FAQs on TNUSSP – TNUSSP

What are the key ingredients that need to be in place for this to work in other contexts outside Tamil Nadu and India?

Tnussp — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 11:39:58 +0000

There are many elements that contribute towards the scaling and adoption of FSM. For instance, in TN there was commitment from the Govt. towards ensuring sanitation for all and a willingness to collaborate to achieve this.

The GoTN leveraged the optimal utilisation of existing treatment facilities through a cluster approach which minimised investments and resources requirements. This provided a platform for demonstration and adoption of different approaches and innovations, which were also highlighted in the webinar.

These are catalysts that could enable scaling of FSM in other contexts, and hence, are being advocated at the national level and adopted by other states across the country.

What can we do with purified water other than irrigation? Can you give your safe reuse techniques?

Tnussp — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:33:28 +0000

It can be used for groundwater recharge, hedge plantation, construction activities, and in industries for cooling and other secondary uses.

Is there a regulatory body that oversees the FSM operations?

Tnussp — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 08:26:29 +0000

The Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department is the principal agency in Tamil Nadu overseeing urban water supply and sanitation. Urban Local Bodies enforceonsite sanitation systems (design and build) based on the State-level regulations. The service of collection and conveyance of FS is largely provided by an established market of private operators with minimal regulation from the State through a Government order issued for a Standard Licensing Agreement (SLA). The SLA mandates desludging operators to adopt proper desludging and disposal practices, and safeguard the health and safety of their employees.

The implementation of the State Investment Plan for scaling of treatment facilities across the State is driven by the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration (CMA) which is responsible for municipal corporations and municipalities, and the Directorate of Town Panchayat (DTP) which oversees town panchayats. Government orders have been issued for i) construction of treatment facilities and ii) Memorandum of Understanding between the ULB clusters that govern the co-treatment process and the use of upcoming shared treatment facilities. The treatment of fecal sludge and its disposal is regulated by the standards set by the Pollution Control Board. More details on systems and procedures for FSM in Tamil Nadu can be found here

Opportunities for researchers to access data on the schemes?

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 13:00:48 +0000

Please write to tnussp@iihs.ac.in clarifying on the schemes referred to in the question raised. Our knowledge products can be accessed on our website.

Is there India level/state level guidelines/regulations across India on the pumping, transport and disposal of sludge in individual septic tanks of residential buildings? Its high time that above service providers are enlisted across India, rates fixed and disposal solutions identified.

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:55:33 +0000

There are guidelines available at national and state levels. Septage management advisory can be accessed here.

TN Operative guidelines can be accessed here.

Would you please clarify small urban bodies in terms of population?

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:53:58 +0000

In the context of FSM in Tamil Nadu, small urban local bodies are generally those towns which fall under category III or IV as per Census of India. Class III towns have a population ranging from 20,000 to 49,999 whereas, class IV towns have population ranging between 10,000 and 19,999.

I would like to know how many cities of TN awarded ODF++ in recently announced Swachh Survekshan 2020 result.

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:49:22 +0000

List of all ODF++ certified ULBs can be found here.

TN’s mission is to achieve total sanitation by 2023 and it is in the process of scaling FSM across the State.

What is the scope for the SHGs for their livelihood in FSM?

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:47:20 +0000

SHGs can be empowered to engage in activities throughout the full cycle of sanitation. In the context of TN, for example, SHGs in the city of Tiruchirappalli, namely the Sanitation, Hygiene and Education (SHE) teams, instituted under the WAVE federation, are being institutionally strengthened to manage 150 out of 400 community toilets in the city. Nationally, there are also other examples of SHGs operating desludging services and managing the O&M of FSTPs.

A relevant document from MoHUA on the critical role of CBOs in urban sanitation and waste management can be accessed here to understand best practices.

Are service providers identified across Indian states other than Tamil Nadu and rates for such activities fixed or regulated? Which are the other states that are adopting this model?

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:45:43 +0000

Yes, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra have undertaken some activities in this regard.

Can we replicate Tamil Nadu learnings to other states? What challenges we may face? Please also throw light on how national FSM policy (2017) helped TNUSSP team in reaching the goal??

Tnussp — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:41:00 +0000

Replicating learnings from Tamil Nadu and use in other states is possible. The major challenge may be contextualisation as each state and city has its own character and FSM has to be adapted to suit the needs. Some of the replicable features of TNUSSP initiatives in Tamil Nadu are:

Clustering of Local Bodies (expanded to cover rural areas)
Sharing of FSTP O&M costs between Local Bodies
Ring-fenced account to safeguard funds for O&M of treatment / disposal facilities
Recording details of facilities’ performance to promote transparency and accountability
Standardised licensing system for private desludging operators
Addressing sanitation workers’ safety and welfare requirements through licensing
To tackle the prevalent stigma of ‘NIMBY’ around FSM and sanitation, TN followed co-location of FSTPs in existing MSW sites and RRPs.

Given that the technological options for FSM were new for Tamil Nadu, building capacities of local governments, demonstrating FSM in towns where it is a new concept, and developing an over-arching enabling environment, thereby regulating the whole sector, with institutional buy-in from the government are other key challenges while replicating TN’s efforts. The National FSM policy provided the impetus to the State government to recognise the criticality of FSM.