In the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), in India, 750 million liters of human waste is treated every day through a process called bioremediation. Wastes are treated daily without using any chemicals, they support a fertile aquatic garden and protect the low-lying city from flooding.
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The “kidneys of Kolkata” are maintained by farmers and fisherman. Each day, the wetlands receive nearly 750 million liters of the city’s waste each day. With the help of sunshine, oxygen, and microbial action, the sewage is organically treated.
In addition to keeping Kolkata sewage-free and providing fertilizer to grow crops, the wetlands act as a natural flood control system. When floods threaten Kolkata, gravitational forces take the discharge eastward of the city, into the wetlands. In a way, the EKW serves as a natural spill basin. This function is essential during the monsoon season when the entire Gangetic delta is at-risk of flooding.
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Source: The Mind Unleashed
