Gurgaon: A major gap in the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon's (MCG) decentralized wastewater treatment system has been exposed after the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) found that 10 out of 22 micro sewage treatment plants (STPs) inspected so far were non-functional. The city has 44 micro STPs under MCG, which are small, localized sewage treatment units designed to process wastewater within sectors, colonies, parks, and neighborhood clusters before discharge or reuse. However, with nearly 45 percent of the inspected units not working, concerns are escalating over untreated sewage discharge, drain pollution, and the broader wastewater management framework.
Inspection Findings
Regional officer of HSPCB Gurgaon, Akanksha Tanwar, stated that the inspection drive aims to assess operational efficiency and ensure compliance. "Out of the 22 micro STPs inspected so far, 10 were found non-functional. Necessary directions are being issued to the concerned authorities for corrective action. The remaining units will also be inspected," she said. The findings highlight a critical weakness in the decentralized system, which is considered vital for areas with limited sewer connectivity or where such treatment reduces pressure on larger sewage infrastructure.
Importance of Micro STPs
Micro STPs are crucial for Gurgaon, particularly in areas lacking sewer connections. They are intended to prevent untreated wastewater from flowing directly into stormwater drains and natural channels, while also supporting treated water reuse for horticulture and landscaping. Several micro STPs are located across residential and urban pockets in the city. If these plants remain defunct, sewage may bypass treatment systems and enter local drains, worsening pollution loads in channels like Badshapur drain and the Najafgarh basin.
Operational and Maintenance Issues
While 12 of the inspected plants were operational, the high number of dysfunctional units has raised questions over maintenance standards, technical supervision, and public spending on decentralized sewage infrastructure. HSPCB officials have repeatedly warned that micro STPs can only serve their purpose if regularly maintained and monitored. Mechanical faults, electricity disruptions, poor upkeep, and sludge mismanagement often render them ineffective.
Broader Implications
The findings come amid Gurgaon's ongoing challenges with groundwater depletion, drain pollution, and urban infrastructure stress, making the restoration of these units critical for the city's sewage recycling and pollution control goals. The HSPCB has directed concerned authorities to take corrective action promptly to address the non-functional units and ensure compliance with environmental norms.
