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According to a report submitted by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), almost half of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Haryana fail to meet the prescribed pollution control standards. This non-compliance implies that a significant amount of untreated or improperly treated wastewater is being discharged into the Yamuna and Ghaggar rivers. Out of the 156 STPs assessed, 73 (46%) were found to be not in adherence to the standards.
The HSPCB's data, collected between February and April of this year, reveals that among the 59 STPs located in the Yamuna catchment area, 25 do not meet the prescribed standards. Similarly, 23 out of the 62 STPs designated to discharge treated sewage into the Ghaggar river also fall short of the standards. Additionally, 25 STPs located away from rivers were found to be non-compliant. These findings are significant considering the 2015 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to clean up the Yamuna and establish STPs to prevent the discharge of untreated waste into the river.
The Yamuna river, one of the most polluted rivers in India, suffers from the accumulation of untreated wastewater, industrial effluents, and pesticide residues originating from cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding areas. Previous surveys conducted by the CPCB in Haryana have exposed the mixing of sewage with chemicals and industrial waste in common effluent treatment plants (CETPs). Furthermore, in 2018, CPCB officials and experts identified high levels of ammonia being released into the river from drains in Haryana.
In response to the report, environmentalists have emphasized that untreated or partially treated sewage has been continuously discharged into rivers for decades, resulting in highly toxic water bodies. They stress the importance of proper sewage processing to mitigate the harmful impact on both surface water and groundwater. HSPCB Chairperson P Raghavendra Rao acknowledged the issue and stated that the board has increased inspections of STPs and is closely monitoring polluting industries. Additionally, the HSPCB has requested regional officers to conduct inspections and report any deficiencies in the functioning of STPs in their respective areas.
To address the situation, the state plans to upgrade 25 STPs by December 2025 and establish infrastructure to facilitate the reuse of treated sewage from 34 STPs by October 2025. Rao explained that the non-compliance of existing STPs with the prescribed norms can be attributed to the modifications made to the standards in 2020, which were more stringent compared to when these STPs were originally constructed.
The inadequate compliance of STPs in Haryana with pollution control standards, leading to the discharge of untreated or poorly treated wastewater into rivers is highlighted. Efforts are being made to address this issue through inspections, monitoring, and the planned upgrade and reuse of sewage from STPs. However, there is a pressing need to ensure proper sewage treatment to safeguard the health and sustainability of water bodies in the region.
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