When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.”
– Cree Indian (Native American) saying
This prophetic saying is truer today for our country than ever before! By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will be affected by recurring water shortages. This number equivalent to the population of India and China! To survive this challenge, the key is sustainability. It is the pursuit of finding the balance between the environment, society and economy. While there is a wide gamut of definitions, the main organszing principle of sustainability is the same: inter-dependence. Shape shifting interests of politics and profit make sustainability an ideal pursuit because reality is entirely different.
In 2015, world leaders defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals to include “the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation” as the sixth global goal. In the context of the water cycle – cutting back on water use, managing fair and safe distribution of water, and replenishing of ground water sources – are the main concerns. However, to be truly sustainable, it is necessary to manage wastewater. Otherwise the pollutants will eventually contaminate the sources irreversibly. This is paramount to our health and the economy.
In industrialised nations, industries consume more than half of the water available for human use. Fresh water withdrawals have tripled over the last 50 years. Demand for fresh water is increasing by 64 billion cubic meters a year. Looking at this soaring demand for fresh water, food industry comes under the magnifying glass. With it comes an increase in the use grease, oil and other potential hazards in wastewater systems, which directly impact freshwater quality. The ability of effluent and sewage treatment plants to effectively handle and treat waste depends largely on the quality of influent into the collection system.
Industrial applications, and the food service industry in particular are plagued with operational problems from drain lines that fail due to blockages, resulting in expensive repairs, downtime and cleanup activities.
Grease & Oil (G&O) also referred to as fats, oils and grease (FOG) have a debilitating effect on the drainpipes and the system itself. A line shut down for any length of time because of a clogged drain line can mean the difference between profit and loss. This not only affects employees but also the end-consumer.
In the US and European countries, there are strict levies and surcharges for improper wastewater discharge and therefore a greater incentive to treat it effectively. Also, there is no stigma attached to the job of cleaning so everyone is equally involved.
In India, while there are water quality standards set out by Central and State-level Pollution Boards, the implementation is subjective and open to interpretation and ‘adjustments’. Besides, manual drain cleaning perpetuates the unhealthiest social system because the cleanup job is relegated to people considered ‘lower caste’, who have been historically oppressed.
The Swachch Bharat Mission has helped put a spotlight on the issue of waste in general. However, tons of chemicals, acids and caustics are being poured down the drain across all systems which are adding to the problem. The availability of cheap chemical cleaners and a lack of awareness about the impact of inputs result in heavy degradation of wastewater systems. The indiscriminate use of harsh chemicals, surfactants, acids, caustics etc. dewater & harden the soft grease in the drains, which makes the problem worse.
Bioremediation is the solution. Bioremediation differs from the use of traditional mechanical methods and caustic chemicals in that it does not damage the drainage infrastructure. By regularly introducing non-toxic and non-pathogenic microorganisms into the wastewater system, it has proved to be an effective method to reduce the build-up of fats, oils, grease and all sewage components including uric acid and scaling in toilets and urinal lines. By using high-quality, cost-effective and biodegradable solutions, the pollutant levels of G&O, BOD, COD, TSS and other parameters are greatly reduced.
To conclude, a right mix of environment-friendly products that help solve the age-old issue of wastewater management and blockages is what is urgently required. At EcoWorks Biotech that is our focus. Using pre-treatment solutions directly at the source of the wastewater, which is the kitchen sink or toilet, the quality of wastewater is improved from the get-go. Our products use naturally occurring bacteria that are isolated and stress-trained to break down complex organic substances into simpler components (carbon dioxide and water) that are harmless to the environment.
The burden of clean water, which is primarily a governmental responsibility, is shifting partially onto the shoulders of wastewater producers. At the commercial and residential level, there needs to be a conscious and sincere effort to improve the quality of inputs. We need to separate the wheat from the chaff and switch to environment-friendly sustainable options. This is important for us today, and for the sake of future generations.