Solar bio-toilets in 4 slums soon

BMC is hoping this project will not only address issue of non-availability of toilets but also tackle waste generated from toilets.

In a bid to make quick progress on its objectives under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the civic body is set to experiment with solar- powered bio-toilets that make use of a special strain of bacteria to decompose human waste. These toilets would recycle waste into clean, odourless water back for flushing. The BMC is hoping this project will not only address the issue of non-availability of toilets for slum- dwellers but also simultaneously tackle waste generated from toilets in slums.

While electricity supply is often an issue in slums, the portable toilet the BMC has sets its sights on is also solar-powered, to allow slum dwellers to get access to toilets at night without much trouble. BMC officials are in the process of choosing the slums for the project. The pilot project will be launched in four slums initially.

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Dr Rahul Dhule, medical officer at St George Hospital who created the design, said he started working on the concept after getting inspired by the way the Indian Army managed human waste at highly inaccessible locations such as the Siachen Glacier. “They use a strain of three bacteria found in Antarctica. These bacteria eat the solid part and the remainder is odourless water that can be either used for flushing or for gardens,” Dhule said.

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He presented the bio-toilet model first at Indovation 2015, organised by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, last month following which he got offers from Bihar, Goa and Rajasthan to share the technology. “I am discussing the feasibility of this bio-toilet with BMC,” he confirmed. To save space, the plan is to install 10 toilets on top of another 10 toilets.

The solar-powered bio-toilet is made of M-30 concrete, which Dhule says will provide durability for 40-50 years. No septic tank will be required and the toilet can be shifted from one location to another.

Each toilet will cost Rs 60,000 and will include a 300-litre water tank.

Explaining how the toilet will function, Dhule said the waste would be directed into a bio-tank where the bacteria will start processing it. After the process, a motor will be used to flush out remaining water back into the tank for re-use. He is in the process of acquiring a patent for his model.

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Abdul Sattar, president of Federation of Community Toilet Maintenance, said, “In a space-crunched city such as Mumbai, portable toilets will be of great use. In most slums, there is no power supply. Most of the women shy away from using toilets at night. If it is solar- powered, at least the lights will be available.”

tabassum.barnagarwala@expressindia.com

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