STUN RESEARCH
While we have all witnessed the sharp rise in oil and fuel prices this year, what most of us do not realize is that the rise in the prices of chemical fertilizer has been even higher with prices going up by 300 to 500 percent. This reinforces the need to reduce our dependence on chemical fertilizers and start utilizing organic fertilizers. One of the best and cheapest organic fertilizers is urine. ENPHO has been promoting ecosan toilets which collect urine and feaces separately, for several years. However, handling of urine collected in urine diverting ecosan toilets is often difficult as it is difficult to store and transported to the fields. Therefore, efforts are now underway to crystallize the urine into a solid form so that it can be stored and used more easily. In this context, EAWAG/SANDEC, together with UN-HABITAT, is currently conducting a research on the production of Struvite from Urine in Nepal (STUN). Struvite is produced by adding a magnesium salt in the urine, which causes most of the phosphate and some of the nitrogen in the urine to precipitate and form white crystals that can be filtered. The research that is being conducted in ENPHO and Siddhipur seeks to optimize the STUN reactor and assess the economics of Struvite production. This issue of ENPHO E-Bulletin has an article on STUN. Please contact us if you want more information on this new area of research.
Powdered urine or how to recover nutrients from this yellow liquid
Just flush, and your excreta go down the drain. In a conventional sanitation approach, our urine and feaces are flushed away by water, only to disappear in the sewer and reach, at some point, treated or untreated, the nearby river, lake or sea. The numerous nutrients contained in the urine are hereby lost.
EcoSan, the concept 'Ecological Sanitation' remedies the issues of this "all down the gutter" approach by locally separating urine and feaces, to store them for further use. Feaces find their way back to mother earth through composting, whereas urine, as a valuable nutrient source, can be applied to the field as a natural fertilizer. Nevertheless, collecting, transporting and spreading urine might not always be that straightforward. Large volumes for comparably low nutrient concentration impede cost-effective storage and transportation.
As an alternative, urine may be converted into powder, concentrating some of its beneficial values in white, odourless material. The resulting powder, called struvite (MgNH4PO4•6H2O), contains about 95% of the phosphorous initially found in the urine and roughly 5% of the nitrogen. By using struvite as a fertilizer, the nutrients recovered from urine will be recycled locally, countering the ever-increasing use of expensive synthetic fertilizer.
A recent project initialized by Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology) and UN-Habitat (The United Nations Human Settlement Programme), studies the potential of struvite production at community scale in the Kathmandu Valley. The main ingredient, human urine, is collected from a dozen households in the village of Siddhipur. Thereafter, the struvite reactor, the "magic machine", produces the powder with a simple precipitation reaction, adding magnesium, and a filtering procedure through a normal cloth filter. The project aims to adapt the pilot scale reactor, in order to obtain a low-cost, robust and simple method.
Besides the precious yellow sap, the struvite production requires some sort of magnesium source. Magnesium salts, such as magnesium sulphate are commonly used, although for the application in Nepal, they have to be imported from India. Right now, the research focuses on potential alternative magnesium sources, such as bittern (the waste product of sea salt production containing high magnesium concentrations) or treated magnesite, a locally available mineral.
In the near future, the powder production from urine shall break new ground: from public toilets in public buildings in the densely populated urban area to rural communities - places, where urine is either generated in large quantities or transport to the field is difficult. The powdered urine shall facilitate nutrient recycling, transportation and storage, in order to combine sanitation and sustainable soil management. Everybody will be able to contribute his or her share to healthy vegetables from the farm – pee proudly.
- Bastian Etter and Raju Khadka
Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG)
:: ENPHO NEWS ::
POU WATER TREATMENT TVC FINALIST FOR CRITY AWARDS
The TV commercial on Point of Use (POU) Water Treatment, produced by UNICEF and DWSS with technical support from Business Advantage and ENPHO, has been nominated as one of the finalist for the 5th Crity Award for Best TV commercial. The 1 minute commercial had famous artists Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya in various roles. The Crity Awards is presented by the Advertising Association of Nepal each year to recognize excellence in marketing. You can help the POU advertisement win the prestigious award and thus promote POU water treatment by voting for the POU commercially. Simply send the message TVC D to 5959 through SMS.
