Indian Express 11.11.2009

On mayor’s insistence, fresh study on viability of producing power from sewage

Not satisfied with the report prepared by the MC Chief Engineer on the feasibility of producing electricity at the sewage treatment plant in Diggian, Mayor Kamlesh has roped in several companies to undertake a fresh study.

The mayor, after her trip to Gujarat, had moved a proposal to utilise the gases produced from sludge at the plant to produce electricity. She said this would help generate enough electricity for internal consumption at the plant and the excess could be supplied to the adjoining villages.

The plant at Diggian is being upgraded to process 30 million gallons per day (MGD) from 15 MGD at a cost of nearly Rs 28.98 crore. Tertiary treated water is being produced at the plant as well.

During the House Meet held in September, Chief Engineer S K Bansal had presented a report on the feasibility of the project. The report stated, “Testing and commissioning of the 30 MGD sewage treatment plant based on the latest technology is in progress. At the moment not enough gas is being produced. An estimation of the total sludge can be arrived upon only after the plant is fully functional. The quantity of gas generated at that stage will give us an idea of the scope of power generation units that should be set up.”

After the presentation of the report the councillors stated that the proposal should be dropped. However, when the mayor insisted on reconsidering the plan, it was proposed that the chief engineer conduct another study.

“I want that another study be conducted to check the feasibility of producing electricity. We have nothing to lose. Production of electricity would be beneficial for the city,” said Kamlesh.