Bengaluru: The new guidelines rolled out by the central government on effluent standards for sewage treatment plants (STPs), to achieve uniformity in the treatment of wastewater across the country, have sparked hope for the polluted lakes and waterbodies in and around Bengaluru.
The new standards for treated water released by STPs framed by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, based on the National Green Tribunal directions, will be binding on both existing and new STPs.
Lake conservationists and ecologists revealed that the new guidelines will ensure clean and odour-free water in the city lakes and waterbodies. The earlier guidelines on Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Systems , were framed in 2013. “The earlier norms did not provide any details or parameters for recreational use of water — an aspect crucial in comprehensive recycling and reuse of treated sewage. Now, the same norms have been reviewed and amended as per the global standards of BIS 17663,” an official of the ministry said.
Unlike the 2013 guidelines, the new parameters are stringent while ensuring the flow of clean and odourless water into lakes and tanks. “A few of the parameters such as pH value of water, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids have been further increased to ensure better quality of water. Bio-chemical oxygen demand (BoD), which was varying for different purposes, has been kept uniform for all purposes,” the official clarified.
“The new BIS standards provide for recycling and reuse of wastewater for non-potable purposes, including toilet flushing, fire hydrants, vehicle washing, recreational use like bathing, non-contact impoundments like tanks, lakes and horticulture uses, golf course maintenance, non-edible crops and crops eaten raw and cooked,” he said.
STPs owned by apartment complexes, large housing societies and state governments will have to comply with the new guidelines before releasing the treated water for non-potable purposes or filling up lakes.
Hailing the new guidelines, Ram Prasad, convenor of Friends of Lakes, Bengaluru said: “All these years, STPs were adhering to the standards set by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation issued several years ago. The new guidelines will ensure that clean and odour-free water will flow into our lakes. We will present the same to the BWSSB for compliance and also submit it to the high court as part of the petition it’s hearing about KC Valley and HN Valley.”
We also published the following articles recently
The new standards for treated water released by STPs framed by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, based on the National Green Tribunal directions, will be binding on both existing and new STPs.
Lake conservationists and ecologists revealed that the new guidelines will ensure clean and odour-free water in the city lakes and waterbodies. The earlier guidelines on Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Systems , were framed in 2013. “The earlier norms did not provide any details or parameters for recreational use of water — an aspect crucial in comprehensive recycling and reuse of treated sewage. Now, the same norms have been reviewed and amended as per the global standards of BIS 17663,” an official of the ministry said.
Unlike the 2013 guidelines, the new parameters are stringent while ensuring the flow of clean and odourless water into lakes and tanks. “A few of the parameters such as pH value of water, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids have been further increased to ensure better quality of water. Bio-chemical oxygen demand (BoD), which was varying for different purposes, has been kept uniform for all purposes,” the official clarified.
“The new BIS standards provide for recycling and reuse of wastewater for non-potable purposes, including toilet flushing, fire hydrants, vehicle washing, recreational use like bathing, non-contact impoundments like tanks, lakes and horticulture uses, golf course maintenance, non-edible crops and crops eaten raw and cooked,” he said.
STPs owned by apartment complexes, large housing societies and state governments will have to comply with the new guidelines before releasing the treated water for non-potable purposes or filling up lakes.
Hailing the new guidelines, Ram Prasad, convenor of Friends of Lakes, Bengaluru said: “All these years, STPs were adhering to the standards set by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation issued several years ago. The new guidelines will ensure that clean and odour-free water will flow into our lakes. We will present the same to the BWSSB for compliance and also submit it to the high court as part of the petition it’s hearing about KC Valley and HN Valley.”
We also published the following articles recently
California set to use recycled wastewater for drinking purposes
California regulators are set to vote on new rules that would allow water agencies to recycle wastewater and supply it as drinking water. This step is seen as a major relief for the state, which has struggled with a reliable drinking water source for decades. The idea of recycling water has gained public acceptance over the years. Once established, the rule is expected to meet the drinking water needs of California’s 39 million population. The wastewater would be treated for all pathogens and viruses, ensuring drinking water quality.
California regulators are set to vote on new rules that would allow water agencies to recycle wastewater and supply it as drinking water. This step is seen as a major relief for the state, which has struggled with a reliable drinking water source for decades. The idea of recycling water has gained public acceptance over the years. Once established, the rule is expected to meet the drinking water needs of California’s 39 million population. The wastewater would be treated for all pathogens and viruses, ensuring drinking water quality.
Bench: Need to rejuvenate polluted lake
Hyderabad’s polluted lake, as reported by TOI, has become poisonous due to sewage flow from houses. The lake’s two STPs, which get inundated during rain, have ceased to operate. A study found 183 compounds in the water, highlighting the harm to human and aquatic life caused by these pollutants. Environmentalists and residents discovered hundreds of dead fish gasping for air, confirming the pollution in the lake.
Hyderabad’s polluted lake, as reported by TOI, has become poisonous due to sewage flow from houses. The lake’s two STPs, which get inundated during rain, have ceased to operate. A study found 183 compounds in the water, highlighting the harm to human and aquatic life caused by these pollutants. Environmentalists and residents discovered hundreds of dead fish gasping for air, confirming the pollution in the lake.
STPs defunct, 37 builders served notices
The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has served notices on 37 builders for lacking sewage treatment plants (STP). Residents complained about untreated water discharge into drains. GNIDA found that 37 societies had non-compliant or non-functional STPs. GNIDA issued notices to several builders including Ajay Enterprises and Nirala Projects. The Pollution Control Board fined Supertech Eco Village-I for flushing untreated STP water into stormwater drains.
The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has served notices on 37 builders for lacking sewage treatment plants (STP). Residents complained about untreated water discharge into drains. GNIDA found that 37 societies had non-compliant or non-functional STPs. GNIDA issued notices to several builders including Ajay Enterprises and Nirala Projects. The Pollution Control Board fined Supertech Eco Village-I for flushing untreated STP water into stormwater drains.