Page 164 - CW E-Magazine (24-6-2025)

Free to Die

can be recovered and used as a fuel, thus
recycling the fi xed carbon. This process
would be net carbon negative. Over a
period, the planet will cool and produce
a huge amount of biomass, and even
lead to net zero production of CO .
2

These ideas should be a part of the
Smart City development planned by the
government. In their planning stage,
provisions should be made to recover
all waters separately, and purify & dis-
tribute the treated water for different
applications. There should be four sewage
treatment plants at the outskirts of each
city (EWSN), approximately 8-km away
(to provide for growth of the city). The
treated water should be distributed to
farmers (at cost, because it would save
them fertilizers and pumping costs).

Key takeaways
1. Water is the best coolant. Spread
water on surfaces to cool it. Spreading
water on trees and on the ground will
also increase photosynthesis and
reduce CO levels.
2
contain some nutrients. It is a lot easier be completely used up to make space 2. Collect rainwater by rejuvenating
to treat, being very dilute. BOD and for the next rains. There are hundreds ponds and constructing soak pits
COD levels of this water are within 100 of stone quarries lying empty. By clos- along the roads (we are constructing
ppm. After treatment, this water should ing one side, these can be converted into 35-km of highways every day). To
be spread on large surfaces of the city as rainwater catchment ponds. Along the compensate the loss of percolation
a means of dust control. Mumbai-Pune highway, on both sides due to concretized surfaces, harvest
of Parsik Hills, and above the Western rainwater in underground storages,
Rainwater is the cleanest resource. Ghats, at least 100 such locations can be and directly collect it in bore wells.
All cities must make efforts to store as found. This would also reduce fl ooding in
much rainwater as possible. (For more rivers.
ideas on this my contribution in Chemical Stone excavation for roads, dams, 3. Recycle sewage and sullage after
Weekly, January 28, 2025, should be industries and building construction is treatment back to fi elds. This water,
referred.) This can be done by rejuvena- a continuous activity. All excavation available through the year, is laden
tion of old ponds, and construction of should be done underground so as to with resources and best of all is free.
soak pits all along the roads. Rainwater create huge water storage facilities. Save imports of potash and phospho-
harvesting should be made compulsory rous for fertilizer use.
for all residents of single- and multi- In short, water should be spread on 4. Treated sullage should be used for
storey buildings. This would help im- large surfaces to capture excessive heat. washing streets, spread on roads and
prove groundwater levels. Traditional This would also promote vegetation and open lands to prevent dusting, clean
techniques of water conservation such fi x CO . India receives a lot of solar and wash trees to help them bear
2
as that practiced by residents of radiation. Several million tonnes of CO more fruits.
2
Rajasthan who collect every drop of rain- can be captured by simply spreading 5. Cool the environment by evapora-
water and use it for the entire year should water on barren surfaces, allow grasses tion of wastewater.
be practiced. Each year, this water must or small plants to grow. The vegetation V.C. Malshe

164 Chemical Weekly June 24, 2025

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