Page 18 - Swachhata Chronicles – Transformative Tales from India (eBook)

The twin-pit toilet system provides the best form of FSM as it provides in-situ treatment, thus
avoiding the need for the collection-transport-treatment method of waste management. It is
therefore recommended that the conversion of single pits to twin pits be prioritized, where
possible, in all Districts. Where twin-pit systems are not feasible, other similar options, such
as toilet-linked biogas plants and vermicomposting toilets, can be adopted.

Under the ODF Sustainability initiative, DDWS promotes retrofitting of existing single-pit
toilets into twin-pit toilets and connection of septic tank toilets to air vents and soak pits. It
also aims to generate awareness about the safe disposal of faecal sludge in rural households.

As per the DDWS funding norms, each District can avail Rs. 230 per capita (in rural population)
for FSM.

Greywater Management (GWM)

Wastewater from water collection points and households overflowing on the village paths
or stagnating in low-lying areas is common in villages, particularly during the monsoons.
The adverse effects of unsafe disposal of wastewater on human health are quite serious
and pervasive. Stagnant ponds of wastewater or improper drains in villages can lead to
increased risks of exposure to diseases such as malaria, dengue and filariasis. The increasing
amount of wastewater generated, if not treated properly, can also lead to contamination of
groundwater through natural percolation.

Therefore, the SBM-G Phase-II guidelines propose that GWM interventions be undertaken in
convergence with the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in villages, as envisaged
in the Village Action Plan (VAP). The amount of greywater and its flow and discharge
arrangements should be taken into consideration while designing GWM interventions.

DDWS has allocated adequate funds for GWM. Under its funding norms, villages having a
population less than or equal to 5,000 are entitled to Rs. 280 per capita, and villages having
a population greater than 5,000 can avail Rs. 660 per capita.

Capacity Building
Capacity strengthening is vital for ensuring the sustainability of ODF status of villages and
taking up the ODF Plus agenda. The success of such initiatives is directly linked to motivated
and capacitated District and Block officials as well as Gram Panchayat (GP) level functionaries
such as Sarpanches, village secretaries, and Swachhagrahis. It is critical to strengthen the
capacities of the village functionaries regarding their role in transforming their villages into
model ODF Plus villages and equip them with the relevant subject knowledge and technical
know-how to achieve the desired results.

In order to reach out to all GPs in the country, a large pool of field trainers is required. The
DDWS proposes to create a pool of competent human resources to cater to the capacity
building needs of GPs in a cascading mode. As part of this initiative, four field trainers will
be identified from each District to be trained through 5-day Training of Trainers (ToTs).
The trained Master Trainers (MTs) will in turn train Sarpanches, village secretaries and
Swachhagrahis through 3-day training programmes.

xvi Swachhata Chronicles: Transformative Tales from India