The Hindu        04.01.2012

Manual cleaning of drains, sceptic tanks prohibited

Special Correspondent

in black and white: M.S.Shanmugham, Collector, giving away awareness
pamphlet to Kalimuthu, Thanjavur Municipal Commissioner, and S.Shanthi,
Regional Director of Municipal Administration, on Monday. Photo: M.
Srinath

Manual cleaning and removal of obstructions in underground drainage and
sceptic tanks in both government and private buildings has been
prohibited as per a government order issued recently, said M. S.
Shanmugham, Collector, here on Monday.

Stern action would be taken against those who use men to
clean drainages and sceptic tanks in the district under Section 14 of
the Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines
(Prohibition) Act 1993, the Collector told presspersons. “Cleaning
should be done using necessary equipment. Thanjavur Municipality has
procured a Jet-rodding machine for the purpose,” he said.

However, the government order permitted manual scavenging in four places where those to be used for cleaning should wear masks.

The four areas are where damaged lids on the manholes
fall and obstruct the drainage, removal of obstruction in sewer lines
connecting defective motors at treatment plant. “Government order aimed
at preventing death due to suffocation and other dangers during
cleaning,”, the Collector pointed out.

He said owners of hotels, marriage halls, lodges,
hospitals and industries have been directed to construct a diaphragm
chamber within 15 days of receiving notice from the municipality.
Diaphragm chamber is to clean the sewage water before entering the
underground drainage.

“Awareness campaign is on within Thanjavur, Pattukottai
and Kumbakonam Municipalities limits. Municipal Commissioners have been
instructed to get undertakings from those who maintain underground
drainages and take up sceptic tanks cleaning that they would use only
machinery hereafter,” said the Collector. S.Shanthi, Regional Director,
Municipal Administration, was present.