CLARIFICATION ON STP REQUIREMENT FOR APARTMENT COMMUNITIES
Further to statement made by the Honβble Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Govt. of Karnataka in a press conference, as well as subsequent media reports stating that apartment communities with more than 80 units are required to have Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), BAF would like to clarify that the reference to βmore than 80 unitsβ in the media reports, is inaccurate.
The notification of Government of Karnataka via Corrigendum dated 12 March 2024, the minimum threshold for an apartment/residential community requiring an STP continues to remain at 120 homes or 80 KLD , and there has been no subsequent change to this threshold.The notification can be referred to here:
WHY STPS FOR SMALLER APARTMENT COMMUNITIES NEED CAREFUL CONSIDERATION
BAF has consistently highlighted the technical and operational challenges associated with mandating STPs for smaller apartment communities, particularly where the quantity of sewage generated is low and maintaining a treatment plant becomes economically and operationally unviable.Members may refer to this study and analysis explaining the concerns around STPs for smaller communities:
PROGRESS ON REUSE AND SALE OF TREATED UNUSED WATER - 50% CAN BE SOLD
BAF would also like to highlight an important policy as a consequence of hard fought gains after years of convincing the governments.
On 3 April 2024, the Government of Karnataka notified a policy permitting private STP operators, including STPs operated by residential complexes, to sell up to 50% of excess treated water, subject to prescribed quality and regulatory standards, after ensuring that at least 50% is utilized in-situ.
This has been a long-standing demand of BAF. Over the last two years, BAF has made sustained efforts to present data, evidence and practical use cases on the merits of allowing good-quality treated water to be put to productive off-site use, rather than requiring apartments to consume 100% of the treated water within their premises.The policy documents can be referred to below:
BAF is encouraged to see some traction on this issue, including our recent engagement with the BWSSB Chairperson, and we will continue to pursue practical solutions for apartment communities. Members will be kept informed as there are further developments.
Communication Control #1612
Advisory
Issue Date 08 September 2026
Audience: Management Committees of Member Apartments
CLARIFICATION ON STP REQUIREMENT FOR APARTMENT COMMUNITIES
Further to statement made by the Honβble Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Govt. of Karnataka in a press conference, as well as subsequent media reports stating that apartment communities with more than 80 units are required to have Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), BAF would like to clarify that the reference to βmore than 80 unitsβ in the media reports, is inaccurate.
The notification of Government of Karnataka via Corrigendum dated 12 March 2024, the minimum threshold for an apartment/residential community requiring an STP continues to remain at 120 homes or 80 KLD , and there has been no subsequent change to this threshold.The notification can be referred to here:
WHY STPS FOR SMALLER APARTMENT COMMUNITIES NEED CAREFUL CONSIDERATION
BAF has consistently highlighted the technical and operational challenges associated with mandating STPs for smaller apartment communities, particularly where the quantity of sewage generated is low and maintaining a treatment plant becomes economically and operationally unviable.Members may refer to this study and analysis explaining the concerns around STPs for smaller communities:
PROGRESS ON REUSE AND SALE OF TREATED UNUSED WATER - 50% CAN BE SOLD
BAF would also like to highlight an important policy as a consequence of hard fought gains after years of convincing the governments.
On 3 April 2024, the Government of Karnataka notified a policy permitting private STP operators, including STPs operated by residential complexes, to sell up to 50% of excess treated water, subject to prescribed quality and regulatory standards, after ensuring that at least 50% is utilized in-situ.
This has been a long-standing demand of BAF. Over the last two years, BAF has made sustained efforts to present data, evidence and practical use cases on the merits of allowing good-quality treated water to be put to productive off-site use, rather than requiring apartments to consume 100% of the treated water within their premises.The policy documents can be referred to below:
BAF is encouraged to see some traction on this issue, including our recent engagement with the BWSSB Chairperson, and we will continue to pursue practical solutions for apartment communities. Members will be kept informed as there are further developments.
Communication Control #1612
Advisory
Issue Date 08 September 2026
Audience: Management Committees of Member Apartments
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