1 ASEI Sanitation Project ‘A Vision For Change’ Presented at the 2008 ASEI Sanitation Symposium February 9, 2008 Sharanpal (Paul) Sikand Jayant (Jay) Patel American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI) American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI)

2 Abstract Lack of sanitation in India and other developing countries has a major health and environmental impact. Human and animal waste is contaminating the land, rivers, lakes and ground water. This causes major outbreaks of water borne diseases including cholera, polio, hepatitis, typhoid, etc. Over 500,000 children die annually due to cholera. ASEI is launching a project to improve sanitation in the rural areas of India, where 70% of the population resides. The goal of the project is to develop an economical, low maintenance, self powered sanitation system for Indian villages to safely collect and dispose off human and animal waste without damaging the environment. The system will provide bio-gas and electricity as renewable energy. The by-products will be bio-fertilizer and the effluent water will be treated for irrigation. The presentation describes a process of engaging university students in a design competition to develop the optimum technology for the project. This project will be accomplished in three phases that include design development, prototype pilot tests and production tests of the sanitation system. The final sanitation system design will be made available as an open source technology to all government and non-government organizations (NGO) in India, the United Nations and all developing countries. ASEI

3 Agenda Need for sanitation project Benefits Approach Technology Financial Social Next Steps ASEI

4 Mission Improve sanitation in the rural areas of India ASEI

5 Why Sanitation in rural areas?  70% of Indians live in rural areas (over 700M)  Less than 10% of homes in villages have toilets  Human waste is contaminating the land, rivers, lakes and ground water  Contaminated water causes water borne diseases: cholera, polio, hepatitis, typhoid, etc  Over half a million children die annually due to water borne diseases ASEI

6 Benefits  Creates sanitary conditions  Reduces water borne diseases  Provides renewable energy, bio-fertilizer and water for irrigation  Environmental friendly  Technology exchange between the US and India  Builds partnerships between US and Indian Engineering schools  Creates employment and business opportunities  Potential benefit to all developing countries ASEI

7 Sanitation Project is consistent with the ASEI Mission:  Technology Exchange  Improve the quality of life thru technology  Entrepreneurship  Humanitarian & civic projects  Engineering education ASEI

8 Approach  Develop an integrated roadmap to address technical, social & financial plans  Establish non-profit foundation & solicit sponsors  Form management team  Develop execution plan  Execute ASEI

9 Technology Plan  Design Competition at US & Indian Engineering schools: June, 08  Pilot tests: December, 08  Production tests: December, 09 ASEI Roadmap

10 Design Criteria  Use existing or new technology  Economical and Low maintenance  Self powered  By products: bio-gas, bio- fertilizer, electric power, water for irrigation  Environmental friendly ASEI

11 ASEI Conceptual Plan of Sanitation System Bio-gas Waste Treatment Unit Bio-degradable Waste: Human, animal, Farm, kitchen, etc Treated Water - Irrigation Bio Fertilizer Electricity

12 ASEI Conceptual Design of a Sanitation System Water Treatment Pit Chlorination (8’x 6’x6’) Women Men Septic Pit Anaerobic process (12’x 6’x 6’) App 2700 gal Solid Treatment Pit (8’x 6’x 6’) Animal Waste Green Waste Pit Anaerobic (20’x 6’ x6’) Fertilizer Pit (8’x 6’x 6’) P S P P = Pump S = StrainerC = Compressor Notes: 1.All pits are reinforced concrete with fiberglass. Pits are 5-feet below and extend 1-foot above ground 2.Above system will handle waste from a village community of up to about 100 people and 50 cows/buffaloes /goats 3.System is estimated to provide Bio-gas to 25 homes for cooking and fuel for a 7.5 KW electric generator COMMUNITY TOILETS 5’ABOVE GROUND W/ WATER TANK ON ROOF Water for Irrigation Gas for cooking P Bio-Gas Electric Generator Power Pack Solar PanelsWater Heater Electric Power C Bio Fertilizer S P

13 Phase 1: Design Competition  Define Requirements  Select and sponsor Engineering schools in US and in India for design competition - Pair up Indian and US schools as teams  Obtain funding for project  Competing teams to design the sanitation system  Down select two designs Estimated Budget for Phase 1: $ 25,000 Target Completion date: June, 2008 ASEI Proposed Technology Roadmap

14 Phase 2: Pilot Test  Sponsor selected student teams to develop & build full scale prototype sanitary systems  Select site for the pilot test in India  Teams to conduct tests for three months  Submit Report  Down select one design and optimize for production tests Estimated Budget for Phase 2: $75,000 Target Completion date: December, 2008 ASEI Proposed Technology Roadmap

15 Phase 3: Production Test  Build five production systems  Select five villages in India for production tests  Install the five units in the selected villages  Conduct tests for six months with support of the student team and local village authorities  Optimize design Estimated Budget for Phase 3: $ 150,000 Target Completion date: December, 2009 ASEI Proposed Technology Roadmap

16 Technology Sharing Share the technology developed as open source with:  World Health Organization (UN)  Governments and NGO’s in all developing countries ASEI

17 Financial Plan Establish a non-profit foundation to seek funds from:  Corporations in the US & India  United Nations  Foundations such as Gates, Clinton, Oprah  World Bank  ASEI membership and Indian community  Indian Organizations  Other ASEI

18 Social Plan  Education on sanitation for children and adults  Partnerships with organizations: Gramalaya, Gram Vikas, Sulabh, Ekal, Pratham, etc  Utilize media  Leverage local village authorities  Create incentives ASEI

19 Next Steps  Design Competition: in works  Establish Foundation: In works  Develop Partnerships ASEI Let us all get involved to make a difference