Noida: Housing societies to face action for violating STP norms

NEW DELHI: The Noida Authority is gearing up to act tough on group housing societies if they continue to violate the STP norms. Apart from laying a good STP network in the city, the authority is in process to ensure developers managing the society do not release untreated water outside the society premises.

The authority is also going to set up two new STPs with an aim to treat 100 per cent sewage in the region by 2031. For the purpose of sewage treatment, Noida has been divided into four sewerage districts, each having one STP. Around 22 networks have been established for 85 sectors (total 176 sectors). For the remaining 91 sectors, 17 networks have been proposed to be developed in a phased manner. The sewage disposal is estimated to be 288 MLD.

Zone C will have a new 80 MLD mechanism, while Zone D will have 100 MLD STP to cater to the growing population by 2031.

According to the authority, for the existing population of 6-7 lakh, 16 sewage pumping stations, 6 master sewage pumping stations and 46 sewage treatment plants of 75 MLD capacity are in place. For future demand, construction of 15 new sewage pumping stations and 6 new master sewage pumping stations are in progress.

Sunil Prasad, vice-president, STP project in Noida Authority, says, “Out of six functional STPs, 50-60% treated water is being used for fire fighting, road construction, filling of ponds and water bodies. Other heavy users are the golf course and Botanical Gardens where we are providing the treated water. Two new STPs of 80 and 100 MLD are under-construction which are going to cater to the needs of the growing population by 2031.”

“Noida is the only city to handle 100 per cent sewage conversion now. The old system is being replaced by repairing and soon we will ensure 100 per cent efficiency. We are upgrading the SBR technology as well to improve STP operations,” explained Prasad.

Treated sewage water in Noida is also being used to improve groundwater in terms of both quantity and quality. Noida has already enforced rain water harvesting by making it mandatory for residential/industrial plots of more than 300 sqm. Rain water harvesting has also been started in parks/green areas by the horticulture wing of Noida Authority. The civil maintenance wing of Noida Authority will construct and maintain rain water harvesting systems in all other government /authority premises.

The authority is also gearing up to be strict and implement STP norms in group housing societies. Officials are in the process to inspect these societies and enforce implementation of STPs within the premises. In an inspection done by the authority last year, several housing societies were found to have non-functional STPs while some did not have STPs at all.

“Group housing societies should have their own STPs. More than 20 housing societies have been warned for not following the STP norms. Inspections are being done and notices are being sent to such societies,” said Prasad.

The UP Pollution Control Board has also sent out show cause notices to societies for not treating sewage within the premises and violating the STP norms. As per Noida authority rules, all group housing societies must treat sewage generated within their premises through STPs.