Institutional Best Practices

Best Practice 1

Title: Dynamic Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) 600 KLD, Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) 10 KLD and Disinfectant System 500 litres/Day for effective waste-water recycling.

Objectives of the Practice:

Objectives:

1. To effectively decontaminate and remove the toxicants, pollutants from the liquid bio-medical waste generated from the hospital source
2. To proficiently treat the liquid bio-waste generated from the kitchen and another domestic source
3. To recycle the decontaminated and treated water for irrigation
4. To prevent the harmful effects of bio-medical waste
5. To comply with the regulations stipulated by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

The Context:

The general waste created by regular activities in the Hospital, College, Hostel, Residential quarters and other service areas is removed through the STP for which we ensure the discharge of treated water back to the environment. STP removes the suspended solids and organic matter since the activated sludge is a large population of bacteria and other micro-organisms that break down organic matter and can stimulate de-nitrification of nitrogen if appropriate conditions are provided. The Disinfectant System (DIS) effectively decontaminates the bio-medical waste generated from the hospital.

The Practice

The STP, located near the Animal house has a capacity of 600 kilolitres/Day (KLD) works on the principle of SBR (Sequential Batch Reactor) technology and is automated.

The liquid waste generated is decontaminated in the STP plant with sodium hypo-chloride or chlorine dioxide solution, to kill the bacteria and then sent through the disk and carbon filters. After this, it is collected in the wastewater collection tank and then reaches the STP. The disinfected effluent from the hospital and the domestic wastewater in STP is further treated to generate water with permissible levels of various components.

The plant is well maintained with regular AMC and the water generated is certified from laboratories so that it is recycled for irrigation purpose.

To dispose of the harmful effects of liquid, the bio-medical waste and protect the health care workers, patients and general public, the institute has installed an efficient and advanced ETP with the help of Clar Aqua Pvt. Ltd is located closer to the laundry, has a capacity of 10 kilolitres/Day (KLD) and runs on the principle of SBR technology.

The automated plant has reduced the direct contact with the hazardous material, protecting the workers from infectious diseases. Additionally, preventive measures are taken such as the provision of gloves, eye protection, uniforms etc., to the ETP plant workers safeguarding their health.

The automated Disinfectant System, located in the Operation Theatre and the Laboratory, has a capacity of 500 litres/Day and runs on the principle of the SBR technology to treat Bio-medical wastewater.

Evidence of Success

The treated water from the STP, ETP and DIS is colourless and odourless and has been certified by the laboratory for safe usage for irrigation, toilet flushing etc. The treated water is recycled to irrigate 15 acres of lawns and gardens, maintaining the green campus throughout the year including the dry spells of summer. We even organise our college sports and cultural event (Affinity) every year, during the month of May, without any water scarcity issues. Participants from around 30 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu take part in this events.

Best Practice 2:

Title: Multiple rainwater harvesting structures conserving rainwater.

Objectives:  

1. To conserve rainwater to meet the increasing demand
2. To raise the groundwater level
3. To preclude wastage of rainwater by preventing loss from run-off
4. To improve the output from bore wells and prevent their drying

The Context:

The rainwater harvesting process involves collecting, conveying and storing water from an area that has been treated to increase the run-off of rainfall. KIMS & RC is located in Kanchipuram district where rainfall is scarce and has poor groundwater level. The institute has a 550 bedded hospital with undergraduate (yearly intake of 100 students) and postgraduate courses. 70 % of the students are staying on campus. With a high demand for water and low water supply, it is important to conserve rainwater to meet the demands.

The Practice

To meet the increasing demands of water, the institute has installed rainwater harvesting at five locations as follows:

1. At roofing of auditorium
2. Roof of girl’s hostel
3. Allied health hostel roof
4. Roofing of staff quarters
5. Roof of the college building

Rainwater Harvesting Process:

• Rainwater falling on the roofs act as catchment areas and the water collected flows into pipes connected and build on the walls of the building.
• The pipes drain the water into a deep tank called the Lilly Pond, situated on the Northeast corner of our campus.
• Once the water in Lilly Pond reaches the surface, after settling down of the debris, these tanks have filters, meshes etc. to purify the water.
• The purified water is allowed to flow into the sump directly to recharge the bore wells.

In addition to this, the institute has built a surface water tank of 6X6 ft and depth of 7.5 ft storage capacity of 7650 litres, which collects rainwater and prevents its run-off.

Evidence of Success:

The output from the bore wells located adjacent to the rain harvesting structures has increased water output and does not dry even in the summer. Severe water scarcity which was seen a couple of years back has been reduced in the college campus.  Increasing groundwater level is evident from the lush green lawns with flowering gardens even during summer.

Due to multiple rain harvesting structures Institution is able to meet water demands during the summer season. Many universities, institutes are shutting down during summer for lack of water. But our college organise sports and cultural event (Affinity), during the month of May without any water scarcity.