1.

Introduction of Bio Tank

The term bio tank is used for the tanks made up of masonry/concrete for the anaerobic
digestion of human fecal/ waste. Human activities create waste. The way these wastes are
handled, stored, collected and disposed of, can pose risks to the environment and to public
health. The management of solid waste is one of the major challenges worldwide and is an
important concern in developing countries where solid waste management infrastructure and
services are lagging behind the basic standards in terms of hygiene, efficient collection and
disposal. Improper human waste disposal system not only leads to aesthetic nuisance but threat
of organic pollution & several infectious diseases in epidemic proportions due to contamination
of ground water and drinking water resources in highly populated and developing countries, like
India.

The state of sanitation remains a powerful indicator of the state of human development in
any community. Access to sanitation bestows benefits at every level. Improved sanitation
reduces overall child mortality, brings advantages for public health, livelihoods and dignity-
advantages that extend beyond households to entire community.
1.1. Background Information
The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
estimate that there are more than 620 million people practicing open defecation in the country;
over 50 per cent of the population. In rural areas about 10% of houses have toilets and rest of the
people go to open defecation. Population in the cities although have better access to the toilets
but only to the tune of 70%. Untreated waste is responsible for several diseases like, dysentery,
diarrhea, amoebiasis, viral hepatitis, cholera, typhoid etc. taking the life of thousands of children
annually. Moreover, the latest Census data reveals that the percentage of households having
access to television and telephones in rural India exceeds the percentage of households with
access to toilet facilities.

2. Description of DRDE Developed Bio digester / Bio Tanks Technology

The treatment process in septic tanks attached to toilets also does not break down the
waste completely. Defense Research & Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior – an
R&D organization of DRDO, has developed a technology of bacterial inoculums for sewage

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treatment under diverse geo-climatic conditions. The zero-waste bio-digester technology breaks
down human excreta completely into usable water and gas through anaerobic process. It does not
have any geographical or temperature limitation and also does away with the need to set up large
sewage tanks and regular sludge cleaning. Recently developed version of this technology has
been named as 'Bio Tank' that is the excellent low cost alternative of the conventional septic
tanks being currently used by individual houses and communities.
The technology has two components, cold active bacterial consortium (Anaerobic
Microbial Inoculum) and bio digester (fermenter).
2.1 Bio digester and Bio Tanks
Bio digester is a specially designed fermentation tank for accelerated microbial
degradation of organic waste. It is made of FRP/ SS/ MS/ Bricks with provision of inlet for
human waste and outlets for treated effluent and biogas. The bio digester has several chambers to
increase the waste path length thereby improving contact time, sedimentation and degradation.
The dimensions and internal designs may vary according to number of users, water availability
and prevailing geo-climatic conditions. Night soil degradation occurs through microbial reaction
which converts it into biogas. The process results into treated effluent which is free from off
odour, suspended particle matter, pathogens and is environmentally acceptable.

3. Advantage of Bio digester / Bio Tank

•Simple in design. Require less maintenance.
•Can be in operation up to years together.
•No bad smell in toilets from the tanks. No infestation of Cockroaches & flies.
•Fecal matter in the tank not visible. No clogging of digester. •Effluent is free from off odour and
solid waste.
•Reduction in organic matter by 90%.
•No requirement of adding bacteria/ enzyme.
•No need of removal of solid waste.

4. Uses of Bio Tank

The bio tank is designed for;
 Shipping companies and couriers,

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  Building contractors,
 Agricultural producers,
 Construction service companies,
 Civil and Military logistic departments,
 Production facilities, Distribution centers, Warehouses.

5. Localization of the Bio tank

The tank user is required to observe all the legal requirements concerning the installation
and use of the product as well as recommendations of the local fire safety and environment
protection services.
The following guidelines have to be fulfilled when selecting the location for the Bio tank:
 At least 15m distance from houses and public buildings,
 At least 5m distance from other buildings and border of the premises,
 At least 10m distance from timberline,
 Tanks should not be put in places surrounded by buildings from all sides,
 Tanks should be located on a flat (levelled), even and stable surface made from non-
combustible material.

6. Conclusion
Bio Septic waste water treatment systems will efficiently recycle all wastewater as clear,
odorless water to irrigate the garden. This means you pay for your water once and use it twice,
allowing you to be environmentally friendly while saving you money. One of the biggest
disadvantages of septic systems are the hassles that comes with sewage backup, which is
generally a sign of clogging in the tank or drain field pipes. When backups occur, the problem is
more serious than a simple household drain clog because the obstruction won’t be found just
inches down the drain.

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 7. References
 Guidelines on bio tank for Indian railway
 Rdso.indianrailways.gov.in
 Bio tank – Kingspan Environmental