State workshop on Septage Management for City-wide Inclusive Sanitation in Uttar Pradesh

Date: July 29, 2022
Venue: Urban Training & Research Centre and  Local Bodies Directorate
Time: 10:00-01:30 PM

Background

Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) have a strong relationship in providing better sanitation services, including FSSM to the urban citizen of Uttar Pradesh. The journey of CSE’s partnership with the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh has begun in 2015 and over time the relationship got stronger. CSE has separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Department of Urban Development, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Lucknow, Chunar Municipality and Bijnor Municipality. Further, CSE works in close coordination with Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (UPJN), AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission (urban) and Directorate of Urban Local Bodies.

The focus of CSE’s support has remained on supporting the government departments in achieving mandates given under various govt. programmes in the sanitation field by bringing insights from field level findings, supporting in preparation of policy documents and designing and implementing capacity building initiatives

Context

Current status: Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) has become one of the major thrust area for the govt. of UP and the focus has shifted from construction of toilets to managing the faecal sludge generated therefrom. Currently there are 40 FSTP plants and 22 co-treatment plants in UP. Almost 15 plants are ready for starting operation. Some of the plants have also started treating sludge. Now, it has become imperative to understand the status of the plants and quickly understand various points associated with the smooth functioning of these plants. Therefore, CSE team has visited the plants and prepared a report which highlights the progress and current status, challenges and recommendations to overcome them and the report is meant for sharing with all concerned stakeholders including the ULB officials.

Felicitation and Cross learning from Cities of UP: Currently many FSSM projects are being constructed in the cities of UP. Cities of UP are also constructing FSSM plants. There are 10 cities where construction is over and treatment of sludge has begun. Out of the 10 cities, only 3 cities (Bijnor, Chunar and Jhansi) have drafted their bye-laws on FSSM and also approved in the ULB meeting and getting regular sludge for treatment. These three cities will be felicitated. The state encourages cross learning among cities who have FSSM plants either built or being built. Bijnor, Chunar and Jhansi will share their FSSM experience.

Objective

With this objective, a workshop is proposed in collaboration with (AMRUT/DoUD) to share the findings of the report related to the status of the FSSM projects in UP, main points of the advisory and having an effective discussion to take the FSSM journey forward. The specific objective of the workshop would be:

• Launch of the Report : Sab keliyeswachhshaher : SwachhtakaNaya Safar
• Felicitation front runner ULBs (Construction of Septage Treatment infrastructure)
• Identification of Bottlenecks in completion of works, Enabling Bye Laws and , Challenges and Priorities for City Wide Inclusive Sanitation
• Roll out of State Advisory on SOP for O&M of FSSM projects