Sustainability, Innovations and Advisories Private Limited, in collaboration with its knowledge partner iFOREST conducted an online training program on Environmental Safeguards for the officials of the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS), Government of Punjab. The project is funded by the World Bank.

The online training program was conducted from 18th August 2020 to 20th August 2020 and attended by 25 officials. The main objective of the training was to ensure that environmental issues are systematically identified and managed during the various stages of project development, expose them to various clearances under different statues, and good practices related to environmental management.

The program covered subjects including environmental and social issues associated with Surface Water Supply Scheme, use of renewable energy in water supply scheme and benefits, drinking water treatment technology, operation and maintenance including disinfection, health safety and social compliance, storm water management, rooftop rainwater harvesting, environmental monitoring and protocols. Leading experts such as Mr Arunava Majumdar (Former Director – All India Institute of Public Health and Hygiene)), Dr. RK Tyagi (Health and Safety expert), J.S Kamyotra (Former Member Secretary, CPCB), Salahuddin Saiphy (Programme Director, Segal Foundation), N. R Sahoo (Chief Environmental Engineer, Orissa Pollution Control Board).

Class exercises were conducted on the development of inspection and compliance checklist for surface water supply scheme, preparation of environment management plan (EMP), development of legal register for Surface Water Supply Scheme.