Govt dept seeks 2-week time from NGT to file reply over STP samples

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its recent report has indicated that industrial waste is being discharged in the sewer lines at about six local govt-run sewage treatment plants (STPs). The Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) is now gearing up to approach the local office of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to find out the sources from where the industrial effluents are being released into the sewer lines, said sources.

Samples found containing industrial effluents

• Case pertains to dirty water being released by sewage treatment plants in the dried-up Sahabi river area
• The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the samples were found many folds higher than the prescribed limit, which clearly shows that industrial effluents are being released in the sewer lines through unknown sources.
• The STPs are operated to treat only domestic sewage. As per norms, the industrial units are bound to treat their effluents on their own by setting up a plant on their premises.

Not domestic waste

The BOD and the COD cannot be so high as mentioned in the CPCB’s report if it is only domestic waste. — VP Chauhan, Executive Engineer, PHED

Sources claim that the PHED has sought two-week time from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to file their objections regarding the CPCB’s report which has found the STPs being operated by the government departments in the district not complying with the discharge norms prescribed by the NGT. These STPs are being operated by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the PHED in Kharkhara, Dharuhera, Nasiaji road, Kaluwas village and Bawal town of the district.

“Following the NGT’s direction, the CPCB collected the sample from the inlet and outlet of the STPs in September. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the samples were found many folds higher than the prescribed limit, which clearly shows that industrial effluents are being released in the sewer lines through unknown sources. The STPs are operated to treat only domestic sewage.

“The BOD and the COD cannot be so high as mentioned in the CPCB’s report if it is only domestic waste,” said VP Chauhan, Executive Engineer, PHED. Chauhan maintained since the HSPCB deals with industries, hence they would now write to the local office of the HSPCB to find out such industrial units which were illegally releasing its effluents into the sewer lines. As per norms, the industrial units are bound to treat their effluents on their own by setting up a plant in their premises, he added.

Sources said the CPCB had recently submitted its report to the NGT in connection with a complaint filed by local resident Prakash Yadav of Kharkara village here. While hearing the complaint, the NGT had, on August 14, directed the CPCB to submit its report about the STPs as to whether they are meeting the prescribed standards or not. Then, the CPCB collected the samples of inlet and outlets of all the STPs.

In his complaint filed two years ago, Yadav claimed that the sewage being discharged by the STPs not only led to the contamination of groundwater but also damaged trees and other vegetation. “Foul still emanates from the dirty water accumulated in the area of dried-up Sahabi river, which is a clear indication that the water was untreated,” Yadav had said.