Better sewage treatment is critical for human health and ecosystems – to understand this issue up close, the students of Public Health from Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health in Mangaluru visited the city’s sewage treatment plant. This field visit provided students with the valuable insight into the workings of the important component of the city’s infrastructure.
Guided by the experts at the plant, the students witnessed the multifaceted processes involved in treating sewage and ensuring the safety and sanitation of the city’s water bodies. The field visit was planned as part of their curriculum, exclusively to help the students understand the need of proper management of the city’s sewage to ensure public health and prevention of diseases. As the field trip began, students were briefed theoretically on the overall working process of the sewage treatment plant and the stages involved. Students were given an insight on the different phases of treating the sewage.
After the briefing the MPH candidates were given a comprehensive tour of the entire plant, where they had the opportunity to observe the actual process of the sewage treatment. They were able to understand the initial steps of identifying and removing of large debris, followed by the primary treatment phase where solid matter was separated from the liquid. The subsequent secondary and tertiary treatment stages were also explained, showcasing the crucial role of beneficial bacteria and advanced filtration methods in treating the water to acceptable standards. Engaging themselves in interactive sessions with the plant staff, students were also able to learn about the plant’s operations, maintenance procedures, quality control measures, occupational health hazards, procedures of health screening for staff and the challenges faced by the plant in management and treatment of the solid and liquid wastes.
The field trip provided the students with practical exposure and was able to garner appreciation by the students towards the complex systems involved in maintaining clean and safe water resources. Students were able to experience the theories in their curriculum in practicality through such tools of field trips organized by Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health.
