The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Eco-sanitation in malls, complexes favoured

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 19, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Eco-sanitation in malls, complexes favoured

Alladi Jayasri

Bangalore: If the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has its way, waterless urinals might soon become the norm in malls, commercial complexes and even Government offices in a bid to conserve water, and even retrieve nutrients such as nitrates that can be released into the soil over time.

"The Taj Mahal complex in Agra the iconic architectural wonder, has converted to water-less urinals, and is already counting the considerable savings over water usage and disposal of waste water," KSPCB Chairman H.C. Sharatchandra told The Hindu .

Mr. Sharatchandra has begun championing the cause of eco-sanitation by factoring in the "waterless urinals" clause in the consent granted by the board for building projects. He has issued consent for a some projects.

Public places such as airports, bus terminals, shopping areas could be retrofitted with eco-toilets that leave no smell, nor use precious water.

"In fact, the Board will put in the clause for five-star and other luxury hotels which are annually inspected for sanitation standards, and encourage them to go for these toilets," Mr. Sharatchandra said.

Most large campuses were eco-savvy and already have features such as rainwater harvesting and water recycling for non-potable purposes, he added.

For those who think they can back out saying there is no access to technology, or this could just be a "western concept that is being dumped on developing countries," Jan-Olaf Drangert, a water and environmental studies expert from Sweden, has an answer.

Dr. Drangert, who is Director, EcoSanRes, a programme of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to train people and disseminate information on new options in sanitation, says eco-sanitation can be a solution for any population, urban or rural, where the pressure on water is too much, and sanitation cannot support measures to reduce environmental health risks, or protect water resources.

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