PCMC to Levy Charges on Treated Wastewater Discharged by Large Housing Societies
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 21st August 2026: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has proposed a new fee for large housing societies and construction projects that dispose of excess treated wastewater through the civic sewerage network. The move comes amid concerns that improperly managed treated wastewater is eventually entering drains and rivers and contributing to pollution.
The proposal applies to housing societies and construction projects spread across more than 20,000 square metres. The proposal has been placed before the PCMC General Body for approval.
According to the civic administration, private housing societies currently reuse only around 30% of the wastewater treated through their sewage treatment plants (STPs). The remaining treated water is either discharged into drains or connected to the municipal sewerage system, increasing the possibility of water eventually reaching rivers.
50% Reuse of Treated Water Mandatory
As per a decision of the state government’s Environment Department, projects with STPs are required to reuse at least 50% of treated wastewater, while the remaining water is required to be connected to the sewerage network.
Treated water is generally reused by housing societies for activities such as gardening, washing vehicles and cleaning internal roads. However, the civic administration has found that many societies are currently reusing only about 30% of their treated water.
The PCMC has now proposed a regulated mechanism under which excess treated wastewater from eligible projects can be connected to the municipal sewerage network after obtaining the necessary permission.
Technical Inspection Before Permission
Construction projects larger than 20,000 square metres are required to keep their STPs operational to obtain environmental clearance from the State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
Under the proposed system, the PCMC’s Environmental Engineering Department will inspect the technical aspects and functioning of the STP before issuing a No-Objection Certificate.
Once the technical requirements are verified, permission will be granted to connect excess treated wastewater to the municipal sewerage network after payment of the applicable charges.
Proposed Charges
The proposed fee structure includes:
– Residential: ₹500 per residential unit
– Commercial: ₹100 per user
– Other users: ₹100 per user
– Sewerage connection: ₹10,000 per connection
The charges are intended to regulate the disposal of excess treated wastewater through the municipal network and ensure that large residential and commercial developments follow prescribed wastewater-management norms.
125 Private STPs Not Operational
Pimpri-Chinchwad currently has 494 private sewage treatment plants with a combined treatment capacity of 106 million litres per day (MLD).
Of these, 369 STPs, with a combined capacity of 83 MLD, are operational. However, 125 STPs, with a capacity of 23 MLD, are currently non-operational, according to an inspection by the Environment Department.
The large number of non-operational STPs has raised concerns over wastewater management in rapidly developing areas of the city.
PCMC: Proper Disposal of Excess Treated Water Needed
Environment Department Executive Engineer Sohan Nikam said treated wastewater from housing societies would be allowed to be disposed of through the municipal sewerage network after obtaining the required permission. A charge of ₹10,000 will be levied per sewerage connection, along with ₹500 per residential unit and ₹100 per commercial user as applicable.
The proposed policy is aimed at strengthening wastewater management, increasing the reuse of treated water and preventing excess wastewater from being discharged into drains and water bodies.
