At a time when groundwater pollution caused by septic tanks continues to remain a big issue in Kerala, a village in the state has shown how to protect water sources by completely discarding conventional septic tanks and embracing Bio-Digester, an innovative waste management solution developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
What’s more, the residual water which comes out of Bio-Digester after undergoing microbial process is now being recycled for watering plants in the village.
In a significant step toward sustainable waste management, over 50 households at Karumkulam village in Thiruvananthapuram switched over to Bio-Digester under a project implemented by Kerala Suchitwa Mission in association with the grama panchayat and Samudra Planet, a Kerala-based company which has the license from DRDO for manufacturing and installation of Bio-Digesters in Kerala.
“The households in the village have been using conventional ring-type septic tanks causing massive pollution to the groundwater sources. We conducted tests and found high presence of several pathogens, mainly E. coli bacteria, in the water. We successfully replaced all septic tanks in the village with Bio-Digesters under the project supported by the panchayat,” said Samudra Planet Managing Director S Jeevan.
“The Bio-digester, an innovative waste management solution developed by DRDO, uses anaerobic bacteria to scientifically process human waste, ensuring an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to traditional septic systems. Bio-Digesters have more advantages than the traditional septic tanks even while the cost remains the same. Bio-Digester can be customized as per the space available and is totally maintenance-free. Also, it does not require annual cleaning mess,” Jeevan said.
Originally designed for use in forward and high-altitude defence establishments, the Bio-Digester has proven its effectiveness in scientific disposal of toilet waste in an environmentally friendly manner. “The system’s anaerobic bacteria break down waste into pathogen-free and odourless water, which can be safely discharged or reused for agricultural purposes. This has had a profound impact on the local environment, particularly groundwater sources,” he added.
“Prior to the installation of the Bio-Digesters, we had been facing the issue of groundwater contamination due to leakage and improper disposal from conventional septic tanks. The installation of bio-digesters has addressed these longstanding issues,” said a resident of the village.
One of the key advantages of the Bio-Digester system is its low maintenance and cost-effectiveness. Once installed, the system requires no routine maintenance, reducing the financial burden on households. Additionally, its durability and adaptability to various terrains make it ideal for rural and urban settings alike.
