Two samples taken from Dhalli sewage plant fail test

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 6

Two water samples collected from the sewage treatment plant (STP) in Dhalli have failed the test. In 2013, the Malyana and Dhalli plants were outsourced to Akshay Doegar, currently under the judicial custody.

Treated and untreated water flows into the Ashwani Khud from the plants located 4-6 km from the pumping station.

Experts said even if the samples passed the test by recording biochemical oxygen demand below 30, the water was unfit for consumption. It could be used for irrigation purposes, they said.

The Pollution Control Board, responsible for maintaining the quality of water, has learnt that the Baragaon sewage plant has a capacity of over 19 MLD, but it remains underused due to poor connectivity.

Sewage from private tanks and HIMUDA housing colony, private universities and schools are emptied into drains. The dirty water then flows into the Ashwani Khud.

“The NOCs for these are issued by the Pollution Control Board,” said the experts.

Shimla has six STPs, out of which five have been outsourced to Akshay Doegar by the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department.

The Pollution Control Board has asked the department to make sure that the sludge is decomposed and water is treated properly in the Malyana plant.

“All samples collected from Malyana have failed the test. We have informed the department about it,” said Vineet Kumar, member secretary, State Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board.

The board has issued notices to the IPH Department and has been monitoring the STPs regularly. “The power connections cannot be cut as it will worsen the situation,” he said.