Pollution control board considers common STPs for large restaurants

NT Reporter

Panaji

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has decided to explore the possibility of connecting restaurants with a seating capacity of 36 or more to common sewage treatment facilities, acknowledging that many establishments operating from commercial complexes lack the space to install individual sewage treatment plants (STPs) mandated under pollution control norms. The issue came up before the board following revised wastewater discharge standards for the hotel industry and STPs pursuant to orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in O.A. No. 1069/2018.

The board noted that restaurants above 20 seating capacity are presently granted consent to operate, with wastewater often being disposed of through septic tanks and soak pits. However, the revised norms prescribe stringent limits for parameters such as biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids, faecal coliform and oil and grease.

Board members observed that compliance with these standards would be particularly difficult for restaurants located in commercial complexes where space constraints make the installation of treatment facilities impractical.

“In view of the revised standards, it would be difficult for the restaurants to conform to the above standards and also to install the treatment facility as the restaurants are located in complexes,” the board noted.

Consequently, the GSPCB has decided to write to the Sewage and Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) to examine the feasibility of linking such establishments to Public Works Department sewage treatment plants or creating decentralised treatment facilities catering to clusters of commercial establishments.

The board said that a common infrastructure model could provide a practical solution while ensuring compliance with environmental norms.

“The possibility of connecting such restaurants to PWD sewage treatment plants or having decentralised facilities connecting commercial establishments such as restaurants needs to be explored,” the  GSPCB said.

The board has also resolved to send a reminder to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), seeking clarification on the implementation of the revised norms.

The move is expected to provide greater regulatory clarity while balancing environmental safeguards with the operational realities faced by small and medium-sized restaurants in the state.