Apartments In Bangalore Are Now Required To Install Sewage Treatment Plant Within 3 Months Or Else Pay Fine

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) has issued notices to 20 unit apartments (2,000 sqm) and 100 sqm homes to set up sewage treatment plant within three months.

The notices issued on September 21, directs apartment owners to either install a sewage treatment plant (STP) or a gray water treatment plant within three months or pay 25% of the water and sanitary charges as a penalty. The penalty may also rise to 50% of the bill amounts after six months.

BWSSB is yet to ensure whether the technology will be adopted by the houses or commercial units, owing to small confined spaces. It is difficult to render installing recycling units, as reported by Times of India.

NN Iyengar, a resident of an apartment complex at Tatanagar in Kodigehalli, has raised concerns over the shortfall of potable water and the technologies that are available for installation of the STP. A BSSWB official has suggested installing recycling units in the setback area. Though as per the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, the setback area is supposed to be left free for movement of emergency vehicles.

The notices are also being issued to multi-storey commercial structures of 2,000 sqm dimension, and individual buildings measuring 100sqm. Though commercial establishment faces a steeper penalty of 50% of the bill which will increase up to 100% after six months.

The directives issued by environment department has made BWSSB helpless, according to BSSWB chairman Tushar Giri Nath. He said that they sought clarifications after the directives were issued that whether it applies to the existing buildings as well. There will be a workshop for resident welfare association (RWAs) to create awareness about the technologies available for STPs or gray water recycling units.

STPs or Sewage Treatment is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, primarily from sewages generated in households. A STP is a unit that performs this function.

Graywater Recycling units are the water recycling units which treat water discharged in kitchens or waste produced during laundry, cleaning, bathing and car wash.