Japanese Bio-Lace technology shows strong promise in sewage treatment, says HMWSSB

Japan’s Bio-Lace technology could offer a more efficient and sustainable solution for sewage and canal water treatment in Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) said on Friday, while reviewing the 1 MLD pilot project at Fatehnagar.

The Fatehnagar project, a first of its kind in the country, was implemented in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Euroclean TBR, the Board said in a press release.

HMWSSB Managing Director K. Ashok Reddy said the technology was already used in the restoration of over 400 rivers and water bodies in Japan, and it demonstrated notable improvements in water quality during the pilot phase at Fatehngar. The key outcomes included a reduction of up to 90% in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and around 85% in total suspended solids (TSS), along with improved dissolved oxygen levels and reduced foul odour, he explained. The system is designed to purify polluted canal and drain water using a natural microbial process without the use of chemicals.

Compared to conventional sewage treatment systems, Bio-Lace technology reportedly requires less land and consumes over 50% less power, making it a more cost-effective and environment-friendly option for urban wastewater management.

Mr. Reddy said the encouraging results indicate that the system could play a major role in Hyderabad’s long-term strategy to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Musi river. He further said that the Board is examining the feasibility of scaling up the technology across the city’s drainage network and integrating it into future sewage treatment infrastructure, subject to evaluation by the Pollution Control Board.

Present in the inspection and review were CGM at HMWSSB, Sujatha; General Manager, TBR Co., Japan, Kinoshita, and other representatives.