Abstract
This study assesses a trade-off between mechanized treatment systems and natural treatment systems for wastewater treatment (WWT) and recycling approaches. Investigation on this trade-off is carried out using field data on operation and maintenance (O and M) costs and land requirements. It is then shown that none of them in solo are techno-economically viable and environmentally sustainable for WWT in urban areas in India. Hence, a paradigm shift in WWT in India is proposed to adopt hybrid treatment systems (HTSs) approach. HTSs involve treatment considering a combination of natural and mechanized treatment approaches. Adoption of HTSs will result in energy savings and environmental benefits and hence will help India to achieve various national and international commitments of WWT and recycling.
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1 US Dollar = 71.2 Indian Rupees in December, 2019.
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Acknowledgement
Author is thankful to the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. Author also thank Ms. Nikita Kakwani for proof reading the manuscript.
Funding
The work received funding to the author by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India through the projects “Innovation Centre for Eco-prudent Wastewater Solutions (IC-EcoWS)” project number DST/TM/ WTI/WIC/2K17/83(G) and “Fast Forward to SDG6: Acceptable and Affordable Water in Secondary Indian Cities (4WARD)” project number DST/TM/EWO/WTI/2K19/UWS-03(C4).
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Kalbar, P.P. Hybrid treatment systems: a paradigm shift to achieve sustainable wastewater treatment and recycling in India. Clean Techn Environ Policy 23, 1365–1373 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-021-02034-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-021-02034-x