Cabinet approves MoC between India & Japan for Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between India and Japan in the areas of Decentralized Domestic Waste Water Management.
The MoC will be taken forward by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti and The Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
A Management Council (MC) will be formed by the executive departments, which will be responsible for the implementation of this MoC by formulating detailed activities of collaboration and monitoring its progress.
Effective reuse of treated wastewater using Johkasou technology
Through this collaboration with Japan, India intends to formulate a ‘Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management’ and ensure the effective reuse of treated wastewater using Johkasou technology.
The decentralized Johkasou systems for the management of wastewater would provide improved implications for the management of grey/ black water from settlements and the sustainability of sources of freshwater with coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission. It will help ULBs to plan better for the complex issue of treating wastewater.
What is Johkasou technology?
Johkasou in Japanese language means, purification Tank. Johkasou products are approved by the government of Japan and are extensively deployed across Japan as a part of government policy. More than 26% of Sewage in Japan is treated through Johkasou systems. Over 8 million Johkasou are running successfully in Japan and several millions are installed in various other countries.
Johkasou-treated water and sludge are easy to reuse; they are primarily designed to treat domestic wastewater from individual houses with relatively few toxic substances in johkasou-treated water and sludge. This makes it possible to reuse these for various purposes.
Expenditure Involved under MoC between India & Japan
The MoC states that there shall be no financial obligations on both the Parties. Moreover, to facilitate the activities under this MOC, case-specific detailed documents such as Pre-Feasibility Reports, Feasibility Reports, and Detailed Project Reports, among others, will be created, covering detailed specifications in the respective areas as well as other pertinent matters such as, if deemed necessary, the financial arrangement of such case-specific programme and Project.
The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation has been planning bilateral cooperation with other countries in the development and management of water resources, which includes the exchange of policy and technical expertise, training courses, workshops, scientific and technical symposia, expert exchanges, and study tours.
In light of the ongoing India-Japan collaboration, this agreement on waste water treatment has been signed with Japan to share knowledge and expertise in the decentralised treatment industry.
