MPCB Takes Step Towards Monitoring STPs in Pune Housing Societies

MPCB has decided to keep an eye on non-compliant housing societies and complexes, enforcing measures to combat water wastage.

25 April 2024

By Payoshi Bisht 

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has decided to keep a check on all Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) present in housing societies in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area as well as in Pune. This step has been taken keeping in mind the water scarcity issue being faced by the residents of Pune. 

The MPCB has started collecting information related to these housing societies from civic bodies such as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC); however there is no real time data available to support it. 

Housing societies with an area of over 2 lakh square feet are mandated to have functional STPs as per the rules and regulations set by the government. Non-potable water has to be utilised for other purposes such as irrigation, gardening and flushing of toilets. In case the housing complexes fail to comply with these norms, the MPCB has the right to not grant them environmental clearance. However, it has been observed that after the completion and transfer of housing projects by developers to housing societies, many housing societies reportedly fail to adhere to their STPs. 

According to the regional officer MPCB, Ravindra Andhale, there will be a meeting held with the corporation to tackle the situation of STPs citywide. Almost 15 litres of potable water are wasted on a daily basis for the purposes of flushing and washing. Therefore, there is a need to spread awareness about water conservation and recycling. There is a percentage of water that is decided by the government for purposes of irrigation, flushing toilets and other domestic chores. If large companies do not use STPs for flushing or domestic purposes, they can be served with a notice by the MPCB, their water supply can be reduced or they can be prosecuted. 

Andhale said that they have requested the PMC as well as the PCMC to verify whether the large companies under their jurisdiction have operational STPs and are using the treated water as domestic water.