Context

• Recently, seven cities from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have been certified ODF++, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
• The seven cities are Indore, Khargone, Sahaganj, Ujjain, Bhilai, Rajnandgaon and Ambikapur.

About

What it means for the cities?

• The certification, an extension of the ODF protocol, means that all the faecal sludge and sewage in these cities is treated scientifically before discharge.
• These cities have 100% of their faecal matter treated by sewage treatment plants or faecal sludge treatment plants. They are also free of open defecation and open urination, with at least 25% of the community and public toilets in excellent condition.
• These are the first cities to qualify under the government’s new extended protocol to sustain gains made under the basic ODF protocol.

Why Open Defecation + and Open Defecation ++?

• To ensure the sustainability and long term impact of the ODF status.
• The SBM ODF+ and SBM ODF++ protocols build upon the ODF protocol while keeping true to its provisions, so as to provide a platform for cities and towns to improve sanitation sustainability. The protocols are incremental in nature, and reflect on-ground realities present in India.

What are the difference between Open Defecation + and Open Defecation ++?

• Cities and towns that have already achieved ODF status as per the ODF protocol prescribed by MoHUA and are working towards ensuring sustainability of the ODF status to ensure proper maintenance of toilet facilities are referred to as SBM ODF+.
• ODF ++ includes safe collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal of all faecal sludge and sewage besides the protocols of ODF+ in order to achieve safe sustainable sanitation for all. It is step further for enhanced sustainability of the sanitation in the cities.

How will a city be included in ODF + and ODF++?

• After declared ODF, a city would need to follow the set criteria (protocol) so as to get certification of ODF+ and ODF++. The purpose would be to sustain its sanitation status of defecation free.

Definition of ODF+ city or ward?

• A city / ward / work circle1 can be notified/declared as SBM ODF+ city/ SBM ODF+ ward/SBM ODF+ work circle if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/or urinating in the open
• Moreover, all community and public toilets are functional and well maintained.
• Cities that have been certified ODF at least once on the basis of the ODF Protocol laid down by ministry shall be eligible to declare themselves as SBM ODF+ and apply for certification of SBM ODF+ status. In other words cities which have been declared ODF by the government are eligible for ODF+.

What the definition of ODF++ city or ward?

• A city / ward / work circle can be notified/ declared as SBM ODF++ city/ SBM ODF++ ward/ SBM ODF++ work circle if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/or urinating in the open, all community and public toilets are functional and well maintained.
• More over faecal sludge/septage and sewage is safely managed and treated, with no discharging and/or dumping of untreated faecal sludge/septage and sewage in drains, water bodies or open areas.
• Cities that have been certified SBM ODF+ at least once shall thereafter be eligible to declare themselves as SBM ODF++ and apply for certification of SBM ODF++ status.

Pre requisites to achieve ODF+

• Individual toilets should be functional and well-maintained, with water availability.
• All public areas have functional public toilets within a span of 1 km.
• While deciding the number of toilet seats/urinals and blocks, the city’s entire floating population must have been considered.
• The city has sufficient mobile toilets/toilet facilities for use during occasions with large gatherings in a single area
• Once a city has communicated to the respective state government the final resolution declaring the city to be SBM ODF+, and the state government has communicated the same to MoHUA (or in case of development authority or cantonment board, city has directly communicated to MoHUA), a third party verification process (“Swachh Certification for SBM ODF+”) is to be adopted, for the final SBM ODF+ certification.

Prerequisites to achieve SBM ODF++

• All necessary conditions for SBM ODF+ (as per the SBM ODF+ protocol laid down by MoHUA) have been achieved, except that at least 25% of functional public and community toilets must adhere to the additional conditions.
• All toilets (individual, community and public) are either connected to (a) sewer networks; or (b.) safe containment systems (such as septic tanks, twin pits or other on-site sanitation systems prescribed by CPHEEO or under SBM-Urban Mission Guidelines).