The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Organic liquid decomposer being tested in Tambaram Municipality

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Organic liquid decomposer being tested in Tambaram Municipality

Special Correspondent

Week-long pilot project to combat foul smell, insects

Photo: A.Muralitharan

Eco-friendly: An organic liquid decomposer being demonstrated at a market in West Tambaram on Thursday. —

TAMBARAM: After the Alandur Municipality that tried volcanic ash as a bio-remediation technique to combat sewage-related problems, the Tambaram Municipality has initiated a week-long pilot project using an ‘organic liquid decomposer’ to tackle problems of foul smell and insects in public places, especially near markets, public toilets and open sewers.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Manik Thapar, founder of the Canada-based Ecowise Waste Management, and E. Mani, Tambaram Municipal Chairman, said that efficiency of the decomposer would be tested in a week-long pilot project at two locations – the West Tambaram market and near the Ranganathapuram lake.

Mr. Thapar said the organic liquid decomposer was made from extracts of 99 plants and herbs and also from cow’s urine, a traditional Indian disinfectant.

On how the decomposer worked, he said it would release aerobic bacteria when sprayed on a pile of garbage or an open sewer, thereby increasing the oxygen content.

While foul smell would be eliminated first, mosquitoes and flies would be killed a little later. One litre of this liquid, that costs about Rs.300, could be mixed in 10 litres of water and sprayed on around one tonne of garbage for effective results.

Pointing out that spots around public conveniences were an eyesore and a source of foul smell, Mr. Thapar said the liquid decomposer could be used to eliminate the stench. Similar projects were being implemented in Agra, Ghaziabad and Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Compared to conventional chemical disinfectants, the organic decomposer would not damage the environment, nor affect residents or sanitary staff. The organic decomposer could also be used in anti-mosquito fogging operations. The officials said that at present they were using Pyrethran and Batex chemicals to disinfect sewers and garbage heaps in public spots.

Demonstration

Earlier in the day, a demonstration of the use of the organic liquid decomposer spray was made at the fish market in West Tambaram.

“The immediate effects and results are encouraging. We have to measure it after one week, analyse the results and take a decision later after consultations with the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply,” Mr. Mani said. D. Kamaraj, vice-chairman and L.S. Girija, commissioner, were also present.

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