Full scale experience with tannery water management: an integrated approach

Abstract

In this article, an overview is given of the proposed and actual activities that are undertaken to reduce the pollution from the approximately 180 tanneries in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. As a part of an action plan to reduce the pollution of the river Ganga, this project includes in-house measures to reduce the output of chromium by the tanneries, and pre-treatment at the tanneries to reduce the solids content of the wastewater and to facilitate maintenance of the sewer system. A treatment plant consisting of two Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactors, followed by a post-treatment facility, reduces the wastewater pollution by approximately 80% of BOD, COD, and TSS. However, sulphide output is still high, owing to the high sulphate concentrations in the wastewater. The sludge produced during the operations is projected to be used as a fertilizer.