SOARING PARTICIPATION TO IMPLEMENT SLTS IN BAJHANG
The team of experts (engineer and social mobilizers) from ENPHO made a three week long visit to Bajh and Bhamchaur VDC’s of Bajhang district to kick off School Led Total Sanitation (SLTS) campaign in the catchment areas of 12 schools. Prior to this, the team facilitated a four-day training on SLTS to Head Masters/Teachers, Representatives from School Management Committee and Teachers Parents Association. The program had 45 participants, including secretaries from both VDCs. During the campaign, students, their parents, school teachers, school management team and local people actively participated with water and sanitation related awareness activities like street drama, poem, dance, songs and powerful speech from local leaders. VDC level stakeholders’ meeting was organized on 13 and 15 November at Bajh and Bhamchaur VDC respectively. The meeting was called by consortium of 12 schools in order to make discussion on future plans related to environmental sanitation. On the same function, seven additional schools in the two VDCs have requested to conduct such activities at their schools as well.
WAPIC RESEARCH: FROM BENCH MODEL TO WORKING MODEL
In accordance with the results obtained from the bench model, research on Water Pasteurization through Improved Cookstoves (WAPIC) is now being tested in the field of three geographical regions of Nepal. In this context, ten WAPIC systems have been established in Gundu and Kakani, which represent mid-hills of Nepal. Similarly, systems will be installed in Dang, representing low elevation area and northern Ilam, representing high altitude areas. All the systems will be carefully monitored to assess their performance and social acceptance.
CS FILTER DISTRIBUTION AND ORIENTATION
ENPHO together with Rotary Club of Patan Durbar Square distributed 50 Colloidal Silver (CS) filters to poor communities in Dhapasi village of Kathmandu on 29th November to promote safe water. During the program promotional Manager Mr. Rajesh Adhikari gave orientation on personal hygiene and safe water.
COMMUNITY BASED WATSAN IN PERI-URBAN KATHMANDU
ENPHO has been assisting the local community implement water and sanitation improvement works in Gundu VDC, Bhaktapur and Chapagaon VDC, Lalitpur. Both of these projects are being supported by WaterAid Nepal (WAN). Till date following achievements have been made:
- In Gundu, a school Ecosan toilet has been constructed and it is being used, at the household level, 45 ecosan toilets, 9 sulav pour-flush latrines, 19 grey water management units, 8 solid waste management units (1 ring chamber at school level and 7 saga improvement units) have been installed. Similarly, one well rehabilitation work started.
- In Chapagaon, one well rehabilitation work is completed and another one is under process. At the household level, one ecosan toilet and 57 pour-flush toilets have been completed. Similarly, 50 m drainage and 200 sq. m. of pavement has been constructed.
PLACEMENT OF SCROLLING DISPLAY BOARDS OF PIYUSH
In an effort to spread the word on safe water and PIYUSH chlorine solution, 20 scrolling display boards have been placed at different schools, restaurants and other relevant places in Kathmandu and Lalitpur. This is part of ENPHO’s on-going campaign to raise awareness on household water treatment and PIYUSH with support from AED-NMARC.
UN-HABITAT AUDIT TEAM VISITS SIDDHIPUR
An Audit Team from UN-HABITAT Headquarters in Nairobi visited Siddhipur on November 29 to assess the impact of the Community Based Water and Sanitation Project which had been implemented in Siddhipur with assistance from UN-HABITAT and other partners. The water supply system is now providing water to over 600 households and the local user committee is managing the whole system. The operation and maintenance cost is being met through user fees. There has also been a significant improvement in the sanitation situation in the village with toilet coverage being close to 100 percent and the involvement of local people in improving waste management practices.
