Jhapa, July 23: Two faecal sludge treatment plants, built with millions of rupees in Mechinagar Municipality in Jhapa district, have yet to operate at full capacity due to policy gaps, poor regulation of private septic tanks and a limited supply of faecal sludge.
The plants were constructed in Duhagadhi and Bhansakhola of the municipality about seven years ago in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ministry of Drinking Water and the local government.
The plant at Duhagadhi has the capacity to process 27 cubic metres of faecal sludge daily, while the one at Bhansakhola can process 12 cubic metres. After processing, the plants produce compost manure and filtered water.
Prem Raj Ghimire, Secretary of the Charali Small Town Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Organization, said they have faced difficulties supplying enough faecal sludge to the centre despite having the tankers and human resources. He added that the amount collected as a service charge remains insufficient to cover expenses.
Similarly, Dipak Prasad Pokharel, Chief of the Kakarbhitta Drinking Water Users and Sanitation Organization, admitted that the plants could not run at full capacity, as operating costs exceed income.
Mayor of Mechinagar Municipality, Gopalchandra Budhathoki, said the municipality is introducing a policy to make registration mandatory for private septic tankers and that those who discharge sludge carelessly will be fined.
Mayor Budhathoki pledged to bring the plants to full-scale operation by enforcing laws on sanitation and faecal sludge management. #nepal #rss
