New product to tackle ground water contamination, human waste management to hit market in Nagaland soon

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, April 28: With an ever-increasing population growth and rate of urbanisation, human waste management has become one of urban planning sector’s biggest challenges today.

A report from the World Health Organisation states that nearly 2.2 million people die annually from diseases caused by contaminated water.

India is no exception; and in an attempt to combat the problem, a new product called ‘Aerobio’ has been developed in January this year.

The product is expected to be introduced in the market very soon.

The research and development of the product was jointly undertaken by the Integrative Taxonomy and Microbial Ecology Research Group, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata and WJ Decor, a company based in Dimapur.

The research and development team was led by Dr. Punyasloke Bhadury, a scientist and an associate professor at IISER in Kolkata.

IISER Kolkata is an autonomous institution established by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.

A representative of WJ Decor told Eastern Mirror on Sunday that ‘Aerobio’ is in fact aerobic bacteria which work in human faeces. It degrades faeces and turns the water non-toxic.

After degrading the faeces, the affluent that passes into the soak pit is at the pH level of 6.9 to 7.5— which is a safe form of water to enter the environment. “Those are non-toxic, clear water,” according to the representative.

Citing current medical reports, he said 80% of diseases prevailing in India are water-borne, mostly caused by human waste.

According to him, ‘Aerobio’ will solve two major problems in India: Human waste management and contamination of groundwater.

Typically, a septic tank contains a separate compartment called a soak pit. It is built with no concrete base and is directly connected with the earth. As the waste begin to fill, waste from the septic tank shifts to the soak pit thereby allowing the wastewater to seep into the soil. This is how groundwater is contaminated. Various diseases occur as majority of households depend on water sourced from ring wells and bore wells.

“When the septic tank is full, one must have to either take the help of cesspool or manual scavenging method to evacuate the waste. Now the problem with our housing system is that there are so many houses built, whereby there is no road for the cesspool truck to go and reach each and every household,” he said and expressed optimism that ‘Aerobio’ would eradicate the problem.

The product is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Earlier, bacteria used to be imported from America as it was the first use it, the representative said. Some of the countries including Singapore, which have limited source of fresh water, use the product, it was informed.

How to use
The bacteria dose will depend on the size of the septic tank. However, for normal dosing process of the tank size of 1000 to 3000 litres, the minimum ration will be 0.1% of the total volume of the septic tank.

Dosage process
For the first month, the tank should be treated with 100 ml of the product for four times after seven days interval.

In the second month, 100 ml two times after every 15 days interval for three consecutive months.

In the fifth month, 100 ml is required only once every month.

The annual intake of ‘Aerobia’ is only one litre.

Foul smell
Foul smell released from the septic tank is harmful for one’s health. The presence of organic nutrients, ammonia, and nitrogen leads to the emission of foul smell from human faeces, the official said.

When the need for immediate evacuation arises, foul smell can be removed by adding 1/100 ratio. The entire faeces will be neutralised and odourless in two days, he said.

Availability
The business representative assured that ‘Aerobia’ would be available in the market after two months at a maximum rate of INR 650.

He also announced that the laboratory and factory would soon be established in Dimapur, making it even easier for the people to get one.

“If every individual in the country use this, it will contribute hugely towards a cleaner and better environment,” he said.