Now STP Water Tankers to Be Painted Green: Pune Municipal Corporation’s New Directive

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 27th December 27, 2024: In a bid to prevent health hazards and ensure transparency, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a significant decision to mandate green-colored tankers for the supply of purified sewage water from its Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). These tankers will also display a clear label stating, “This is not drinking water; it is STP water.”

The decision follows a recent incident where a private tanker supplier delivered purified sewage from the Municipal Corporation’s STP to Nyati Elysia Society in Kharadi, allegedly passing it off as potable water. While an investigation is underway and legal action is being processed, this move by the PMC aims to curb malpractice and safeguard public health. PMC and Pune police are contemplating various sections against M/s Shreeram Water Supply for supplying contaminated water to Nyati Elysia society.

PMC processes approximately 450 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage through its nine STPs, with the treated water typically released into rivers or utilized for construction, parks, and industrial purposes. Last year, the civic body mandated the use of STP-treated water for construction projects across the city and even introduced an app for builders and tanker operators to streamline its distribution. However, the app’s limited usage and unchecked practices within the tanker lobby have raised concerns.

“The tanker lobby has stooped to unethical practices to maximize profits, even selling treated sewage as drinking water,” stated Nandkishore Jagtap, Head of the PMC Water Supply Department. “To address this, we have made it compulsory for all tankers supplying STP-treated water to be painted green and labeled as non-potable water. Immediate implementation of this directive has been ordered, and STP water will only be supplied to green-labeled tankers. Housing societies will also be informed of this measure to ensure compliance.”

Jagtap further emphasized that the new rules would not only prevent such incidents but also create awareness among residents and industries using treated water. The municipal administration hopes this move will ensure that STP-treated water is used solely for its intended purposes and not misrepresented as drinking water.