ANNOUNCEMENTS
Decentralized wastewater management (DWM) solutions have emerged as viable substitutes for centralized systems in developing nations due to the growing water shortage and low levels of sanitation services. In many developing nations, where centralized systems often function poorly owing to expense, technical difficulties, and/or failure to reach all users, the problem of inadequate wastewater treatment is urgent. Therefore, DWM is an economical, context-based substitute that enables local reuse, treatment, and environmental preservation. This thesis compares Indian national standards with international guidelines for the design, installation, and operation and maintenance (O&M) of four of the most popular DWM technologies: pit latrines, septic tanks, anaerobic baffled reactors (ABRs), and constructed wetlands (CWs). The report also examines each technology's environmental concerns and climate resilience, particularly in relation to greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater pollution. Technology appropriateness for the Indian city of Dehradun was evaluated using a multi-criteria analysis that included hydro-geological and geographical aspects, including population density, groundwater depth, land use, slope, and proximity to water bodies. In accordance with the principles of the circular economy, the research suggests a framework for sustainable DWM planning using GIS-based mapping and policy analysis. For the long-term viability of DWM systems in peri-urban India, the thesis also advocates contextual governance changes and a localized, data-driven siting procedure. The research also concludes that national guidelines contain considerable deficiencies with regards to specific environmental safeguards and climate resilience in comparison to global standards. It notes that CWs and ABRs respond successfully under prescribed spatial and hydrological conditions while pit latrines generate substantial groundwater contamination risks to shallow aquifer environments. These findings illustrate an urgent necessity for advancements in regulations and cross-sectoral relationships to enlarge sustainable DWM degrees in urban India. The main conclusions emphasized the significance of effluent reuse, adaptive design concepts, and regulatory measures for preserving environmental sustainability, public health, and equitable access to sanitation.
Keywords: DEWATS, O&M, Circular economy, Policy benchmarking, Climate resilience.
