The Chhattisgarh State Pollution Control Board (CSPCB), officially known as the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, is the state’s primary authority for implementing and enforcing environmental laws related to water and air pollution. Established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, CSPCB’s mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the quality of the environment in Chhattisgarh. The Board plays a crucial role in monitoring pollution, setting standards, granting approvals, and ensuring that industries, municipalities, and other stakeholders comply with environmental norms.
Why the CSPCB Is Important
CSPCB is vital for the welfare of Chhattisgarh’s residents and the state’s natural resources. Here’s why:
Enforcing Pollution Control Laws: The Board ensures that water bodies and air remain free from harmful contaminants by strictly implementing pollution control legislation.
Setting and Monitoring Standards: CSPCB establishes effluent discharge standards for industries, municipalities, and sewage treatment plants (STPs), and regularly monitors compliance through inspections and sampling.
Promoting Sustainable Development: By balancing economic growth with environmental protection, CSPCB supports sustainable urbanization and industrialization in Chhattisgarh.
Encouraging Clean Technologies: The Board advocates for advanced, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly technologies for waste management and pollution abatement.
Issuing Certifications and Consents: CSPCB grants environmental clearances and operational consents to new and existing projects, ensuring adherence to environmental norms.
The Role of CSPCB in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
CSPCB is at the forefront of regulating and improving sewage treatment in Chhattisgarh:
Norms and Enforcement: The Board sets state-specific norms for the design, operation, and maintenance of STPs, ensuring they align with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines.
Review and Approval: It carefully reviews STP plans, technologies, and specifications before granting approvals, ensuring only compliant and effective systems are installed.
Audits and Inspections: CSPCB conducts regular audits, on-site inspections, and effluent sampling to ensure STPs consistently meet prescribed discharge standards.
Online Monitoring: The Board mandates the installation of real-time online monitoring systems in STPs to track key parameters and flag any deviations immediately.
Enforcement Actions: If violations occur, CSPCB can impose penalties, mandate corrective actions, and suspend or revoke operational consents.
How CSPCB Guidelines Help Chhattisgarh
CSPCB’s STP guidelines, closely aligned with national CPCB standards, deliver multiple benefits:
Protecting Water Bodies and Public Health: By enforcing strict discharge norms (e.g., BOD ≤ 10 mg/L, TSS ≤ 10 mg/L, COD ≤ 50 mg/L, pH 6.5–8.5), CSPCB prevents harmful pollutants from entering rivers, lakes, and groundwater, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and ecological damage.
Promoting Water Reuse: The guidelines encourage the reuse of treated sewage for non-potable purposes like toilet flushing, landscaping, and industrial processes, helping conserve precious freshwater resources.
Advancing Technology Adoption: CSPCB supports the use of advanced, modular, and energy-efficient STP technologies, making compliance easier and more cost-effective for both urban and rural projects.
Capacity Building: The Board provides technical guidance, training, and public awareness programs to help municipalities, industries, and communities achieve and maintain compliance.
Important Parameters Monitored by CSPCB in STPs
CSPCB mandates that treated sewage from STPs must meet stringent discharge standards, closely following CPCB norms. The most important parameters include:
| Parameter | Discharge Limit |
|---|---|
|
pH |
6.5 – 8.5 |
|
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
≤ 10 mg/L |
|
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) |
≤ 50 mg/L |
|
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) |
≤ 10 mg/L |
|
Ammonical Nitrogen |
≤ 5 mg/L |
|
Total Nitrogen |
≤ 5 mg/L |
|
Fecal Coliform |
≤ 100 MPN/100 mL |
These parameters are monitored through real-time sensors and regular sampling to ensure compliance and protect both the environment and public health.
Consequences of Non-Compliance with CSPCB STP Norms
Non-compliance with CSPCB’s STP guidelines can result in serious consequences:
Legal Action and Penalties: Offenders can face significant fines, legal proceedings, and even imprisonment under the Water Act and NGT directives.
Operational Disruption: CSPCB may suspend or cancel operational consents and environmental clearances, leading to the shutdown of non-compliant facilities.
Environmental Compensation: Entities causing environmental damage may be required to pay compensation, which can range from lakhs to crores of rupees depending on the severity and duration of the violation.
Reputational Damage: Public disclosure of violations can harm the reputation of industries, developers, and local bodies, affecting business and public trust.
Criminal Proceedings: In severe or persistent cases, responsible officials or organizations may face criminal prosecution.
How SUSBIO and SUSBIO ECOTREAT Support Compliance
SUSBIO and its advanced solution, SUSBIO ECOTREAT, are helping organizations and communities in Chhattisgarh meet and exceed CSPCB and CPCB norms:
Dual-Treatment Technology: SUSBIO ECOTREAT combines anaerobic and aerobic processes for comprehensive removal of organic and inorganic contaminants, ensuring treated water consistently meets regulatory standards.
Prefabricated, Modular Design: The system is delivered ready-to-install, reducing setup time and costs, and is scalable to meet the needs of residential, commercial, or industrial projects.
Energy Efficiency: Consumes up to 90% less electricity than traditional STPs, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Real-Time Monitoring: Equipped with advanced sensors and automation for continuous tracking of key parameters, ensuring operational transparency and immediate corrective action if needed.
Minimal Maintenance: Fully automated and robust, requiring little human intervention and reducing operational hassles.
Water Reuse Ready: The treated water is safe for reuse in landscaping, flushing, and other non-potable applications, supporting water conservation efforts.
By choosing SUSBIO and SUSBIO ECOTREAT, users not only ensure regulatory compliance but also contribute to sustainable water management and environmental protection in Chhattisgarh.
Important FAQs about CSPCB STP Guidelines
Q1: What are the key effluent standards for STPs in Chhattisgarh (2025)?
The main standards are BOD ≤ 10 mg/L, TSS ≤ 10 mg/L, COD ≤ 50 mg/L, pH between 6.5–8.5, Ammonical Nitrogen ≤ 5 mg/L, Total Nitrogen ≤ 5 mg/L, and Fecal Coliform ≤ 100 MPN/100 mL.
Q2: Who needs to install an STP in Chhattisgarh?
All industries, residential complexes, commercial establishments, and municipalities generating sewage are required to install and operate STPs as per CSPCB guidelines.
Q3: What happens if my STP fails to meet discharge standards?
Non-compliance can lead to fines, legal action, revocation of consent, and even criminal prosecution in severe cases.
Q4: How does SUSBIO ECOTREAT ensure compliance?
It uses advanced dual treatment, real-time monitoring, and robust design to consistently meet regulatory norms, minimize energy use, and simplify maintenance.
Q5: Can treated water from STPs be reused?
Yes, CSPCB and CPCB encourage the reuse of treated water for landscaping, toilet flushing, and industrial processes, provided it meets quality standards.
Conclusion
The Chhattisgarh State Pollution Control Board is central to the state’s efforts to control pollution, protect public health, and promote sustainable development. Its rigorous STP regulations, enforcement powers, and focus on advanced technologies ensure that sewage is treated safely and efficiently. Non-compliance carries significant legal, financial, and reputational risks, making adherence to these norms essential. Innovative solutions like SUSBIO ECOTREAT make compliance easier, more reliable, and more sustainable, helping Chhattisgarh move toward a cleaner, healthier future.