ENPHO RETREAT & STRATEGIC PLANNING
ENPHO organized a residential workshop among all staff members at the Borderland Resort, Bhotekoshi to revise its Strategic Operational Plan (SOP 2006-09) on 30 Nov and 1 Dec. The SOP for next three year period reiterated the need to accelerate existing 3D (Development, Demonstration and Dissemination) approach on appropriate water and sanitation technologies. On the same venue, another half day exercise was done to finalize the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) framework and Guideline of ENPHO. The workshop was twined with team building exercises. This workshop has been supported by Water Aid Nepal (WAN) under Planning & Monitoring of WATSAN Programmes with Capacity Building Initiatives of ENPHO.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKS UNDER UEIP DHULIKHEL PROJECT UNDER PROGRESS
Three days leadership training was organized to the leaders (community users’ group and school management team) from 17 to 19 November. Renovation of 50-year old Palepukhu pond (2685 sq.m.) located at Ward. No.2 has begun. The pond improvement activities include renovation of side wall, paving around the pond area, building mini-park with fountain head and facilities for fishing. The mini park will be operated and maintained by private sector. Recently various users committees have been formed at local community and schools. Similarly, on 12 November a focus group discussion was organized where altogether 32 people of Ward. No. 4, 5 and 7 gathered to discuss and decide on working mechanism, roles and responsibility and the formation of users committee for Jarandanda stair construction.PRE-SACOSAN CIVIL SOCIETY MEET
Leading up to the Third South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN-III), a Pre- SACOSAN meeting for Civil Society leaders was organized on 16 and 17 November in New Delhi to discuss key issues related to sanitation in the region and call on delegates of SACOSAN III to substantially increase their efforts so as to achieve equitable and sustainable growth in the number of people with access to safe sanitation and hygiene services. The declaration of the civil society Meet focused on eight key issues: right to sanitation and safe water, governance, health outcomes, urban sanitation, manual scavenging, sanitation in educational institutions, menstrual hygiene and exclusion. The meeting was organized by Fresh Water Action Network South Asia (FANSA), Water Aid and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC).
ENPHO’s Executive Director, Bhushan Tuladhar, participated in the Civil Society Pre-SACOSAN Meeting where he presented a paper on urban sanitation and also chaired one of the plenary sessions.
RUN FOR CLIMATE
The basic prerequisite for preparing a country and its individuals to adapt with changing climate is to spread knowledge on climate change and their effects. In this relation, Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), Clean Energy Nepal and ENPHO in coordination with more than 25 organizations working in the field of Climate Change organized a Run for Climate on 6th December in order to raise climate change awareness in the country. More than 250 participants joined the program from various sectors such as colleges/schools, organizations, media persons etc. The group chanted slogans about climate change along with artistic poster and banners went jogging in the morning from Jawalakhel to Basantapur, a three kilometers stretch. The program concluded with a drama on Climate Change with more than 500 audiences and addressed by Bhushan Tuladhar, ENPHO including speakers from the SEN and school student.
PARTICIPATION/PRESENTATIONS
Rajesh Adhikari, Promotional Manager at ENPHO participated in the 2nd International WASH Practitioners' Marketplace and Fair held at Cox's Bazzar, Bangladesh from 11-13 November. During the fair, Mr. Adhikari made a poster presentation on social marketing of Point of Use (POU) treatment options of drinking water through Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nepal.
- On 11 November, Bipin Dangol, Program Manager participated in a half day interaction workshop on “Low Income Customer Support Unit (LICSU) Plan” organized by KUKL. During the workshop KUKL representatives made presentation on Updates and Progress on LICSU Plan and group discussions were made to implement this plan at the earliest.
- On 11 November, Bhushan Tuladhar facilitated a workshop on Integrated Solid Waste Management organized by Practical Action Nepal
- On 23 November, Bhushan Tuladhar gave a presentation at the Youth Summit on Climate Change organized by Youth Action for Climate Change.
- On 25 November, Bhushan Tuladhar gave training on Solid Waste Management to technicians from 20 municipalities.
- Bhushan Tuladhar, Executive Director participated in Third SACOSAN conference held in New Delhi from 16-21 November.
