Punjabi University to separate hostel wastewater discharge

Utilisation of hostel as Covid care centre

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 12

Fearing the spread of Covid-19 through sewage, Punjabi University has now decided to separate wastewater discharge of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur hostel from the university’s main sewer line.

The step is being taken in view of the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s (PPCB) guidelines to avoid utilisation of wastewater from healthcare facilities. The hostel is to be used as a Covid care centre by the district administration to keep Covid-19 positive patients in emergent situations.

Residents on the campus have been against the decision of the utilisation of three hostels as Covid care centres stating that all wastewater on the campus is treated at the STP and later utilised for the horticulture purpose. They expressed apprehensions that mixing of discharge from the Covid care centre with the rest could spread Covid-19. However, the administration assured that all precautions will be taken.

According to sources on the campus, the district administration also agreed to utilise only one hostel for the purpose in an emergent situation, but administrative officials said no decision of the sort took place.

The university has now decided to separate the wastewater discharge of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur hostel in view of the guidelines of the PPCB.

The guidelines state: “Health care facilities (HCFs) should ensure disinfection of treated wastewater as per the prevailing practice to inactivate Covid-19 virus. During the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, utilisation of treated wastewater in utilities within the HCFs may be avoided.”

Dr Rajinder Singh, assistant professor, forensic science at the university and coordinator of the university residents’ association, said the administrative officials on the campus held a meeting today.

“The plan for segregation and further process will be completed in a few days,” he said.

Krunesh Garg, Chief Environmental Engineer, PPCB, said the guidelines had been given as part of those issued regarding disposal of bio-medical waste. He said: “Effluents are being discharged from healthcare facilities. Therefore, the discharged water should be disinfected with sodium hypochlorite so that it may not spread with wastewater.”

He said the wastewater from the HFCs should be separated from other discharge, treated, disinfected and then used for purposes other than flushing or in water closets where it may come into contact with people.”