PUNE: The declining health of rivers in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad has repeatedly come under scrutiny in recent years.
According to citizens, activists, and experts, a significant factor is the inadequate sewage treatment plants (STP) managing the wastewater flowing into these water bodies, both at the municipal level and in individual residential complexes.
In a January 19 ruling this year, the Bombay High Court mandated that all municipal corporations across the state ensure no occupancy certificates (OC) are issued for high-rises lacking proper connections to the civic sewage lines or without an STP on-site.
This ruling is particularly important as rapid redevelopment is leading to new housing societies popping up daily, raising urgent concerns over access to essential resources like clean water.
The recent Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Pune exemplifies the pressing need for efficient sewage management; last year, the drinking supply was tainted by wastewater, highlighting the potential for public health crises.
Persistent Health Threat
In February 2024, residents of Blue Ridge, a township housing approximately 20,000 individuals in Hinjewadi, were alarmed to discover bloodworms (chironomid larvae) in their drinking water, which is sourced directly from the Mula river, continuously polluted by upstream sewage.
“When we alerted the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation (MIDC), it was revealed that untreated sewage was directly dumped into the river. Officials relocated the offending pipe move away from our intake, temporarily resolving the issue. However, that wasn’t the sole source of sewage dumping,” explained Vijay Patil, a former committee member working with local officials.
He further noted, “Numerous smaller settlements upstream, especially with growing labor camps, lack proper sewage disposal methods. Additionally, agricultural land along the river is contaminated through continued fertilizer usage. We have long endured this pollution, and since this water is vital for drinking and other utilities, the threat of disease remains ever-present. We adhere strictly to our STP regulations, fully aware of the consequences of untreated sewage being released into any waterbody.”
The treated water from the Blue Ridge STP that isn’t utilized by residents is used to irrigate the golf course on its property. The township has also contacted the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) and MIDC for an alternative drinking water source, considering both the short- and long-term risks of using contaminated water.
Contaminated Natural Water Sources
Sadly, cases of untreated wastewater polluting groundwater and unconnected sewage systems remain pervasive in the city.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has established 294 Water Quality Monitoring Stations across Maharashtra. According to a 2023-24 report by the board, groundwater quality at six Pune stations raised alarming concerns; only two recorded ‘good water’ (non-polluted), one was deemed ‘poor’ (polluted), while three were classified as ‘unsuitable for drinking’ (heavily polluted).
For instance, at Casa Imperia Phase 1 in Wakad, society chairman Nitin Selute reported that the sole well on their premises, once their main water source, has been contaminated by the sewage from nearby areas, especially upstream.
“There’s a nullah beside our society that used to be a stream. The sewage began leaching into our well. We attempted to treat the water but it was so filthy that even our STP couldn’t handle it. Consequently, our flush tanks started stinking. For our safety, we ceased using the well, becoming entirely reliant on water tankers. We spend ₹24-26 lakhs annually on domestic and drinking water for 160 flats—40-45% of our budget,” Selute reported.
“We live in constant fear of illness. It’s the civic body’s duty to provide water for all or ensure we have access to clean sources. If new buildings are allowed, the necessary amenities must be provided, and awareness regarding the impact of our actions on others must be raised. Accountability among societies, builders, citizens, and civic departments must be mandatory,” he added.
Currently, society members are focused on enhancing internal awareness about water conservation, facing adverse circumstances despite their fully operational 100 kilolitres/day (KLD) STP functioning at full capacity.
Treated water is repurposed for flushing, ensuring total reuse of the wastewater generated within the premises, with no existing outlet for discharge outside the society. The STP undergoes monthly inspections from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) as well.
Looking to the future, the society is also receiving guidance from Mission Groundwater, a local initiative aimed at promoting sustainable groundwater management.
Residents of Casa Imperia Phase 1 are preparing to submit a letter to various authorities, including MPCB and PCMC, proposing actions to restore the adjacent stream.
Mission Groundwater founder Ravindra Sinha noted, “Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad together host around 1,000 private STPs in residential and commercial buildings. The majority are functioning, which is positive. Several societies utilize treated water for flushing, with some also using it for gardening. However, a significant portion of this water eventually ends up in either a sewage line on route to the municipal STP or directly into a stream or river.”
Sinha emphasized, “Mistakenly, many buildings have inoperative STPs. The lack of routine inspections or penalties means these societies evade consequences. The expense of running an STP deters many; however, there exists a lower tariff plan from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), applicable to both STPs and water treatment plants (WTPs).”
