Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has made it compulsory for large housing societies to install monitoring sensors on sewage treatment plants (STPs) to ensure proper wastewater treatment and prevent untreated sewage from entering the city's drainage network and rivers. The rule applies to residential complexes with more than 100 flats and will cover nearly 750 private STPs across Pune. The sensors will send real-time operational and water quality data to a central civic monitoring system. The step forms part of the civic body's wider effort to control pollution in the Mula Mutha river and strengthen sewage management in the city.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has directed large housing societies in Pune to install monitoring sensors on sewage treatment plants (STPs) operating within their premises. The order applies to residential complexes with more than 100 flats and is expected to cover around 750 private STPs across the city. Advertisement
Building regulations already require large housing projects to install in-house STPs to treat wastewater generated within the complex. These systems are meant to process sewage locally and release only treated water into drainage lines or reuse it for non-drinking purposes such as gardening and flushing. However, civic inspections found that many societies were either not operating their treatment plants regularly or had shut them down to avoid operational and maintenance costs.
Officials of the civic body indicated that such lapses often result in untreated sewage being discharged directly into stormwater drains. This wastewater eventually flows into the Mula and Mutha rivers, contributing to rising pollution levels. Environmental groups and experts have repeatedly highlighted untreated domestic sewage as one of the major sources of river contamination in Pune.
To address the issue, the municipal administration has decided to introduce digital monitoring of private sewage treatment facilities. Sensors installed on STPs will record whether the plant is functioning and track important water quality parameters of treated wastewater. The system will automatically send real-time data to a central dashboard managed by the civic body.
Through this dashboard, municipal officials will be able to monitor whether treatment plants are operating as required and whether treated water meets the prescribed environmental standards before discharge. Continuous monitoring is expected to help authorities identify non-compliance quickly and take action where necessary.
Authorities have clarified that housing societies will be responsible for installing the sensors and maintaining the monitoring equipment. Civic officials also indicated that strict action could be taken if societies fail to operate their treatment plants or violate wastewater discharge norms.
The move follows similar technology-based monitoring methods adopted by the civic administration in other sectors. For example, pollution monitoring sensors have already been installed at several construction sites in the city to track dust and air quality levels. The same digital approach is now being extended to sewage treatment facilities located within private residential developments.
The decision is also linked to wider concerns over pollution in the Mula Mutha river system, which flows through Pune and several surrounding areas. Untreated sewage entering the river has affected water quality, aquatic life and downstream ecosystems. Improving compliance among private STPs is considered an important step in reducing sewage discharge into these water bodies.
Alongside monitoring private treatment plants, the municipal corporation has been working to strengthen the city's overall sewage treatment capacity. Pune currently generates about 980 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, while the civic system treats around 630 MLD through its existing treatment plants.
To bridge this gap, the city is upgrading older treatment facilities and building additional STPs. Several projects are underway under the Mula Mutha river pollution abatement programme. The civic administration is upgrading six existing plants and constructing 11 new treatment facilities with a combined capacity of around 396 MLD.
Rapid urban growth in Pune has significantly increased wastewater generation over the past decade. As residential development continues to expand, decentralised sewage treatment systems inside housing complexes have become an important component of the city's wastewater management framework. Civic authorities believe that monitoring these systems digitally will help ensure that they function properly and contribute to reducing pollution levels in the long term.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
