The wastewater treatment plant in Dhingi village uses the Seechewal method to use treated wastewater for irrigation and prevent further pollution of groundwater
A new wastewater treatment plant opened recently in a village in Punjab’s Patiala district uses a method devised by one of the state’s leading environmentalists, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, to treat, recycle and reuse wastewater.
The impact of climate change, pollution and a lack of infrastructure means villages in India often face water shortage for agricultural and domestic purposes. Water-intensive crops, low water efficiency and unregulated groundwater are the main factors that account for agriculture water demand.
The plant in Dhingi village of Patiala aims to achieve the following objective using the ‘Seechewal Model’ of wastewater management:
The model is a pipe-and-pump formula used to remove heavy solid particles, oil and other material from water. It was introduced by Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and was first used in Seechewal, Punjab.
The project aims to implement a combination of processes through four-well systems of wastewater treatment for reuse apart from human consumption.
The water wells need to be cleaned regularly; otherwise, they produce extremely poor effluents with high suspended solids, which can be detrimental to the constructed wetland and cause clogging of beds.
To ensure continuous and effective operation, the accumulated material must be emptied periodically.
The project is likely to benefit 350 households and 2,755 people in total, Rajesh Verma, chief functionary and secretary, Akhil Bhartiya Gramin Uthan Samiti, said. He added:
“The project will reduce the usage of freshwater by providing an option of treated water to farmers. It will aim at water sustainability with appropriate technologies of water recycle-reuse-recharge.”
He added that the project has engaged, empowered and evolved community sustained processes for water management and strengthened community collectives.
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