PANAJI: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has reached out to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department
advocating for the implementation of its directive mandating that all residential complexes with 24 or more flats
install sewage treatment plants (STPs).
In correspondence with the chief town planner, GSPCB emphasized that builders are responsible for maintaining the STP
for a duration of three years or until the complex is transferred to the housing society.
As per the Goa Land Development and Buildings Regulations, 2010, STPs are currently only required
for complexes with 50 or more flats. If units are linked to existing sewerage lines, an STP is not obligatory. However,
GSPCB revised its stance after conducting a scientific study on the waste produced by residential complexes.
During a meeting last year, the board deliberated on the matter, noting that STPs in residential complexes are
involved in public interest litigation currently pending before the high court. In a ruling issued on September 11,
the court remarked that the state government has yet to finalize the minimum number of flats necessitating an STP
and that this decision should be made in conjunction with the pollution control board.
While reviewing the existing 50-flat threshold, GSPCB resolved to request the state government to
lower this requirement to complexes with more than 24 flats, based on scientific evaluations of wastewater production.
The board acknowledged receiving numerous complaints regarding the inadequate functioning of STPs in these complexes,
which often leads to the release of untreated wastewater into the environment. Builders typically gain approval to
establish and operate STPs, but after selling the flats, “the builder often fails to maintain the STP or, in some
instances, does not hand it over to the housing society.” This neglect leads to conflicts and renders the STP
non-operational. The board added that once an STP is transferred, housing societies must be equipped and trained
to operate and maintain it.