:: LOCAL NEWS ::
WATER SUPPLY ROW GRIPS DHULIKHEL
Dhulikhel remained tense throughout the day today, as people demonstrated at the local bus park, protesting the disconnection of water supply line. People of Dhulikhel municipality Ward Nos. 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9 had cut off the water supply lines in Chaukot and Subba village on Monday, citing discrimination in water supply by the Dhulikhel water supply users' committee. They had asked the users’ committee to ensure water supply by Sunday. As the supply line was cut, Dhulikhel bazaar, hotels, Kathmandu University and Dhulikhel hospital faced acute shortage of water. The protesters from the users’ committee also handed over a memorandum to the local administration on Tuesday, demanding legal action against those involved in snapping the water supply line. The protesters laden with iron rods and sticks disrupted the transportation at the Dhulikhel bus park, obstructing bus services leaving from Dhulikhel for Dolakha, Melamchi, Chautara and Ramechhap and on the BP Highway. The shops, schools and offices in Dhulikhel were shut down. The protesting youths of Dhulikhel fortified the highway carrying iron rods and sticks, fearing attacks by the pipe cutters. The police brought additional forces from Kathmandu to deploy in the Dhulikhel bus park as precautionary measures to stop clashes, police source said. The demonstrators attacked four persons and vandalized a bus parked in Dhulikhel. They also warned the local media persons against photographing them. Demanding immediate water supply, the protesting people of Ward Nos. 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Dhulikhel municipality continued demonstrations at 28 Kilo of the Araniko Highway throughout the day.
Source: The Himalayan Times; Annapurna Post; Nepal Samacharpatra, 4 December (News retrieved from www.ngoforum.net)
NGO PRACTICES SOCIAL AUDITINGAt a time when NGOs and social organizations are accused of lacking transparency in their activities and budget expenditure, the UNESCO Club of Banke has done an exemplary deed by publishing the details of the activities and budget spent by the club under the Livelihood Improvement Project in Banke. The club presented the details at a program yesterday in the presence of the stakeholders concerned and journalists. Under the first year of the project, the club has presented the details of Rs 2.8 million it spent on various titles. The project was launched a year ago to improve the livelihood of people of the Badi community, Dalits, Janajatis and Muslims in Banke and Kailali districts. At the social auditing program, headmaster of local Mangal Prasad Secondary School Jitendra Singh said other social organizations should learn a lesson from the UNESCO Club. The participants were asked to discuss on the written progress and expenditure report and they were also invited to provide suggestions for improvement.
Source: RSS, 4 DecemberNEW ACT TO CURB POLLUTION
The Government of Nepal is preparing to make an ‘Urban Development Council Act’ to curb increasing urbanization and pollution in the Kathmandu Valley. Director General of Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) Surya Bhakta Sangachhen told that the government has prepared draft bill to make new act. He told that the act aims to relocate harmful industries outside the city, make urban environment clean and manage urbanization. “The government is going to make this kind of act after a long time. This act will make the valley clean and well-managed,” Sangachhen said. He told that the draft bill is being discussed in the ministerial cabinet and will be sent in the parliament within some days. He told that the act has taken goal to extend Kathmandu valley centred urbanization to other municipalities and arrange home for the urban poor.
Source: Naya Patrika; Rajdhani, 4 December
POWER CUT TO CONTINUE FOR FIVE MORE YRS: NEAOn account of insufficient resources and inability to meet prevailing demand for electricity, load-shedding, which is unintentionally engineered, would continue in the country at least for five more years, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The NEA says Koshi flood havoc obstructing supply of 50 MW power and declining water level in Kule Khani and generating merely 46 MW out of 92 MW-capacity due to technical glitches have compelled to increase load-shedding hours. Water levels of as much as hydropower projects have declined due to snow freezing in their sources, says Danda Pani Basyal, NEA public relation director. This has forced us to supply inadequate electricity to the ever expanding demand, he says. Currently, the country produces 407 MW (by NEA) and 210 MW (by private sector). Besides this, there are some micro hydropower and solar electricity projects in rural areas. Despite this, the country needs at least 722 MW of electricity and the demand is on the rise.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 7 DecemberNEPALESE YOUTH SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
First ever Nepalese Youth Summit on Climate Change was organized by Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), Clean Energy Nepal (CEN), and Clean Air Network Nepal (CANN) in coordination with Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and Ministry of Youth and Sports with support from WWF Nepal, LI-BIRD, UMN, CCNN and Photo Concern. The main objective of the program was to create unified youth voice on climate change through youth declaration. Addressing the summit, Human Rights Activist, Krishna Pahadi said – “the new constitution of Nepal should establish Environmental Right as a fundamental right of citizens. To make this happen, the youth can play a crucial role”. The summit participants were students from diverse field like Humanities, Environment, Law, Media, Health, Engineering, Management and Development Studies.
