Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to Integrate Green Technologies into Sewage Treatment Plants

Strategic Insights -

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is embarking on a sustainability drive by integrating green technologies into its Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the World Bank-supported Urban Water Security and Disaster Management project. The initiative aims to harness innovative models such as solar power generation and fertilizer production from sewage sludge, reducing dependency on external energy sources and making STPs financially self-sustaining. Nine new STPs are proposed, with a major portion of the funds allocated for the Bommanahalli zone, which includes lake rejuvenation, pipeline networks, lift pumping stations, and installation of green technology solutions at Saul Kere and a new 15 MLD unit at Chikkabegur.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BWSSB plans to integrate green technologies into its STPs, prioritizing scientific and sustainable management of wastewater through models such as solar power generation and fertilizer production from sewage sludge.
  • Solar panels will be installed at the Saul Kere STP to generate electricity, and solar sludge drying systems will be introduced at Chikkabegur Lake to produce electricity and organic fertilizer from dried sewage sludge.
  • The project aims to reduce dependency on external energy sources and make STPs financially self-sustaining, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,323 crore, including a Rs 1,000 crore loan from the World Bank.
  • Nine new STPs are proposed, with a major portion of the funds allocated for the Bommanahalli zone, which includes lake rejuvenation, pipeline networks, lift pumping stations, and installation of green technology solutions.
  • The BWSSB is already generating 2.5 MW of electricity at five major STPs using biogas and plans to set up a 500 kW biogas-powered unit at the upcoming 35 MLD STP in Anjanapura, Bommanahalli zone, under the World Bank project.
  • The project includes works such as lake rejuvenation, laying of pipeline networks, lift pumping stations, and installation of green technology solutions at Saul Kere and a new 15 MLD unit at Chikkabegur.
  • The solar sludge drying system will convert wet sewage by-products into reusable dry sludge using solar energy, which can then be repurposed as organic fertilizer.
  • The initiative aims to harness dual benefits through plants, generating electricity while reducing dependency on external energy sources.

Statistics:

  • Estimated cost of the project: Rs 1,323 crore.
  • Amount of loan from the World Bank: Rs 1,000 crore.
  • Number of new STPs proposed: 9.
  • Funds allocated for the Bommanahalli zone: Rs 706 crore.
  • Amount of electricity generated by the BWSSB at five major STPs: 2.5 MW.
  • Capacity of the biogas-powered unit to be set up at the upcoming 35 MLD STP in Anjanapura, Bommanahalli zone: 500 kW.

Sources:

  • The Times of India, "BWSSB to integrate green technologies into sewage treatment plants"