Berhampur city set to have an integrated sewerage system

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph)

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur city is set to have an integrated sewerage system soon. “The Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board has floated the technical tender for the integrated sewerage system in Berhampur,” said municipal commissioner Bhim Manseth. Preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) was under process, said the municipal commissioner stating that the project cost would be decided after finalisation of the DPR. The project would be funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme while the state’s matching share of 20 per cent would be met from the loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said Manseth. The integrated project, which has been cleared by a high-level committee, will include underground gravity sewer for collection of sewage of each household, replacement and renovation of all existing old sewers, construction of the main sewage drain, pumping stations, sewage treatment plants and low-cost sanitation units in the city area. The project will ensure proper treatment of the generated sewage in the city area through application of modern treatment technology. The treated wastewater will be used for watering plants and stored for cattle usage. Stating that there is a plan to follow the Hyderabad model, the municipal commissioner said at present, the wastewater is dumped into the Hussain Sagar after it is treated. “We have similar ideas in mind. The water, which will emerge from the treatment plant, would not be used for drinking purposes. But, it would be used in parks, to water trees and can be stored in ponds for cattle use,” he said. The city is now having a poor sewage collection and disposal system.