Pressure on Sewage Systems

Bengaluru, known as India’s Silicon Valley, is facing significant challenges in maintaining its sewage infrastructure due to rapid urbanization and population growth. The city’s wastewater treatment facilities are struggling to keep up with the rising demand, putting its environmental sustainability and water security at risk.

Insufficient Treatment Capacity

Bengaluru generates around 2,000 million liters of wastewater daily, but the city’s wastewater treatment plants can only handle a little over half of that, at 1,057 million liters per day. While the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) manages 24 sewage treatment plants (STPs), only 32% of treated water is reused, mainly by large entities like the city’s airport and power plants. Smaller systems, many of which are privately operated, discharge treated wastewater into local lakes without proper guidelines for reuse.

Environmental Impact

This mismatch in wastewater treatment capacity is causing serious environmental issues, such as untreated wastewater entering local rivers and lakes. Additionally, several newly annexed villages have no sewage infrastructure, worsening the pollution of water sources.

Infrastructure Issues and Regulatory Failures

Bengaluru’s state-operated sewage plants are failing to meet the pollution control standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Although the BWSSB plans to build 23 new STPs, experts warn that these may not be enough to keep up with the city’s growing population.

Recommendations for Improvement

Experts like Dr. Veena Srinivasan from ATREE suggest that existing sewage treatment systems are not suited to handle the variety of wastewater produced in Bengaluru. Many households lack direct sewage connections, and wastewater is often directed into stormwater drains, mixing with industrial waste and garbage. One suggested solution is to decentralize treatment by creating smaller, specialized plants that cater to specific areas and types of wastewater.

Looking Toward Sustainable Solutions

Bengaluru’s sewage crisis highlights the importance of aligning urban growth with sustainable water management practices. By upgrading infrastructure, decentralizing treatment systems, and providing specialized training, the city could alleviate its sewage issues while setting an example for other rapidly expanding cities facing similar challenges.