BMC MECHANIZES UNDERGROUND SEWER MAINTENANCE

In developing countries, like India, the population within sewered areas in prime metros have always been unaware of the importance of underground drainage maintenance. These conduits (sewers) beneath the streets, that can carry away the untreated waste water to the point of treatment and disposal, undoubtedly have done more to improve the quality of life in a community than any other social or technological advance. But since this investment is hidden beneath the ground, it is out of sight and tends to be neglected. It is only when a severe problem arises that people realize drainage maintenance is an important environmental issue which if not attended to, causes widespread diseases, contamination of drinking water and in certain cases, death !. Due to the present awareness levels, the maintenance authorities at the BMC have now discarded the age-old inhuman method of using manual labour for cleaning drains and adopt the more effective ‘preventive’ approach using mechanized methods of sewer cleaning. These methods are in line with practices adopted worldwide.

‘BMC has now a systematic sewer maintenance program which uses state of the art mobile sewer cleaners. These Jetsuc cleans sewer and storm water drains by a combination of Jetting and Suction auctions, taking place simultaneously. The blockages and settled sludge materials ion the pipeline are flushed by high pressure jets and collected towards the manhole from where it is sucked into its own tank. The sludge material is then discharged at the right place ion an environmentally friendly and hygienic manner. Jetsuc’ sewer cleaners are a part of procurement program of BMC and have been supplied by M/s. IPWT, Mumbai, who are the pioneers in such environmental technology, worldwide. The unit is a product of in-house development program, that has over the years earned as reputation for designing such products of specialized use and lasting value. It is understood that BMC intends to continue this sewer maintenance program which includes creating higher awareness levels for the citizen groups in Mumbai.