The Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant coming up at Anatharaveli.
| Photo Credit: SURESH ALLEPPEY

The construction of a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) at Anatharaveli in Cherthala is nearing completion. The Cherthala municipality is the first civic body in Alappuzha district to construct an FSTP for the scientific processing of toilet waste.

The project is being implemented at a cost of ₹7.33 crore under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative. Officials said 90% of the construction had been completed. “Currently, plumbing and electrical works are in progress. We are making arrangements to complete the final phase work and make the FSTP operational as soon as possible,” said an official.

The plant is constructed on a piece of land in Thaneermukkom grama panchayat, which is under the possession of the Cherthala municipality. Once completed, the 250-kilolitre-per-day capacity plant will treat waste from Cherthala municipality and nearby grama panchayats. The FSTP is being constructed by a Mumbai-based company, which has signed an agreement with the municipality to maintain the plant for 10 years.

Fertilizer

Officials said that treated sludge would be converted into fertilizer and marketed. “The plant will operate using the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor technology. It will recycle toilet waste and convert solid waste into fertilizer. Once the plant becomes operational, the treated water will be used to irrigate plants in the green belt around the facility and to water gardens along National Highway 66 and other areas,” the official added.

Though the work was awarded in 2022, the project was delayed due to local protests. The protesters moved the Kerala High Court, but the court asked them to approach the government with their concerns. Later, Local Self-Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh intervened and held talks with those opposing the FSTP. At the government’s invitation, the residents visited FSTPs at Muttathara in Thiruvananthapuram and Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, to better understand their functioning.

In February 2023, Mr. Rajesh visited Anatharaveli and held discussions with residents to address their apprehensions.

The district has been facing severe environmental and water pollution issues due to the lack of scientific systems for treating septage. The FSTP is expected to address the issue to some extent.