Residents with STPs: Link them to underground drainage

Thousands of Bengaluru’s apartment dwellers are in a fix. Reason: Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in February made it mandatory for all residential apartments with more than 20 units to build a sewage treatment plant (STP), so that the treated water may be “reused” for non-drinking purposes.

The new rule has turned out to be a headache for many. However, the fact that almost a year has passed since the order was first brought out has given at least some residents time to cope with the situation. DH spoke to a few residents to understand their points of view. The most common complaint is that the government has been too quick to mandate STPs in apartments without showing any urgency in linking the treatment plants to the underground drainage system (UGD). Residents who have already set up the STPs find the going tough.

Most residents are aware of the benefits that STPs promise. However, they want the BWSSB to understand the hardships the system has brought with it. To Sudhansu Mohanty, a resident of Whitefield, the government’s decision did not come as a surprise because his apartment had  STPs set up a few years ago. Yet, the system itself has its problems.

He explains: “STPs are a costly affair; we need to account for the constant wear and tear, as the machinery works 24X7.”

The treatment process involves the collection of sludge, and the filters cannot be used after a point. It does not help that each filter costs about Rs 1 lakh. The STPs also run into mechanical difficulties, for which people have to be hired to get them repaired. Ever since the BWSSB made STPs mandatory for apartments, it is now easier to get people to work on them. But, says Sudanshu, skilled labour is still a scarcity.

Most people who sign up for the job do not have any specialised knowledge of how STPs work. They are just mechanics looking for some extra money. Despite this, it is not possible to do away with them as the government has made it mandatory to have the STPs running in good condition.

While residents agree that some of the treated water is indeed useful, there is a surplus that causes inconvenience.

They just do not know what to do with the surplus water. Not every apartment complex is equipped to use the treated water for all needs. For instance, the lack of dual plumbing in many apartments makes it difficult for many to use the treated water even for flushing.

It is illegal to release the water into the drains, although residents complain that there are many establishments and apartment complexes that do so, violating BWSSB laws. The only solution then is to hire tankers to take the surplus treated water out.

While the residents are not sure where the tankers unload the water, their immediate concern is the exorbitant costs charged by the tanker owners.

The demand from apartment residents with STPs installed is this: Connect the UGD to the STPs so that the treated water can be disposed in a better manner and residents do not have to pay to get the treated water removed. Many believe there is a lack of political will to speed up this connection. They want the BWSSB to be more proactive and sort out the issue at the earliest.