NI Water has installed a new wastewater treatment unit at a housing development near Rathfriland in a bid to improve the quality of treated effluent.

The work forms part of NI Water's multi-million pound Rural Wastewater Investment project, which aims to ensure the treated effluent meets the latest EU Directives.

The new infrastructure at the Knock Terrace housing estate includes an enclosed hi-tech tank with advanced treatment processes.

Beijing's public toilets must not exceed two flies, according to new standards handed down by zealous officials striving to clean up China's notoriously filthy loos. The unusual rule applies to lavatories in parks, railway stations, airports, hospitals, malls and supermarkets in the capital, said the Beijing News on Wednesday.

More conventional demands from the municipal committee in charge of the image of the city include an order that there is no accumulation of urine or water in the capital's public toilets and that bins aren't overflowing. AFP

NONGSTOIN: Thousands of people participated in the Total Sanitation Campaign programme organised by the State Water and Sanitation Board in collaboration with the District Water and Sanitation Mission at Mawkyrwat on Wednesday.

Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh was the chief guest on the occasion. The main objective of the Campaign was to eliminate the practice of open defecation and pigsty toilets, ensuring construction of sanitary latrines for households apart from safe disposal of human faeces and maintenance of personal and environmental hygiene.

Beijing’s public toilets must not exceed two flies, according to new standards handed down by zealous officials striving to clean up China’s notoriously filthy loos.

The unusual rule applies to lavatories in parks, railway stations, airports, hospitals, malls and supermarkets in the capital, said the Beijing News today.

More conventional demands from the municipal committee in charge of the image of the city include an order that there is no accumulation of urine or water in the capital’s public toilets and that bins aren’t overflowing.

The East corporation has decided to conduct free health check-up camps for its safai karamcharis, gardeners and nullah cleaners every week. The check-up camps will begin from June 9. “The health of safai karamcharis is a cause of concern. Their work requires them to be in unhygienic places. Due to this, there is a high mortality rate among the workers and many suffer from occupational hazards. Keeping this in mind, the corporation will conduct special medical camps for them,” Sajjan Singh Yadav told Newsline.

A public toilet in Beijing's Zhongguancun area The benchmarks apply to toilets in public premises or on roadsides

Authorities in the Chinese capital have set new standards for public toilets, including a stipulation that they should contain no more than two flies.

The new rules, published by the commission of city administration, also set standards on odour and cleaning litter bins.

Toilets in places such as tourist spots must comply with the new standards.

But it is not clear whether failing washrooms will be punished and if so, how.

PERUMBAVOOR: Offering a ray of hope for the residents of Perumbavoor, the plywood manufacturers in the region have announced the formation of a new committee to keep a tab on the pollution caused by the companies.

The committee will study the cleanliness and hygiene amongst the plywood manufacturing units, said C K Abdul Majeed, general secretary, South Indian Plywood Manufacturers Association.

A District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) has been constituted in Gurgaon to formulate, manage and monitor drinking water and sanitation projects.

The mission, headed by the Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner, will also scrutinise and approve drinking water and sanitation projects submitted by the gram panchayats and forward them to State-level committees if required.