(Isstories Editorial):- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Aug 28, 2025 (Issuewire.com) – Kerala has emerged as the first and only state in India to successfully deploy 23 fully operational Mobile Septage Treatment Units (MTUs), establishing a national benchmark in decentralized and sustainable liquid waste management.
This pioneering move marks a historic shift in sanitation infrastructure, directly tackling the challenges of public health, groundwater contamination, and illegal waste disposal, while ensuring sanitation services are accessible, accountable, and environmentally sustainable.
A Model for India
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The MTU initiative is fully aligned with the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) and is endorsed by key national bodies, including the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), and the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Hon. Minister for Local Self-Government, Shri M.B. Rajesh, said:
“Fecal sludge management through MTUs is now a top priority for our government, particularly as we face rising public health concerns due to e.Coli contamination in drinking water wells across Kerala. Addressing these issues proactively through decentralized wastewater treatment is esential for safeguarding public health and maintaining environmental integrity.”
Policy Backing and Legal Compliance
To ensure the sustainability of the initiative, the Kerala government has integrated IS 2470 (1985) guidelines for septic tank construction into the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR) and Kerala Panchayat Building Rules (KPBR). In 2023, a Self-Declaration Government Order was issued, making compliance mandatory for all new constructions- losing a long-standing regulatory gap in sanitation infrastructure.
Technology Meets Field Reality
Bhouma Envirotech Pvt Ltd, the implementing agency behind these MTUs, has deployed units equipped with:
Advanced wastewater treatment systems
Remote monitoring technology
Onboard water quality testing laboratories
A highly trained, uniformed operational team
The units are uniquely designed to treat both IS 2470-compliant tanks and older, non-standard septic systems, ensuring wider applicability in Kerala’s diverse sanitation landscape.
Mr. Asif Mohammed, Director of Bhouma Envirotech Pvt Ltd, told the media:
“The MTUs are not just vehicles-they are mobile treatment plants. We have combined engineering innovation with ground-level understanding to ensure these units can work in both compliant and older, non-standard septic tanks. Our goal is to offer a scientific, transparent, and accessible service that addresses the root cause of contamination rather than just managing the symptoms.”
A Direct Answer to Environmental Challenges
Illegal disposal of untreated septage has historically led to serious groundwater pollution, disease outbreaks, and ecosystem degradation. The MTUs now offer a legal, safe, and verifiable alternative-transforming a public health challenge into a managed, trackable process.
By providing equitable access across urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, the initiative ensures no household is left behind-supporting social equity alongside environmental protection.
A Replicable Model for the Nation
Kerala’s deployment is already drawing attention from other states looking to replicate its success. The combination of policy reform, technology integration, and operational discipline offers a roadmap for scaling sustainable sanitation solutions nationwide.
Media Contact:
[email protected]
http://bhouma.com
Bhouma EnviroTech
