Call against compulsory sewage plants in existing apartments

The Federation of Apartment Associations Bengaluru (FAAB) has criticised the diktat on the compulsory installation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in old apartments with 50 flats and more.

In March, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) took the decision on the compulsory installation of STPs and set aSeptember 9 deadline. However, 912 apartments in Bengaluru are yet to instal the STPs. The BWSSB will fine them 25% of water charges now, 50% after three months and 100% after nine months.

The water board has extended the deadline to December 31, 2017.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is also issuing notices to apartments that it will ask Bescom to stop the power supply if they do not instal the STPs, C S V Prasad, president, FAAB, said.

FAAB wants the BWSSB to limit the rule to upcoming apartments and has sought an exemption for existing apartments that lack proper infrastructure to build an STP.

“New apartments can design and implement these STPs but not the old ones since the entire building will be under threat. Also, we have paid a lot of money to the BWSSB for the pipeline connection. It’s their job to treat wastewater,” S Shivakumar, general secretary, FAAB, said.

Apartment owners lack the expertise to maintain the STP. “If the BWSSB says all apartments need to build STPs, we neither have enough space nor the expertise to maintain them. It is the responsibility of the BWSSB to instal and maintain the STPs,” Shivakumar added.