, these guidelines are intended to
strengthen the existing framework focussed on implementing the provisions of the Prohibition of
Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, in the state of Odisha.
The operational procedures outlined in these guidelines are applicable to all urban local bodies
(ULBs) of Odisha and covers the following areas:
Framework on septic tanks, including standard design and construction;
Adoption of desludging procedure for the septage generated;
Safe transportation of septage from collection point to receiving facility;
Technological intervention for proper treatment of septage, disposal, and re-use;
Public awareness
The guidelines framed by the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha have now
made it compulsory for all households to construct septic tanks and stop the sludge from letting
out into municipal drains. The rules direct house owners to contact only civic body officials or other
registered sanitary agencies to clear out the septic tanks and strictly keep away from engaging
manual scavengers.
The SBM (Urban) Guidelines 2014 also specifically tank is prescribed by National Building Code
mention that wherever toilets cannot be (NBC)12 2005, and Central Public Health and
connected to sewer systems, “in addition to the Environmental Engineering Organization
construction of the toilet superstructure, an on- (CPHEEO) 2013 referenced from Indian Standard
site treatment system (such as twin pits, septic Codes (IS code 2470, 1985, Part-1 and IS 9872,
tanks, bio-digesters, or bio-tanks) should also 1981). These standards have been incorporated in
be constructed for the collection, treatment, city-level development regulations and the ULBs
and/or disposal of sewage at or near the point are responsible for enforcing these regulations.
of generation.”11 Also, as per the Prohibition of Employment as
Manual Scavengers (and their rehabilitation) Act,
Though the guidelines specifically mentioned 2013, manual cleaning/emptying of pit toilets and
that ULB officials or private contractors should septic tanks is prohibited. All ULBs are required to
“ensure safe disposal of septage at a treatment adopt mechanical processes for cleaning of pits/
plant,” it fell short of suggesting any monitoring septic tank. However, there has been poor on-
framework or suggestive action steps by states ground implementation because of several factors
if the quality standards of construction of septic such as weak institutional capacity to oversee
tanks or emptying and safe disposal by private designs and construction, weak public interest in
contractors are met or not. following regulations,13 inability of bigger trucks
The construction standard for septic 12 National Building Code, 2005. From http://www.bis.org.in/sf/nbc.htm,
Accessed on July 18, 2016.
11 Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India, 2014.
Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission. New Delhi: Government of 13 Murty J V R, 2013. Faecal Sludge and Sullage Management in Urban
India; p. 7. Maharashtra, Performance Assessment System Project.
4 DECEMBER 2016
