Pavitra Ganga well represented at the IWA Water Reclamation and Reuse Conference in Chennai

Pavitra Ganga was well represented at the IWA Water Reclamation and Reuse Conference with one workshop, five presentations, and 3 posters. With around 200 participants (India and international) present at the conference, the conference proved  to be a golden opportunity to present the complete scope of Pavitra Ganga activities.

 

On the eve of the conference, a workshop ‘Minimizing Occupational Risks in Wastewater Treatment: the Role of Technology-based Wastewater Safety Planning’ was organised.  

Session on water reuse in developing countries 

The first day two presentations in the “Water Reuse in Developing Countries” session were given for Pavitra Ganga wastewater treatment technologies. Paul Campling (VITO) presented first results of the ANDICOS approach that demonstrates the IPC membrane filtration treatment approach for water reuse and the production of concentrated sludge for energy recovery in an anaerobic digester.

Luca Ofiera (HBO) presented the first results of the constructed wetland plus polishing pilot that uses activated carbon and zeolites for the removal of heavy metals and other persistent contaminants from secondary treated wastewater.

 

Regulation and governance session

On the second day, Gabriela Cuadrado Quesada (IHE Delft) presented  ‘Perceived drivers and barriers in the governance of wastewater treatment and reuse in India: insights from the EU-India Pavitra Ganga Project’. Gabriela emphasised the lack of enforcement of pollution monitoring and control plus the non-presence of an umbrella directive to integrate water resources management in India.

 

Session on managing water reuse in fast growing megacities

On the third and final day, the “Proposed Road Map to Exploit Wastewater Treatment, Water Reuse and Resource Recovery Opportunities in Kanpur, India” was presented by Alessio Fenu (Aquafin). He highlighted the different pathways and options to pursue more circular economy investments at the Jajmau STP to enhance the reclamation of wastewater.
 

Risk management session

In addition, Lena Breitenmoser (FHNW) presented “Wastewater Safety Planning in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Approach and Learnings from the EU-India Pavitra Ganga Project” in the Risk Management session She highlighted the microbial risks for operators handling wastewater at treatment plants and for farmers using treated wastewater for irrigation in Kanpur, India.