Source: www.nyca.com.np, 22 NovemberJUTE BAG DISTRIBUTED FREE OF COST TO SAVE ENVIRONMENT
- Roshan Parajuli
The Hetauda municipality has started to distribute jute bags free of cost after 8 years. The municipality had distributed 5,000 jute bags eight years ago with support from UDLI and Colgate Palmolive. This time, the municipality is distributing 2,000 plastics bags through Tole Development Organization. “The municipality has distributed jute bags to reduce use of plastic bags and save environment,” said programme coordinator Ram Prasad Sigdel, adding, “The municipality has not been able to distribute jute bags to all the city denizens due to financial problem.” He claimed that some people are still using the jute bags distributed eight years ago for shopping.
Source: Nepal Samacharpatra, 5 December (News retrieved from www.ngoforum.net)WATER TARIFF HIKE IN KATHMANDU LIKELY
Water Tariff Fixation Commission is likely to hike water tariff by 10 to 30 per cent this week, even as the Kathmandu Valley continues to face a perennial shortage of water. Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the public-private partnership utility responsible for the distribution of piped water in the Valley, had proposed hikes in water tariff last week. After getting the KUKL proposal, the commission had sought opinion from the public over the proposal. It had given the public until Tuesday to comment on the proposal. "We will thoroughly study the new tariff recommended by KUKL before taking a decision," said Ratna Sansar Shrestha, member of the commission. According to Shrestha, the commission will study KUKL's profile and pension, salaries and allowances provided to KUKL staff. The utility has proposed 10 per cent hike in water tariff for those, who consume 10,000 litres of water, adding that those who consume more than this quantum should cough up 30 per cent more in tariff. "The proposed hike does injustice to the urban poor. This will force them to pay three times more tariff than the rich or those who have private taps," chief executive director of NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation, Prakash Amatya, said. "If the proposed tariff takes effect, the community tap users will have to pay Rs 205.80 for consuming 10,000 litres of water. This includes sewarage charge. On the other hand, private tap owners will have to pay only Rs. 82.50 for consuming 10,000 litres. Urban poor's right to water will be in jeopardy if the commission gives a go-ahead to the proposed water tariff hike," he said. The NGO has also called on authorities concerned to prevent leakage of piped water and urged KUKL to enlighten public as to its achievements. It has demanded that subsidies be given to the poor on water tariff. KUKL has set up 100 community stand taps for distribution of water to the urban poor. It has been able to supply just 120 million litres of water per day in the valley whereas the valley needs 230 million litres of water per day. Earlier, a KUKL official claimed the proposed hike tariff was in line with recommendation of Asian Development Bank (ADB), the main donor for Melamchi Water Supply project. This time, however, no one was available for comment on the proposed water tariff hike.
Source: www.ekantipur.com, 9 DecemberBIOMASS NETWORK FORMED IN MAKWANPUR
A network of orgnisations involved in the sector of biomass including improved oven has been formed in Makwanpur district. A coordinative meeting of the government and non-government offices, working in the sector of alternative energy in the district, reportedly formed the 23-member network recently with Future Nepal (FN) as convenor. During the meeting, extensive discussions on the ways of using improved oven effectively and its future strategy were also held. A concept paper on the formation of the network was presented by Programme Officer of Rural Technology Center Pratiksha Pradhan. The speakers stressed on publicity of the improved oven to support the people of rural parts, who are still dependent on the firewood for fuel and are compelled to live in smoke. At the programme organised by FN, chiefs of the District Development Committee, District Education Office, District Forest Office, District Public Health Office, Local Development Fund, District Agriculture Office, District Livestock Office and the representatives of Rural Technology Promotion Center, Kathmandu, Agriculture Bank, Makwanpur, and other organizations, running the programmes on alternative energy in the district were present. It has been reported that a total 7,000 improved ovens have been made so far in 38 VDCs in the district while 149 persons including 53 women have already received the improved oven promotion training.
