KOCHI: Local bodies in Ernakulam district will soon conduct an audit of wastewater treatment facilities at hotels, restaurants, and vehicle service centres.
The move comes amid reports that many such institutions have no scientific mechanism to process wastewater. Incidentally, they had come under the scanner of the authorities for dumping sewage in waterbodies.
In line with a directive from the government, local bodies will study the daily generation of wastewater at hotels, restaurants, and vehicle service centres. A survey will also be conducted to identity the contents of wastewater released by such centres. The government has directed local bodies to act tough against institutions that fail to process wastewater. According to the government’s policy document on waste management, institutions generating wastewater should set up their own internal systems to process it. Green volunteers attached to local bodies will inspect the facilities every two months and report whether they adhere to the norms or not.
“Stringent action will be initiated against those who dump waste in rivers, lakes, or canals. Local bodies need not renew their licences if they fail the assessment test,” the document said.
Green volunteers will report violations on the basis of their assessment of lapses in sewage treatment by various institutions. Local bodies can also slap penalties on them.
The document added that local bodies should ensure that septage treatment plants are set up by the said institutions. The land for setting up such facilities should be identified by the local bodies concerned.
The heads of local bodies can seek the help of experts from Suchitwa Mission for setting up septage treatment plants.
Besides, health officials will inspect the institutions on a regular basis to ensure that the facilities are intact. They will also recommend scientific alternatives to dumping septage in waterbodies.
