A Complete Guide to Revised STP Effluent Discharge Standards: MoEF&CC Notification 2017

STP effluent discharge standards – MoEF&CC

Effluent discharge standards for sewage treatment plants (STPs) play a critical role in safeguarding the environment and public health. The revised norms issued on October 13, 2017, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) mark a significant step forward in regulating wastewater treatment. These guidelines, established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, aim to ensure that treated sewage meets stringent quality standards before being discharged into water bodies or reused. The updated standards address key pollutants, including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, to reduce environmental harm. They emphasize sustainable water management practices, such as recycling treated sewage for non-potable uses like irrigation, industrial cooling, or landscaping. Understanding these regulations is essential for industries, municipalities, and residential societies to maintain compliance and contribute to cleaner water resources. This guide explains the MoEF&CC 2017 norms and their implications for effective wastewater management.

Our Products

The HECS Ultima Series Packaged Sewage Treatment Plant provides modern wastewater management solutions. These advanced STPs efficiently serve residential, commercial and industrial wastewater treatment needs.

The HECS Amaze MBR Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) demonstrates advanced wastewater processing using innovative Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology and intelligent control technologies. It serves a variety of applications in residential complexes, corporate centers, and manufacturing facilities, providing compliant treatment solutions while allowing for water recycling. The integrated HECS SmartHub App offers real-time monitoring and control, hence improving operational performance and user accessibility.

HECS MediClear Packaged Effluent Treatment Plant (PETP) offers advanced medical wastewater treatment for hospitals. This innovative system effectively processes wastewater from laboratories, operating rooms, autoclaves, and disinfectants, ensuring safe disposal while meeting regulatory standards for medical effluent treatment.

HECS is experienced in providing reliable and ecologically friendly wastewater treatment solutions that meet a range of industrial and environmental needs. Our Customized Packaged Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) combine space-efficient design, simple operation, and sophisticated processing capabilities.

HECS provides modern Residential Sewage Treatment Plants for residential usage, ensuring efficient wastewater management and sustainable living solutions.

HECS offers technological advances Industrial Sewage Treatment Plants for industrial use, offering efficient wastewater management and environmentally sustainable solutions.

Effluent Discharge Standards

HECS packaged sewage treatment plants are designed to meet these stringent standards, offering a compact and efficient solution for treating wastewater. These plants utilize advanced technologies like MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) and SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor) to ensure that treated water complies with the MoEF&CC norms. By reducing pollutants and improving water quality, these systems play a vital role in addressing water pollution challenges.

Moreover, HECS packaged sewage treatment plants facilitate sustainable practices by enabling the reuse of treated water for landscaping, industrial cooling, and irrigation. This not only reduces the strain on freshwater resources but also aligns with the MoEF&CC’s vision for sustainable wastewater management. By adopting HECS packaged sewage treatment plants, communities and industries can ensure regulatory compliance while contributing to a cleaner, greener environment. These systems are ideal for modern wastewater challenges, ensuring efficient performance in a compact footprint.

Effluent discharge standards for sewage treatment plants (STPs)

The updated norms categorise STP discharge standards based on location and mode of disposal, ensuring relevance to regional needs.

 

Parameter

Metro Cities & State Capitals (except certain states/UTs)

Nationwide (General)

pH Range

6.5-9.0

6.5-9.0

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

30 mg/L

Not Specified

Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

50 mg/L

Not Specified

Fecal Coliform (FC)

1,000 MPN/100 mL

Not Specified

Key Features of the Notification

1) Stricter Norms for Metro Cities:

Applies to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune.

These cities face stricter standards due to higher population densities and sewage loads.

  • BOD Limit: 20 mg/L.
  • TSS Limit: 50 mg/L.
2) Relaxed norms for other regions:

Covers areas with smaller populations or less infrastructure.

  • BOD Limit: 30 mg/L.
  • TSS Limit: x100 mg1.
3) Uniform Standard for Fecal Coliform Nationwide:

Treated sewage must have ≤1000 MPN/100 mL of faecal coliform, reducing microbial contamination risks.

4) Discharge into Marine Environments:

Effluent discharged into the sea must meet minimum dilution levels:

  • 150 times dilution at the discharge point.
  • 1500 times dilution at 100 meters away.

Shore discharges must be converted to marine outfalls for better ecological management. 

5) Reuse and Recycling of Treated Effluent:
  • Encourages reuse of treated sewage for irrigation, industrial processes, and urban landscaping.
  • For any application involving human contact, stricter standards must be met.
6) Implementation Timeline
  • New STPs: Standards immediately apply to STPs commissioned after June 1, 2019.
  • Existing STPs: Must comply within five years from the notification date.
FAQs About the Revised STP Standards
1) What are Metro Cities under this notification?

Metro Cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune. Due to their higher population and pollution levels, these cities are subject to stricter norms.

2) How do these norms affect existing STPs?

Existing STPs must be upgraded within five years to meet the revised standards. Non-compliance after this period may result in penalties or operational restrictions.

3) Why is there a uniform standard for faecal coliform?

The uniform limit of $1000 MPN/100 mL helps prevent waterborne diseases and ensures the safer use of treated sewage for non-potable purposes.

4) How does this impact marine discharge?

Effluent discharged into the sea must follow dilution rules and be routed through marine outfalls. This prevents shoreline pollution and protects marine ecosystems.

5) Can treated sewage be reused?

Treated sewage can be reused for irrigation, industry, and non-potable urban applications. It reduces reliance on freshwater and supports sustainable water management.

6) Are the updated standards globally competitive?

These norms align with global best practices, ensuring Indian wastewater treatment facilities are on par with international benchmarks.

For further details on STP effluent discharge standards, we recommend consulting with the HECS Sales Experts. Our experts can provide personalized guidance and the latest updates on environmental regulations in India.

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Manufacturing Facility

Spread over a 2.5 Acres at Sriperumbadur (Chennai), The HECS Manufacturing Facility is a cornerstone of the company's operations. It is dedicated to manufacturing HECS Packaged Waste Water Treatment Systems with a capacity of over 600 units / year. This facility is renowned for its precision and quality, utilising Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) technology to construct robust and efficient treatment systems. its state-of-the-art infrastructure and skilled workforce enable the production of advanced sewage and effluent treatment solutions that meet both national and international standards. The unit is equipped with the latest equipments or manufacturing process. A key aspect of the facility's operation is its capacity to support significant export activities. With a strong emphasis on global standards and compliance, HECS ensures that its products are not only suitable for local markets but are also competitive in the international arena.

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STP Effluent Discharge Standards — Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) 2025