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Practical Puja for Ganga
- Build a sewer close to the river front to carry all
sewage from buildings in this dense area rather than pump the
sewage up to the road. This would relieve the pressure on the old
sewers and stop all outfalls of sewage into Ganga. This sewer
could start at the Assi Nalla, and should be built so that no
sewage flows into Ganga as it moves through the city.
- Use gravity to move the sewage north of the city
through this sewer. If the river can flow in that direction, so
can sewage. This is preferred to electricity and pumps for
transporting sewage.
- In tropical climates oxidation ponds for the treatment
of sewage are preferred to other methods employed in colder
climates. The construction, operations, and maintenance costs are
less. Expertise in oxidation ponds is well-developed in India.
Oxidation ponds can treat fecal coliform.
- Involve citizens in the entire decision-making process
so that parallel changes in behavior can emerge and the
government itself will be accountable for maintaining standards
of effectiveness. The citizens of Varanasi feel great shame about
the condition of the river and need to be involved in the many
changes that will remedy the situation. In this way, civic pride
can develop and other changes could be achieved by the social
context.
- Lay sewers in the new development of houses and hotels
being built in the south (upstream) of the city. At present,
houses, hotels and other buildings are illegally dumping sewage
into the Assi. Since this area is developing so quickly, a plan
for sewers must be a high priority.
- Repair the electric crematorium and make sure it
continues to work. It needs to be given an adequate repair
budget. A new crematorium needs to be built for animal carcasses.
- The treatment of fecal coliform should be a priority
for all sewage treatment plants to be constructed in India. A
design which does not treat these parasites should not be
permitted to be built. Technology is now being tried in India
known as UASB sewage treatment plants. This type of sewage
treatment does not kill parasites and is not the most appropriate
for human sewage.
- A river guard should be re-established to patrol the
river front and discourage those individuals who would toilet
inappropriately, use soaps and engage in other disrespectful
behaviours.
Manushi, Issue 97
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