The state urban development department is mulling over incentivizing the setting up of greywater treatment plants in new and existing residential and commercial projects.
Usually, grey water constitutes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, washing machines, sinks, and laundry tubs. It does not include toilet discharge water.
An analysis by the Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, recently observed that a domestically produced grey water treatment system would cost Rs 187 per sq m per year. Grey water recycling can ease problems of scanty water supply in residential and commercial buildings.
One of the two treatment processes that are being proposed is the hybrid system that comprises a natural filtration unit with a bioreactor system. “We are looking to incentivize grey water treatment plants in the upcoming decadal development plan for Ahmedabad. Most 25- to 40-year-old residential schemes will go for redevelopment.
So, it will be useful if the incentive schemes are announced now. This will be a major shift from the present sewage treatment plant (STP) plans and will exert far less pressure on municipal systems,” says a senior urban development department official.