The Karnal Technology for treated water irrigation plan for ETP 500 KLD capacity

 

The Karnal Technology for treated water irrigation plan for ETP 500 KLD Capacity

 

The Karnal Technology involves growing tree on ridges 1m wide and 50cm high  and disposing of the treated effluent in furrows.  The amount of the  effluents to be disposed off depends upon the age, type of plants, climatic conditions, soil texture and quality of effluents.  The total discharge of effluent is so regulated that it is consumed within 12-18 hours and there is no standing water left in the trenches.  Through this technique, it is possible to dispose off 0.3 to 1.0 ML of effluent per day per hectare. This technique utilizes the entire biomass as living filter for supplying nutrients to soil and plant; irrigation renovates the effluent for atmospheric re-charge and ground storage.  Further, as forest plants are to be used for fuel wood, timber or pulp, there is no chance of pathogens, heavy metals and organic compounds to enter into the human food chain system, a point that is a limiting factor when vegetables or other crops are grown with sewage.

Though most of the plants are suitable for utilizing the effluents, yet, those tree species which are fast growing can transpire high amounts of water and are able to with stand high moisture content in the root environment are most suitable for such purposes.  Eucalyptus is one such species, which has the capacity to transpire large amounts of water, and remains active through out the year . 

Other species suitable for this purpose are poplar and leucaena.  Out of these three species, eucalyptus seems to be the best choice as poplar remains dormant in winter and thus cannot bio-drain effluent during winter months , However, if area is available and the volume of effluent is small, a combination of popular and eucalyptus is the best propagation.
This technology for effluent water use is relatively cheap and no major capital is involved.  The expenditure of adopting this technology involves cost of making ridges, cost of plantation and their care.

This system generates gross returns from the sale of fuel wood.  The sludge accumulating in the furrows along with the decaying forest litter can be exploited as an additional source of revenue.
As the sewage water itself provides nutrients and irrigation ameliorates the sodic soil by lowering the pH, relatively unfertile wastelands can be used for this purpose.  This technology is economically viable as it involves only the cost of water conveyance from source to fields for irrigation and does not require highly skilled personnel as well.  This technology seems to be most appropriate and economical viable proposition for the rural areas as this technology is used to raise forestry, which would aid in re-storing environment and to generate biomass

 

Treated water Irrigation Plan

 

The Karnal Technology involves growing tree on ridges 1m wide and 50cm high  and disposing of the treated effluent in furrows.  The amount of the  effluents to be disposed off depends upon the age, type of plants, climatic conditions, soil texture and quality of effluents.  The total discharge of effluent is so regulated that it is consumed within 12-18 hours and there is no standing water left in the trenches.  Through this technique, it is possible to dispose off 0.3 to 1.0 ML of effluent per day per hectare .Using waste water for irrigation increases soil microorganisms' activity. When soil is irrigated with Treated water rather than freshwater, the hydrolysis activity is greater, which is connected to the microorganisms' breakdown of dissolved organic carbon (DOC)). Increased activity may result in better soil fertility because 90% of soil processes are facilitated by soil bacteria. Several actions in agricultural production can aid in the germination of seeds and increase crop output. Through the breakdown of organic materials, microbial activity in the soil helps release nutrients and promote plant development. Moreover, microorganisms are crucial for preserving the connections between plants and soil. The rate of cellulose decomposition may accelerate if there are more microorganisms in the soil. Moreover, nitrogen cycling and degradation in soil are maintained by microorganisms. They are also in charge of changing nutrients from organic to inorganic forms so plants can absorb them. Researchers have discovered that certain microorganisms can work as removing agents for pesticides, medicines, and heavy metals, maintaining plant quality. Growing plant development, maintaining soil quality, and safeguarding crops from pollutants are all aided by the increased microbial variety in the soil.

A typical drip irrigation system consists of the following components:

1.  Treated water storage tank

2.  Pump                    

3.  Control                 

4.  Main    and  submain lines

5.  Laterals

6.    Emitters or drippers.

7.  Tree Eucalyptus

 

1.  Treated water storage tank has been designed for one day storage capacity.

2.  the pump unit takes water from the source and provides the right pressure for delivery into the pipe system. Company has proposed to install 2 nos 10hp high pressure pump for irrigation .

3.  The control head consists of valves to control the discharge and pressure In the entire system. It may also have filters to clear the water. Common types of filters include screen filters and graded sand filters which remove fine material suspended in the water. Some control head units contain a fertilizer or nutrient tank. These slowly add a measured dose of fertilizer into the water during irrigation. This is one of the major advantages of drip irrigation over other methods.

4.  Mainlines, submains and laterals supply water from the control head into the fields. They are usually made from PVC or polyethylene hose and should be buried below ground because they easily degrade when exposed to direct solar radiation. Lateral pipes are usually 13-32 mm diameter.

5.  Emitters or drippers are devices used to control the discharge of water from the lateral to the plants. They are usually spaced more than 1 metre apart with one or more emitters used for a single plant such as a tree. For row crops more closely spaced emitters may be used to wet a strip of soil. Many different emitter designs have been produced in recent years. The basis of design is to produce an emitter which will provide a specified constant discharge which does not vary much with pressure changes, and does not block easily

 

6.   approx. 300 Tree Eucalyptus is proposed to plant for treated water disposal .

 

• Area Requirement for Plantation in a 500 KLD ETP:

 

SR No	Item	Specification	Req. Area	Available Area
1	Treated effluent discharge from ETP    Qty=500   Cum/day	Trench area covered for plantation=1m wide X 50cm high	Minimum =300Cum/day/hectare	500/300=1.67 Hectare. Safe is 2 Hectare