The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies and Chennai Metropolitan Area Septage Management (Regulation) Rules, 2022
The Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 183, Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MA-3) Department, dated 31st December 2022, notifying rules that regulate the collection, transport and disposal of faecal sludge and septage in urban local bodies and the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Effective from 1st January 2023, the rules require operators to obtain vehicle-specific licences and follow disposal, tracking, worker safety and reporting conditions.
What the rules govern
The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies and Chennai Metropolitan Area Septage Management (Regulation) Rules, 2022 apply to faecal sludge and septage collection, transportation and disposal within Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Town Panchayats and the Chennai Metropolitan Area. A person intending to provide any of these services must apply for a licence.
Property owners and occupiers using septic tanks or pits are affected because only licensed faecal sludge and septage transport operators may carry out desludging and transport the material to a designated disposal facility.
Licensing requirements
The licensing authority depends on the location. It is the relevant Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Municipality Commissioner, Town Panchayat Executive Officer, or the Managing Director of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
An application must be made in Form-I with a fee of Rs.2,000 and supporting records, including:
- Vehicle registration, fitness, road tax, insurance and goods vehicle permit documents.
- Front and rear photographs showing the vehicle number plate.
- Applicant identity, address and specified business registration records.
- Employee and driver identity, address, medical and driving licence records.
- Personal accident insurance of Rs.10 lakh for each driver.
The licensing authority must scrutinise a valid application and, if eligible, grant a Form-II licence within thirty days. A licence is valid for two years, is not transferable and must be displayed prominently on the specified vehicle's windshield.
Operating and safety conditions
A licensed operator must:
- Follow the operating times, areas and routes stated in the licence.
- Use only designated disposal facilities during their operating hours.
- Keep a trip logbook and submit it before the 10th day of every quarter.
- Install an approved Global Positioning System or vehicle tracking system, keep it working and allow the authority access.
- Prevent leakage or spillage and immediately contain, remove and report any accidental spillage.
- Keep vehicles in good working condition and carry spill control or absorbent equipment.
- Provide workers with safety equipment, periodic training and annual health checks.
- Maintain annual personal accident insurance of Rs.10 lakh for every driver and worker.
The licensed vehicle cannot be used to collect or transport industrial waste or mixed industrial waste. Dumping anywhere other than an authorised disposal facility violates the licence. Operators may also be charged clean-up expenses, in addition to fines and penalties, where they fail to clean a transport spillage.
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Common questions
Can any tanker operator empty a septic tank in an urban area?
No. Only an operator licensed under the rules may desludge septic tanks or pits and transport faecal sludge and septage to a designated disposal facility.
How long is a septage collection and transport licence valid?
The licence is valid for two years from its date of issue. It is not transferable and must be displayed prominently on the specified vehicle's windshield.
Does a licensed septage vehicle need GPS tracking?
Yes. The vehicle must have an approved Global Positioning System or vehicle tracking system, and the operator must keep it functioning and permit access by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board or the relevant urban local body.
Where can collected faecal sludge and septage be disposed of?
It must be taken to a designated disposal facility during the operational hours stated in the licence. Dumping at any other location is a violation of the licence conditions.
