Bengaluru's Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) Earn 5-Star Scores, Receive Rs 103 Crore Financial Reward
In a significant milestone for Bengaluru's water management, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has been recognised for its high-quality sewage treatment plants. The Central Government awarded a 5-star rating to 23 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) operated by BWSSB.
The BWSSB currently manages 34 STPs with a combined capacity of 1,345 million litres per day (MLD), treating approximately 2,130 MLD of sewage daily across the city. The board is actively expanding its wastewater treatment capacity, with plans to construct 20 new plants (470 MLD capacity) and float tenders for 9 more (140 MLD), and proposals for 5 additional STPs totaling 385 MLD under consideration. This expansion would increase total treatment capacity to about 2,343 MLD by the end of 2026.
Despite this scale, BWSSB's treated wastewater quality currently meets only primary and secondary treatment standards, making it unfit even for non-potable urban reuse such as toilet flushing or gardening. Upgrading all STPs to tertiary treatment is estimated at around Rs 2,700 crore, which is not currently prioritized due to financial constraints.
In response to this challenge, BWSSB has secured a significant order worth Rs 380 crore funded by the World Bank to build advanced wastewater treatment plants in Bommanahalli. This project includes tertiary treatment, biogas generation, solar sludge drying, and plans for water reuse in industry, enhancing sustainability and efficiency.
The treated water from these plants will be used for lake rejuvenation in Bengaluru and surrounding districts, contributing to the State Government's 'Brand Bengaluru' initiative aimed at making the city a model of sustainability and urban innovation.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Bengaluru, D.K. Shivakumar, expressed his happiness over the ratings and stated that it is immensely gratifying to receive recognition from the Central Government for the efforts. He emphasized the priority of ensuring high-quality sewage treatment through advanced technology.
In summary, BWSSB is among the leading municipal wastewater treatment authorities in India by capacity and infrastructure scale. However, it still faces significant challenges in upgrading technology to achieve higher quality treated water and reuse standards. The current and planned investments indicate a strong commitment to improvement, supported by international funding and modern technology deployment.
References: 1. BWSSB Expansion Plans 2. Upgrading STPs to Tertiary Treatment 3. World Bank Funded Project for Advanced WWTPs 4. BWSSB's Achievements in Water Reuse 5. Environmental Concerns Regarding Water Quality
- The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board's (BWSSB) recognition for its high-quality sewage treatment plants extends beyond general-news headlines, as it is also a key player in environmental-science, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable wastewater management.
- In the realm of finance, while the estimated cost for upgrading all BWSSB Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to tertiary treatment is substantial, international funding from organizations like the World Bank is facilitating the construction of advanced wastewater treatment plants, contributing to both environmental-science and sustainability efforts.
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