Awareness Drive on Wastewater Treatment and Recycling for Environmental Cleanliness

26 December 2025, Dehradun

As part of Swachhta Pakhwada 2025 (16–31 December), the ICAR–Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun organized an Awareness Drive on Wastewater Purification and Recycling today at its campus.

Principal Scientist and Officer-in-Charge (PME & KM Unit), delivered an informative lecture on water purification, quality maintenance, wastewater disposal, and recycling for environmental sustainability. He highlighted the institute’s “Jalopchar” wastewater treatment system, installed to treat wastewater generated from official residential quarters. He explained that Jalopchar is based on the Plant–Microbe–Media–Sand–Stone filter interaction approach, a nature-based solution that uses plant species such as Typha latifolia and Arundo donax to remove heavy metals, household chemical pollutants, nitrogenous wastes, and microbial contaminants. The system is eco-friendly, operating without large filters, aerators, or harmful chemicals, and supports water reuse amid growing water scarcity.

The senior officials elaborated on the system’s key components, including selected macrophytes, layered sand–stone filter media, inlet strainers, water-level monitoring units, and storage tanks. They explained the synergistic role of plants and microbes in pollutant removal and emphasized that treatment efficiency depends on plant selection and microbial activity.

The programme saw participation from about 45 individuals, including scientists, technical and housekeeping staff, trainee students, and local residents.

The awareness drive enhanced participants’ understanding of water quality management, wastewater treatment technologies, and recycling practices, reinforcing sustainable approaches to water conservation and environmental cleanliness.

(Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun)