Chandigarh can treat more wastewater than what it generates, NGT told

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16

The UT capacity to treat wastewater is more than what is generated in the city.

In a compliance report submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the UT Administration stated: “Total volume of wastewater generated in the city is 54 MGD (million gallons per day), whereas the treatment capacity of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) in operation is 55.1 MGD. This indicates more than 100 per cent wastewater treatment capacity.”

In its order dated September 21 last year, the NGT had directed that all states/UTs may address gaps in generation and treatment of sewage/effluents by ensuring setting up of requisite number of functional effluent treatment plants (ETPs), common effluent treatment plants (CETP) and STPs. The unutilised capacity of the existing STPs may be utilised expeditiously and the states/ UTs may ensure that the CETP, ETPs and STPs meet the laid-down norms and remedial action be taken wherever norms are not met.

“It must be ensured that no untreated sewage/effluent is discharged into any water body. Prompt remedial action may be taken by the state pollution control board/pollution control committee against non-compliant ETPs/CETPs by closing it down or restricting the effluent generating activity, recovering compensation and taking other

coercive measures following the due process of law,” stated the order.

The treated sewage may be duly utilised for secondary purposes by preparing appropriate action plans and reports in this regard be

filed with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) periodically.

In the compliance report, the UT Administration stated that the work of upgradating existing five STPs had been started by Chandigarh Smart City Limited and the status of the work was being submitted.

“Industries are being monitored as per available infrastructure and no unit is allowed to operate without effluent treatment plant. In case of any violation, the unit is sealed with disconnection of electricity and water supply. Reports are being regularly provided to the CPCB,” stated the UT.