The BORDA DEWATS project implemented in East Devadanam has been the first milestone achievement of its kind in the field of decentralized waste water treatment system to improve the living environment and promote a sustainable human settlement for marginalized communities. The aim of the project is to support communities in planning, designing and constructing effective, reliable, cost efficient and custom made waste water treatment system. The project has been a successful engineering achievement in terms of sustainability and enviro-friendly techniques.

At a time the toilet complex has the capacity to accommodate 30 users. Every user of the toilet pays a nominal fee of 50 paise per use. The toilet is attached to a bio gas settler, and this bio-gas is used for lighting the bio lamps in the toilet complex and for cooking as well. Use of Bio gas generated from human waste for cooking is commonly in conflict with cultural belief in India. There is a stigma in using human waste and its byproducts, making it socially unacceptable. However with active education and awareness campaigns it slowly gained a foot hold and much to the credit of the project, a change has been made in the attitudes of the community towards more modern views. On October 11th 2005, On the Saraswathi Pooja day, the Pooja Prasadam was cooked using bio-gas and was eaten by all with reverence and enthusiasm.

The establishment and functioning of the SHG, SHE Team has ensured the community participation by all members of the community and also empowerment of the women.

Today the toilet has a beautiful garden and does not have the normal look and smells of a public toilet.

The waste water being treated is about 5000 liters per day and the treated water is used for cultivation of vegetables for the community.

It can be said in summary that the 1548 people and 378 families that reside in East Devadanam now lead their lives under much more hygienic conditions and have a better quality of life with the existence of the community based sanitation center which provides a permanent environment protection solution to the sanitary problems.

http://www.borda-sa.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=2