Anwar Khursheed

Modified septic tank-anaerobic filter unit as a two-stage onsite domestic wastewater treatment system

This study demonstrates the performance evaluation of a uniquely designed two-stage system for onsite treatment of domestic wastewater. The system consisted of two upflow anaerobic bioreactors, a modified septic tank followed by an upflow anaerobic filter, accommodated within a single cylindrical unit. The system was started up without inoculation at 24 h hydraulic retention time (HRT). It achieved a steady-state condition after 120 days. The system was observed to be remarkably efficient in removing pollutants during steady-state condition with the average removal efficiency of 88.6±3.7% for chemical oxygen demand, 86.3±4.9% for biochemical oxygen demand and 91.2±9.7% for total suspended solids. The microbial analysis revealed a high reduction (>90%) capacity of the system for indicator organism and pathogens. It also showed a very good endurance against imposed hydraulic shock load. Tracer study showed that the flow pattern was close to plug flow reactor. Mean HRT was also found to be close to the designed value.

Impairment in water quality of Ganges River and consequential health risks on account of mass ritualistic bathing

Abstract Effect of mass ritualistic bathing was studied on the water quality of Ganges River during Maha Kumbh festival in India. Significantly higher values of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (14 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (67 mg/L), total suspended solids (55 mg/L), and ammonia nitrogen (2.15 mg/L) were observed during mass ritualistic bathing. The BOD values were observed to surpass the standard BOD criteria ( 3 mg/L) of outdoor bathing. Similarly, higher number of total coliforms (792 most probable numbers [MPN]/100 mL) and fecal coliforms (482 MPN/100 mL) were observed in water samples, which show the alarming level of fecal contamination according to Indian and European (100 MPN/100 mL) standards of outdoor bathing. Furthermore, total 5,368 cases of water borne infections were observed during the epidemiological survey. In order to protect the public health and water quality of river, it is recommended to strictly regulate the bathing practices with continuous disinfection at upstream of bathing ...

Fate of coliforms and pathogenic parasite in four full-scale sewage treatment systems in India

The occurrence and removal of fecal indicators (total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), fecal streptococci (FS)) and pathogens (helminthes eggs) were studied in various municipal wastewater treatment processes (UASB + FPU, ASP, EA, WSP). The reductions in TC and FC concentrations were usually between 2.0 and 2.5 log units in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor incorporated with final polishing unit (UASB + FPU). Almost similar reduction was observed in activated sludge process system (ASP) and waste stabilization ponds system (WSP), while it was log 3.0 in extended aeration system (EA). UASB + FPU and WSP systems were observed more efficient to reduce helminthes eggs at almost 100%, whereas only 97% removal was observed in case of ASP and EA system. In addition to monitoring of indicator organisms, turbidity, suspended solids (SS), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) were used as indirect measure of the potential presence of microorganisms. Interrelationship of BOD, SS, and turbidity with fecal indicator bacteria concentration in influent and effluent manifest that improvement of the microbiological quality of wastewater is strongly linked to the removal of BOD and SS.

High rate composting of herbal pharmaceutical industry solid waste

High rate composting studies of hard to degrade herbal wastes were conducted in a 3.5 m(3) capacity rotary drum composter. Studies were spread out in four trials: In trial 1 and 2, one and two turns per day rotation was observed, respectively, by mixing of herbal industry waste with cattle (buffalo) manure at a ratio of 3:1 on wet weight basis. In trial 3 inocula was added in raw waste to enhance the degradation and in trial 4 composting of a mixture of vegetable market waste and herbal waste was conducted at one turn per day. Results demonstrated that the operation of the rotary drum at one turn a day (trial 1) could provide the most conducive composting conditions and co-composting (trial 4) gave better quality compost in terms of temperature, moisture, nitrogen, and Solvita maturity index. In addition a FT-IR study also revealed that trial 1 and trial 4 gave quality compost in terms of stability and maturity due to the presence of more intense peaks in the aromatic region and less intense peaks were found in the aliphatic region compared with trial 2 and trial 3.

Operation and maintenance of sewerage systems: present challenges and possible solutions—an Indian experience

A strong focus on increasing gross domestic product to meet demanding needs stretched the country on the brink of overstretching the ecological carrying capacity. Unfortunately, rivers are among th...