Panaji: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has written to the town and country planning (TCP) department seeking enforcement of its decision that all residential complexes with 24 or more flats must install sewage treatment plants (STPs).In a letter to the chief town planner, the polution board also stated that builders must maintain the STP for three years or until the complex is handed over to the housing society.
Under the Goa Land Development and Buildings Regulations, 2010, STPs are mandatory only for complexes with 50 or more flats. An STP is not required if the units are connected to existing sewerage lines. However, GSPCB conducted a scientific study on the volume of waste generated by housing complexes before revising its recommendation.At a meeting last year, the board discussed the issue, noting that STPs in residential complexes are the subject of a public interest litigation before the high court. In its Sep 11 order, the court observed that the state government is yet to take a final decision on the minimum number of flats requiring an STP, and that the decision should be taken in consultation with the pollution control board.While considering the existing 50-flat norm under the regulations, the GSPCB resolved to urge the state government to lower the threshold to more than 24 flats, based on its scientific assessment of wastewater generation.The board noted that it frequently receives complaints that STPs in housing complexes are not functioning properly, leading to discharge of untreated effluent in the open. It also observed that builders obtain consent to establish and operate from the board, but after selling the flats, “the builder does not maintain the STP and in some cases does not hand over the same to the housing society”. As a result, disputes arise and the STP remains non-operational. The board added that once the STP is handed over, the housing society must be trained to operate and maintain it.