Source: RSS, 26 November
:: GLOBAL NEWS ::
ZAMBIA: A SLOW START TO SAVING THE TREES
Zambians are gradually turning to greener energy technologies to save trees after suffering years of extensive flooding and droughts, which could slow the impact of climate change. Charcoal-fed braziers are being replaced by those burning briquettes made of treated coal waste, which are smokeless and emit low levels of sulphur dioxide gas. Biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by fermenting organic matter like animal or human waste, biodegradable waste and municipal solid waste are also being punted as alternatives to wood fuel. "Traditional energy sources, especially wood fuel, cause deforestation and serious ecological and environmental degradation in the country," said Alick Muvundika, head of the water, energy and environment programme at the government-run National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR). Zambia is listed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as one of the top ten countries with the highest annual deforestation rates. The FAO estimates that Zambia loses about 8,000 hectares of forest every year. Most of the trees are used as firewood or for producing charcoal, while in many rural areas they are cut and burnt to ash, which is used to improve soil fertility on subsistence farms. Greener alternatives like the coal briquettes have been available in Zambia since the 1990s, but there have been few takers. Nasri Safieddine, who designs energy-saving traditional cookers, said there had been little political will to promote these technologies until recently. Power cuts and the price of charcoal are now prompting urban Zambians to explore the greener energy alternatives, said Muvundika. A 10kg bag of coal briquettes costs about US$1.50, while Zambians have to shell out US$5 for the same amount of charcoal, and 1.3kg of coal briquettes can burn for six hours, while the same weight of charcoal will burn for only one and a half hours. "I realise that this [coal briquettes] is better: it does not produce a flame or smoke like charcoal, it lasts longer than charcoal braziers, and it is generally clean; it is like a stove [cooker]," said Maria Banda, a housewife in the capital, Lusaka.
Source: IRIN News, 3 DecemberSACOSAN-III CONCLUDES WITH DELHI DECLARATION; CALLS FOR NATIONAL PRIORITY TO SANITATION
The weeklong Third South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN-III) concluded with a unanimous declaration by heads of delegations, calling for national priority to sanitation being basic right of citizens. “Access to sanitation and safe drinking water is a basic right, and according national priority to sanitation is imperative, says the declaration, urging the governments to ensure a healthy environment with clean air, soil and fresh water resources so that the present and coming generations could enjoy their lives in a better atmosphere. The document calls for involving all stakeholders at all stages, effective policy making, institutional and fiscal incentives, working in partnership with religious leaders, communities, institutions and local governments and service providers.
Source: http://sanitationupdates.wordpress.com, 21 NovemberEXPERTS CALL FOR CUTS IN ‘CONVENTIONAL’ AIR POLLUTANTS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE CLIMATE BENEFITS
In a series of four ground-breaking conferences held around the world over the past two months, top scientists and policy makers called for urgent reductions in ‘conventional’ air pollutants, including ground-level ozone, black carbon and methane, to provide immediate climate benefits. These conferences were sponsored by the Global Atmospheric Pollution Forum or organizations affiliated with the Forum.
Explaining the conclusions, John Kuylenstierna, Joint Convener of the Global Atmospheric Pollution Forum, commented: “Compared with carbon dioxide (which lasts from 50 to –100s of years in the atmosphere), these substances are relatively short-lived, lasting from days to weeks (black carbon and ozone) to a decade (methane) – so decreasing their concentrations can produce relatively quick climate benefits. This can be of particular importance for the potentially avoiding key ‘tipping points’, especially in the Arctic region and glacial areas, as well as providing important health and other air quality benefits.”
