Millions Spent on Sewage Treatment Plants, But They’re Not Working as Expected

In Jhapa, two sewage treatment plants built with an investment of millions of rupees are not operating at full capacity.

The plants, located in Mechinagar Municipality, were constructed with financial support from the Asian Development Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as cost-sharing from the Ministry of Water Supply and the local government.

The treatment plant in Duhagadhi has the capacity to treat 27 cubic meters of sewage per day, while the plant in Bhansa Khola can treat 12 cubic meters per day.

The goal of the plants is to convert sewage into compost and safe water.

However, Premraj Ghimire, secretary of the Charamali Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Consumer Committee, says that despite having the necessary infrastructure, tankers, and manpower, the plants are not functioning properly due to a lack of a system to bring all the sewage to the treatment plants.

He also notes that the revenue generated from service charges is not enough to cover the operating costs.

Dipak Prasad Pokharel, chief of the Kankadbhitta Water Supply and Sanitation Consumer Committee, also confirms that the plants are not operating at full capacity and that the operating costs are higher than the revenue generated.

Gopal Chandra Budhathoki, chief of Mechinagar Municipality, says that the municipality is planning to introduce a policy that requires private septic tankers to register with the municipality and imposes fines and legal action on those who dispose of sewage indiscriminately.

He adds that the municipality is preparing to implement the law and regulations related to sanitation and sewage management to operate the treatment plants at full capacity.

Experts in the sanitation sector have warned that if the sewage from septic tanks is not managed properly, it can lead to environmental pollution and have serious consequences for public health.