<p>Nearly six years after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) set new standards for the operation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has started work on upgrading nearly 20 STPs in the city.</p>.<p>Many of these STPs were constructed a long time ago and were in line with the earlier standards set by the NGT.</p>.<p>“The NGT changed the standards in 2019. A few of our STPs could not meet these standards since many of them were built nearly 15 years ago. The machinery was outdated and hence could not meet the new standards. However, due to financial constraints, we could not take up the upgradation works immediately,” a senior BWSSB official said.</p>.<p>The upgradation is being undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 991.6 crore. The 20 STPs that will be upgraded have a cumulative capacity to process 763 MLD of sewage. The upgrade is expected to be completed by December 2025.</p>.Replace damaged slab cover of drains, BBMP tells BWSSB.<p>The upgrade is being undertaken following a report from researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), who, in 2020, inspected the quality of output at each of the 36 STPs operated by BWSSB. They suggested upgrades for 20 of them.</p>.<p>Based on the IISc report, BWSSB prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and approached various agencies for funding. However, BWSSB is now fully funding the project.</p>.<p>In 2019, the NGT revised the standards for treated water by enacting stricter norms. The acceptable level of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in treated water was reduced to 10 milligrams per liter, down from the previous level of 20 mg/l. Additionally, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and total nitrogen, which were not previously recorded, must now be restricted to 20 and 10 mg/liter, respectively. Total suspended solids must be less than 50 mg/l, compared to the previous limit of 100 mg/l.</p>
<p>Nearly six years after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) set new standards for the operation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has started work on upgrading nearly 20 STPs in the city.</p>.<p>Many of these STPs were constructed a long time ago and were in line with the earlier standards set by the NGT.</p>.<p>“The NGT changed the standards in 2019. A few of our STPs could not meet these standards since many of them were built nearly 15 years ago. The machinery was outdated and hence could not meet the new standards. However, due to financial constraints, we could not take up the upgradation works immediately,” a senior BWSSB official said.</p>.<p>The upgradation is being undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 991.6 crore. The 20 STPs that will be upgraded have a cumulative capacity to process 763 MLD of sewage. The upgrade is expected to be completed by December 2025.</p>.Replace damaged slab cover of drains, BBMP tells BWSSB.<p>The upgrade is being undertaken following a report from researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), who, in 2020, inspected the quality of output at each of the 36 STPs operated by BWSSB. They suggested upgrades for 20 of them.</p>.<p>Based on the IISc report, BWSSB prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and approached various agencies for funding. However, BWSSB is now fully funding the project.</p>.<p>In 2019, the NGT revised the standards for treated water by enacting stricter norms. The acceptable level of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in treated water was reduced to 10 milligrams per liter, down from the previous level of 20 mg/l. Additionally, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and total nitrogen, which were not previously recorded, must now be restricted to 20 and 10 mg/liter, respectively. Total suspended solids must be less than 50 mg/l, compared to the previous limit of 100 mg/l.</p>