Awareness Gap as a Primary Issue
Pradeep Pawar, head of Shree Water Tech, a wastewater and sewage treatment facility in Wakad, emphasized that misunderstanding the crucial role of a functional STP dominates the issues faced across various regions.
“It is vital for every society’s STP to not only be operational but also well-maintained. Some choose to bypass necessary procedures due to high operational or electricity costs, which is mistaken. Misunderstandings abound—many societies trust local individuals for maintenance and operations to cut costs. Yet, these individuals often lack the requisite knowledge, resulting in higher expenses in the long run,” explained Pawar, a chemical engineer.
“The STP’s size and operating costs are contingent on the required capacity based on the societal population. Often, the treated water must be discharged into drainage lines since the inflow exceeds what can be utilized for flushing or gardening,” he elaborated.
“Ultimately, collaboration between government authorities, municipal corporations, and residents is essential to effectively tackle the issue of untreated sewage entering our rivers,” Pawar concluded.
Official Commentary
As per the UDCPR 2020, all new societies with over 100 flats must recycle greywater post-treatment. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the distinction between grey water (e.g., showers, laundry) and black water (e.g., toilets), with the latter being considerably more challenging and costly to treat. At PMC, we established a committee led by the additional commissioner, which I am part of, including other officials and two representatives from builder associations. We’ve convened three or four meetings addressing builder challenges. While around 80% of societies in PMC have functional STPs, they aren’t always utilized for varied reasons. We are currently exploring options for software that provides real-time STP monitoring. In peripheral areas, the sewage network is often inadequate; we have a master plan to address this.” Jagdish Khanore | Chief Engineer, Drainage Department, PMC
“We have issued notices to approximately 84 societies for non-functional STPs thus far. Many neglect to operate STPs due to costs, odor, or a reluctance to assume responsibility. Conflicts between builders and society residents regarding handover further complicate matters, leaving some STPs non-operational. Additionally, several societies have unauthorized connections to drainage lines, which we are currently investigating. Our existing 16,000 km drainage network is set to extend by an additional 285 km under a master plan, along with modifications to older lines. A third-party panel provides consulting services, and we have established a 300-member squad dedicated to regular checks on societies, collecting samples for testing to ensure STPs function correctly. Notices are sent for any discrepancies, and if unresolved, we cut their water supply for rule violations.”
— Sanjay Kulkarni | Chief Engineer, Drainage Department, PCMC
Judicial Matters
A petition was filed with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) following the 2025 GBS crisis, stemming from contaminated groundwater that sickened numerous residents, some with lasting health issues. During this incident, water samples taken from RO plants, private suppliers, and municipal sources in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad revealed unsafe contamination levels far exceeding permissible limits, showing coliforms and E. coli. The NGT petition highlighted these environmental and public health dangers, demanding urgent action to secure clean water supply, periodic quality monitoring, identification and elimination of contamination sources, and accountability among civic authorities and water tanker suppliers under the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle. An overhaul of the degraded sewage system is urgently required to protect every resident of Pune’s fundamental right to safe drinking water.
— Pushkar Kulkarni | NGT Petitioner
Housing societies and high-rise projects are legally mandated under MPCB standards and the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) 2020 to install and maintain STPs and reuse treated sewage. Non-compliance may lead MPCB to deny or withdraw operational consent, issue notices, or even initiate prosecutions. Following the January 2026 directives of the Bombay HC, no OCs will be granted unless a functional STP is established by new societies. Recently, the MPCB has taken punitive measures against a prominent builder in a township project in Pune for recurring violations.
— Maitreya Ghorpade | Environmental Lawyer
Managing STP Costs Effectively
When our society was handed over in September 2019, the electricity tariff we paid was excessive. Through research, we discovered that MSEDCL provides concessional rates for STPs and WTPs, on the condition that the meter measuring electricity for these plants is not connected to any other utility. We submitted our application in February 2020, and by June of that year, our tariff was adjusted. In May 2020, we paid ₹11.71/unit, which dropped to ₹5.11/unit following the concession. This change halved our monthly bill from approximately ₹6.5 lakhs to ₹3.2 lakhs.
— Narayan Wadekar | Committee Member, Hinjewadi Hills Phase 2
Application Process
- Ensure the WTP and STP have a dedicated meter.
- Each society should verify their WTP and STP meter category, which is likely LT I A, and change it to LT III.
- Check the total load of the WTP and STP, as there are three categories under LT III, each with different charges.
- Submit an application to the MSEDCL assistant engineer for your zone, attaching a copy of the circular, meter reading photo, and receipts from the last three months.
- All bills must be cleared before submitting the application.
- Getting an energy audit from a qualified energy auditor is highly recommended for optimal results.
