Regulations for Sewage Treatment Plants in India

Navigating India’s STP Compliance Landscape: What Every Stakeholder Needs to Know

As India grapples with rising urban wastewater and water scarcity, sewage treatment plants (STPs) have become critical to sustainable development. However, the regulations governing STPs in India are often misunderstood or overlooked, leading to non-compliance, penalties, and environmental harm.

In this blog, we simplify the key STP regulations in India, including discharge norms, state-level variations, and enforcement mechanisms. Whether you're a real estate developer, a housing society, or a commercial campus, staying compliant with STP rules is no longer optional; it's essential.

1. National Regulatory Framework for STPs

At the central level, two main environmental acts regulate sewage treatment:

• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 requires prior approval from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) before discharging treated or untreated sewage. It also empowers SPCBs to set and monitor effluent standards.

• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 allows the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to establish discharge norms and oversee pollution control mechanisms through the Environment Protection Rules.

2. CPCB Guidelines for Treated Sewage Effluent

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has prescribed standard limits for effluent quality from STPs, especially those discharging into water bodies. Key parameters include:

• BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): ≤ 10 mg/L

• TSS (Total Suspended Solids): ≤ 10 mg/L

• pH: 6.5–9.0

• Fecal Coliform: ≤ 1000 MPN/100 mL

For STPs handling higher loads (especially those >1 MLD), CPCB also mandates 24/7 online effluent monitoring systems to ensure compliance.

3. State-Level STP Rules and ULB Requirements

States customize wastewater regulations to suit local conditions. Examples include:

• Design and capacity approvals from local authorities

• Safe sludge disposal protocols

• Mandates for water reuse in landscaping, flushing, and construction

• Reporting requirements for ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M)

States like Karnataka and Maharashtra have introduced stricter standards and enforcement to tackle rising non-compliance among private and public STPs.

4. NGT Orders and Legal Enforcement

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a tough stance on untreated sewage. Its interventions have led to:

• Mandatory 100% sewage treatment and reuse by local bodies

• Penalties on non-functional STPs in housing complexes and cities

• Compliance deadlines for all government and private institutions

NGT’s orders act as a strong legal backing for the urgency of upgrading and maintaining STPs in working condition.

5. The Future: STP Regulations and the Circular Water Economy

Newer STP guidelines go beyond treatment—they now emphasize reuse and circularity. This aligns with:

• ESG compliance in real estate and infrastructure

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• India’s push toward net-zero water use

Policies like dual plumbing and mandatory treated water reuse for non-potable purposes are being added to city development bylaws. Urban campuses, RWAs, and IT parks are being encouraged to install or upgrade their STPs to MBR (Membrane Bio-Reactor) or similar advanced technologies.

What Banka Bio Can Do for You

At Banka Bio, we specialize in helping clients achieve 100% STP compliance through:

• Retrofit and upgrade of non-functional STPs

• Real-time monitoring for regulatory reporting

• Long-term O&M to ensure consistent performance

• Support in audits, inspections, and documentation

If you manage or own a decentralized STP—or are planning to set one up—our team can help ensure full compliance with the latest STP rules and norms in India.