In a proactive move to address escalating concerns over water management in urban areas, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has initiated comprehensive audits targeting Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) within housing societies.
This strategic endeavour aims to scrutinise the functionality and adherence to regulations regarding water recycling projects, particularly within the ambit of large-scale developments. With burgeoning urbanisation and an attendant surge in water demand, the efficacy of STPs has become paramount. Notably, a significant proportion of housing societies in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have purportedly fallen short in ensuring the operational efficiency of mandated STP installations. Despite regulatory imperatives mandating the incorporation of STPs in developments exceeding two lakh square feet, reports indicate a glaring reality where approximately half of the surveyed societies exhibit suboptimal compliance.
An integral component of municipal infrastructure, STPs are instrumental in mitigating water scarcity by facilitating the recycling of wastewater for auxiliary purposes such as irrigation, sanitation, and landscaping. However, lapses in maintenance and operational oversight have precipitated the closure of several STP projects, thereby exacerbating the discharge of untreated wastewater into municipal water bodies. Commenting on the imperative of STP efficiency, a senior MPCB official underscored the potential for substantial water conservation achievable through judicious STP utilisation. The forthcoming audits, conducted in collaboration with Municipal Corporations, seek to redress systemic deficiencies and enforce accountability among non-compliant stakeholders. The initiative reflects a concerted commitment towards sustainable urban development and resource conservation, signalling a pivotal step towards bolstering environmental stewardship in Maharashtra’s urban landscape.
