Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)

Chapter 4.
Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)
ISSUES
Delhi which has a population of 18 million, as per DJB estimates consumes 900 MGD (4086 MLD) of
water (both surface and ground water) and generates 720 MGD (3268 MLD) of waste water,
reckoned at 80% of the fresh water used. The present capacity of all the existing STPs in Delhi is 607
MGD (2756 MLD) against which the sewage actually received at the STPs is 458.75 MGD (2083 MLD) -
which means there is only a 75% capacity utilization. Out of the 458.75 MGD of treated sewage,
only 89 MGD is presently being utilized, mainly for irrigating parks and gardens and the rest is being
released into drains, where it gets mixed with untreated sewage, and eventually empties into the
river Yamuna.
i) Functioning and Upgradation of Existing STPs
The order dated July 26, 2018 of NGT gives a list of 41 STPs at 22 locations, although the
Judgement dated 13-01-2015 had listed 23 locations. Out of these 41 STPs, 6 STPs are closed and 5 out of
these 6 are proposed to be rehabilitated/ upgraded. Twenty (20) STPs are receiving waste water
(sewage) below their installed capacity, the deficit ranging from 10% to as high as 90%. Five plants as per
the DJB test reports are not meeting design parameters, although as per DPCC’s test report dated 23-08-
2018, as many as nine (9) STPs are not meeting the standards. NGT in its order dated 13-01-2015 and
08-05-2015 had directed that plans should be prepared for the up gradation of STPs, optimal
utilization of capacity of those STPs that are receiving waste water/sewage below capacity and
removing deficiencies in the STPs that are not meeting design parameters for treated waste water.
Setting up of new STPs
NGT’s order dated 13-01-2015 records that 32 new STPs will be set up by the DJB. This was based
on the recommendations of the Expert Committee appointed by NGT and DJB’s own Sewerage
Master Plan 2031.
Present Status:
MC has reviewed the matter in detailed meetings with the Delhi Jal Board and based on the review the
DJB has been asked to furnish information on the STPs commissioned during the last three and a half
years after the judgement. In particular details were sought on:
• STPs under construction,

• The progress of construction and
• STPs which are still at the planning or tendering stage,
• STPs for which financing or land issues still remain to be resolved.
The DJB has clarified that the 32 new STPs were to be constructed as per the Sewerage Master Plan
(SMP) 2031 and that none of the 32 planned under that Plan have been commissioned. These included
14 STPs proposed to be set up in Najafgarh basin. Seven out of 14 STPs have been sanctioned by
the NMCG and Rs 45 crores released in July 2017. No construction has yet commenced even in
these seven STPs after a lapse of more than a year. The reasons are mostly non availability of land.
Even the two sites where land is in possession of DJB, work has not commenced as the Board is
undertaking a fresh sewage flow study. This clearly shows a complete lack of direction and seriousness
on the part of DJB to move forward on its commitment to NGT given from time to time.
Though not part of 32 STPs covered in the order dated 13-01-2015 four (4) STPs of a total capacity of 80
MGD have been commissioned during the last three and a half years and seven (7) STPs are under
construction/up gradation/rehabilitation. The list of STPs commissioned and those under
construction is at Annexure IV. The status of 32 STPs as per the SMP 2031 which includes 14 STPs that are
proposed to be set up on Najafgarh drain and its tributary drains are at Annexure V. After a joint
meeting with all engineers and CEO DJB held on 04-10-2018 the same points were repeated. A
time of one week was agreed upon for giving the fresh time lines which was not received by the
time this report was going for printing. The minutes of the meeting held by the MC with the
officials of DJB are placed at Annexure VI.
Based on the information received new timelines and deliverables will be worked out and finalized and
reflected in a modified Action plan and included in the Progress report to be sent to NGT as directed
by 31.12. 18.
The Plans for up gradation of the STPs functioning below capacity and those not meeting
standards are also a part of this exercise and had not been provided earlier.
Action Plan
Existing STPs
Sewage treatment at the optimal level is partially a design problem and partially because the
sewage does not reach the STP. For each STP a time frame for up gradation / modification, reduced into
short and medium term milestones like making DPRs, getting financial and administrative
sanction and tendering the work will be got prepared with milestones to be crossed. Thereafter,
every quarter this would be updated on the basis of information provided. The sources from where
funding is likely to become available would be asked for as the only two sources are budgetary
support and funding from NMCG.
New STPs
New timelines for completion of new projects broken down into the various sub activities like DPR,
land, sanction, tendering and construction will be got prepared and new timelines reported to
NGT. A revised list of STPs required, if different from the original planned 32, will be got projected so
as to cater to all the sewage likely to be generated in Delhi in the next 10 years with plants
adhering to the new standards for STPs. The revised schedule will be informed to NGT.
Disclaimer: All the contents of this document are under Copyright.

Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 4.

Sewage Treatment Plants (STP)

i) Functioning and Upgradation of Existing STPs

Setting up of new STPs

• STPs under construction,

Disclaimer: All the contents of this document are under Copyright.

You might also like