Commenting on the conclusions, Richard Mills, Director-General of the International Union of Air Pollution Prevention Associations (IUAPPA), and Joint Convener of the Forum, added: “These conclusions make clear that, as a priority, measures to reduce concentrations of ozone, black carbon and methane must be pursued alongside CO2 emission cuts and adaptation measures, in future climate change negotiations. This should be done as part of a wider strategy to integrate climate change and air pollution policies. Such an approach is now essential in the light of the Conferences’ conclusions that integrated strategies could reduce the overall cost of achieving long-term objectives in both fields by about 20%.”
Source: CAI-Asia, 4 DecemberHIGHER WATER, SEWERAGE TARIFF FIXED FOR SUBURBS -AS A RESULT OF OPTING FOR FUNDING UNDER JNNURM
A. Srivathsan and K. LakshmiThe Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has come as a boon to develop the infrastructure in the suburban areas of Chennai. However, it has also pushed the municipalities to fix higher water and sewerage tariff and connection charges in order to meet their share of the project cost. Consequently, the water and sewerage tariff proposed by as many as 16 municipalities that have opted for funding under the JNNURM is more when compared to the tariff followed within Chennai city limits. While the monthly water charges fixed by the Metrowater for consumers in the city start from a minimum of Rs.50, the minimum charge proposed by local bodies under the JNNURM scheme is Rs.60 to Rs.75 per month. A municipal official at Madhavaram said while 35 per cent of the project cost would be met by the Central government, 15 per cent would be provided as grant by the State government. The urban local bodies have to contribute to the remaining share of the cost. "We have fixed water connection charges as Rs.5,000 for domestic and Rs.10,000 for industrial consumers to raise fund for the project cost," the official said. Similarly, Maduravoyal municipality has fixed sewer connection charges ranging between Rs.3,000 and 25,000 according to the users. However, consumers in the city covered by Metrowater pay relatively lesser charges to obtain water or sewerage connection, which ranges between Rs.5,000 to Rs.7,500. An official of the Madhuravoyal municipality said, the tariff was determined on the available resources and loan amount to be repaid to financial agencies such as Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation and Infrastructure Financial Services Limited. The local body had borrowed for 4 per cent interest from a financial institution and the tariff was fixed based on the loan amount to be repaid. Unlike the network in the city, which was provided several decades ago, the network to be laid in the suburban areas is estimated on a higher project cost. "Our resources are limited and cannot afford to lower charges," the official said. An official of the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration said the proposed connection charges and water, sewerage charges were approved by the municipal council. They vary according to the resources available in the municipalitie. "The State government has allocated more grants to a few local bodies identified with poor resources," the official said.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com, 24 November
::UPCOMING EVENTS ::
INTERNATIONAL COURSE ON WATER SAFETY PLAN
16-19 March 2009
The ITN-BUET is going to organize International Course on Water Safety Plan (WSP) during 16-19 March 2009 at ITN Centre, BUET. The main objective of this training course is: To orient and create awareness and to expand knowledge base of the participants on current approach of safety management of water through operational monitoring and process control.
For details:
Sk. Abu Jafar Shamsuddin, Centre Manager, ITN-BUET, Bangladesh
Tel: 9663693; Fax: 9663695 E-mail: itnoffice@itn.buet.ac.bd
THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL DRY TOILET CONFERENCE
One year after the International Year of Sanitation –
Are the Millennium Development Goals realistic?The 3rd International Dry Toilet Conference will be held in Tampere, Finland, on 12-15 August 2009. The purpose of the DT2009 is to continue the progress achieved by the previous conferences, DT2003 and DT2006, organized in 2003 and 2006 respectively. The objective of the conference is to offer a discussion platform for professionals and other interested parties and to distribute the latest information about various aspects of dry toilets. The Conference is organised by The Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland, in cooperation with Tampere University of Technology, TAMK University of Applied Sciences and University of Tampere.
For details: http://drytoilet.org/dt2009/
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