Case Study on Waste Water Disposal Practices and Treatment Options in Textile Processing Units in Tamil Nadu

Location: Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu.

Partner NGO/institution: Technology Informatics Design Endeavour (TIDE)

Date of commencement: December 2006

Date of conclusion: May 2007

Summary 

Dyeing and bleaching of cotton yarn is spread over six districts of Tamil Nadu. These units contribute to both air and water pollution by burning firewood inefficiently in poorly designed stoves and by discharging process water without treatment into water bodies. This issue is very complex because the sector operates on slender profits. A detailed case study of the sector is planned focusing on water use.

Why This Project?

• To help understand the problem, assess the possible solutions and barriers to their acceptability.

Target group

The residents staying in the vicinity of textile processing units and affected by deteriorating water quality are the likely beneficiaries.

Activities Planned: 

• Conduct a detailed case study of the sector focusing on water use.
• Collect information on the effluent load being discharged from textile processing units for each operation (bleaching, dyeing, and sizing).
• Get a clear understanding on the current treatment and disposal practices and the implication of the options on ground and surface water.
• Conduct a detailed review of the technology options for reduction of pollution load to the limits recommended by the Pollution Control Board including a techno-economic assessment of the options will be conducted.
  

Project status:

Satisfactorily completed.