Scientists push for membrane-based technology to clean river Ganga

To make river Ganga cleaner, the scientists have come with new innovative technologies. In a new, the scientists of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BAARC) have come up with a membrane-based technology for removing the metal contamination in the effluent treated Ganga water. The membrane-based water/effluent treatment technology, which has been developed by the BAARC, has the potential to play a key role in Clean Ganga Mission, a flagship programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is currently involved in water quality assessment along with other national laboratories and providing technical support and guidance to clean and develop the Shiv Ganga Pond at Deoghar in Jharkhand.

The Ministry of Water Resources has launched the pilot project from Deoghar as this part of Ganga is most polluted and BAARC scientists believe that membrane-based treatment will make the holy river more cleaner. The technology will help in filtering the metal particles which are not removed in conventional treatments such as sewage treatment plants.

According to BAARC scientists, metals pose high risk to human life and if it goes into the river, there is no use of treatment. “Nowadays everybody is talking about sewage treatment, but it doesn’t remove heavy metals and chemicals. The membrane will filter almost every metal present in the water,” an BAARC scientist said.