In a significant step towards a cleaner and healthier Himachal Pradesh, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday between the Jal Shakti Vibhag (JSV) and the Rural Development Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh, for the co-treatment of faecal sludge at existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
The initiative aims to strengthen wastewater management systems and curb pollution in water bodies.
The MoU was signed by the Director, Rural Development Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh, in the presence of the Secretary (Rural Development) and the Engineer-in-Chief, Jal Shakti Vibhag.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), the state has been working to address the growing challenge of faecal sludge management. The Jal Shakti Vibhag has identified 22 existing STPs across the state where infrastructure will be developed to enable co-treatment of faecal sludge.
The Rural Development Department, in collaboration with the WASH Institute, has been conducting surveys, training engineers, and planning sustainable methods for the safe disposal of faecal sludge in rural areas, where most households depend on single-pit toilets.
With increasing population, tourism, and labour influx, these pits often overflow or are emptied into open areas, contaminating rivers, ponds, and streams, leading to serious environmental and health hazards.
As part of the pilot phase, two STPs, one at Palampur in Kangra district and another at Sundernagar in Mandi district, have already been made co-treatment compliant and are fully functional, providing safe sludge treatment for surrounding rural areas.
In the near future, all feasible STPs managed by the Jal Shakti Vibhag will be upgraded for co-treatment, ensuring safe and sustainable faecal sludge management across most parts of rural Himachal. This initiative marks a major stride in protecting the environment and public health.
This collaborative effort reflects the state’s commitment to achieving a clean and green Himachal under the vision of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Representatives from the WASH Institute and Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) were also present on the occasion.
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