Factsheet on Decentralized Wastewater
Treatment Systems (DEWATS) 5
DEWATS FOR SUNGA COMMUNITY
Sunga, Madhyapur Thimi, Nepal
Project Background Salient Features
Sunga is located within the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Source Municipal wastewater
of Bhaktapur district. The wastewater treatment plant was Design Capacity 50m3/d
constructed in 2005 to treat the sewage generated from
No. Users Currently 82hh, designed for 200 hh
200 households in the community which was previously
Peak flow 50m3/d
discharging directly into Siddhikali River. Currently sewage
from 82 households is connected to the system. Influent Quality BOD 1250mg/L
(2010) COD 4032mg/L
The system is a showcase of larger scale application Effluent Quality BOD 70mg/L
of DEWATS for community benefit and community (2010) COD 272mg/L
managed wastewater treatment systems. It has provided Efficiency 94% BOD, 93% COD
a learning opportunity for many students, researchers and
professionals who visit the plant regularly.
DEWATS-Community Based
Kind of Project
Sanitation
Asian Development Bank, UN
Funding Agency
Habitat, Water Aid
Sunga Wastewater Treatment
Implementing Agency
Plant Management Committee
Supporting Organisation ENPHO
Construction Period 2005-2006
Construction Cost NRs. 2,100,000 (US$ 28,188)
Modules Adopted
Purpose
Biogas digester – 1 unit
• To minimise the environmental impact on Siddhikali Digester volume 35 m3
River by diverting the existing sewer through an
ABR – 1 Unit
appropriate wastewater treatment system.
Area Construction 18m2
• To demonstrate a community based wastewater
treatment system. Chambers 3 baffle walls
Depth 2m average
System in Brief Planted Gravel Filter: 2 Horizontal Beds
Surface Area 76m2 each
Diverting the existing sewer through a medium scale
Depth 0.5m average
treatment system prior to discharge into the river, the
system includes the following treatment mechanisms to Filter Material Gravel
achieve the national discharge standards and minimise Plants Used Phragmites karka
environmental impact. Planted Gravel Filter: 2 Vertical Beds
• Bar screen and grit chamber Surface Area 80m2 each
• Biogas plant (currently not in use) Depth 0.55m average
• Settler and ABR Filter Material Gravel
• Two parallel horizontal flow wetlands Plants Used Phragmites karka, Canna latifolia
• Two parallel vertical flow wetlands Planted Gravel Filter: 1 Sludge Drying Bed
• Sludge drying bed
Area 55m2
Filter Media Coarse sand, gravel
Built Up Area 1240m2
Typical Drawing of Components
Biogas Chamber Settler & ABR 2x Horizontal Wetland 2x Vertical Wetland
Operation and Maintenance
The operation and maintenance of the plant is managed
by the “Sunga Wastewater Treatment Plant Management
Committee”. The day to day activities are undertaken by a
paid caretaker from financial support of the municipality.
Daily activities include unclogging the grate, cleaning
the beds and checking the system is operating. Regular
harvesting of plants and desludging of ABR is also
undertaken by the caretaker who was trained in post
construction maintenance activities. A few years ago when
there was a major damage to the wastewater treatment
plant due to heavy rainfall, the management committee
mobilized resources from the municipality and other
sources and did the maintenance. This indicates the Site Photos
ownership of the O&M responsibility by the community,
which is an important factor for sustainability.
Reuse Options
The treated wastewater is discharged into the river and not
reused at this stage. The biogas can be used by the nearby
school.
Monitoring Results
The treatment system has been monitored regularly since
operation started in 2006. The results for 2006-2010
monitoring period are shown. Despite good overall removal
Sunga often does not met Nepal discharge standards for
BOD & COD.
Parameter In Out %
pH 8 7 NA
TP (mg/l) 33 17 49%
NH4(mg/l) 122 42 66%
TSS (mg/L) 2810 58 98%
BOD5 (mg/L) 1489 179 88%
COD (mg/L) 3217 337 90%
Average 2006-2010
For more information,
Environment and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO) Published by ENPHO, with assistance from
110/25, Adarsa Marg-1 New Baneshwor,
Consortium for
GPO Box 4102, Kathmandu • Tel:+977-01-4493188 DEWATS
Email: enpho@[Link] • Web: [Link] Dissemination
Society
