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Every flush of a toilet, every rinse of a dish in a home or office sends a stream of wastewater swirling down the drain. But what if this water, once deemed waste, could be given a second life?
Across apartments, homes, and businesses, Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are turning this possibility into reality by transforming murky sewage into clean, reusable water. Treated wastewater reuse is a practical solution that saves Rupees, conserves resources, and protects the environment.
This blog explores the many uses of treated water from STP, and shows how STP water reuse can reshape daily life in households and workplaces.
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The Power of Treated Wastewater
India faces a water crunch especially during summers as over 600 million people grapple with water stress. Meanwhile, a single household of four generates 500-800 litres of sewage daily, much of it flushed away untreated.
Sewage treatment plants change this narrative by cleaning wastewater to a level safe for reuse, easing the strain on freshwater supplies. Recycling wastewater through STPs is a cost-saver for apartments, homes, and businesses, cutting water bills by up to 50%.
But what exactly can STP treated water do? Let’s dive into its versatile applications and why it’s a game-changer for urban as well as rural establishments.
How STP Treated Water Is Made Safe for Reuse
Before exploring uses of treated water from STP, it’s worth understanding how sewage becomes reusable. The STP water reuse process involves multiple stages:
- Screening: Removes large debris like plastic or paper.
- Primary Treatment: Settles solids as sludge, skimming off grease.
- Secondary Treatment: Microbes digest organic waste, slashing pollutants by 85-90%.
- Tertiary Treatment: Filters, UV disinfection, or chlorine polish water to meet standards for non-potable use.
The result? STP treated water is clear, odorless, and safe for non-potable water reuse. Think irrigation, flushing, or cooling but not for drinking. This high-quality output makes it a versatile resource for various domestic and business setups.
Related: Features of Sewage Treatment Plant.
Top Uses of Treated Wastewater from STP
Recycling wastewater from STPs opens a range of practical applications, especially for STP in residential apartments, homes, and businesses. Here are the top uses:
- Toilet Flushing
Can STP treated water be used for toilet flushing? Absolutely. Flushing accounts for 30-40% of household water use (150-200 litres daily for a family of four). Using STP treated water here slashes freshwater demand.- Benefits: Saves ₹10,000-₹30,000 yearly on water bills for a 50-flat complex.
- Setup: Pipes route treated water to toilet tanks, keeping it separate from drinking lines.
- Gardening and Irrigation
Is STP water safe for gardening and irrigation? Yes, when treated to necessary standards, it’s ideal for lawns, plants, or community gardens.- Benefits: Nutrient traces (nitrogen, phosphorus) act as mild fertilizers, boosting plant growth.
- Safety: UV-treated water is pathogen-free, safe for roses or vegetable patches.
- Floor Cleaning and Washing
STP treated water is perfect for mopping floors, washing corridors, or cleaning vehicles in apartments or offices.- Benefits: Reduces freshwater use by 10-20% in commercial setups, saving ₹5,000-₹20,000 yearly for a small office.
- Setup: Dedicated taps deliver treated water to cleaning areas.
- Cooling Systems
Businesses with cooling towers can use STP treated water for heat exchange.- Benefits: Saves 10,000-50,000 litres daily for a mid-sized setup, cutting costs by ₹1-2 lakh annually.
- Safety: Filters ensure water is free of scaling minerals.
- Construction Activities
Apartment complexes under construction can use STP treated water for mixing concrete or dust control.- Benefits: Saves 5,000-10,000 litres per site daily, reducing costs by ₹20,000-₹50,000 monthly.
- Setup: Temporary tanks store treated water for site use.
- Firefighting Reserves
STP water reuse can fill firefighting tanks in large buildings, ensuring emergency readiness without tapping freshwater.- Benefits: Maintains 50,000-litre reserves at no extra cost.
- Safety: Disinfected water meets safety norms.
- Groundwater Recharge
In water-scarce areas, STP treated water can seep into aquifers via recharge pits, boosting local water tables.- Benefits: Recharges 10,000-20,000 litres daily for a large complex, aiding sustainability.
These safe uses of recycled wastewater from STP make it a versatile ally for homes and businesses.
Benefits of STP Water Reuse for Setups
STP water reuse delivers tangible gains for apartments, homes, and offices:
- Cost Savings: How much water can be saved using STP treated water? Up to 50% of daily use (20,000 litres for a 50-flat complex), saving ₹50,000-₹2 lakh yearly.
- Water Security: Reusing 30-50% of sewage reduces reliance on municipal or tanker water, crucial in cities like Delhi.
- Eco Impact: Cuts freshwater demand, protecting rivers and reducing plastic bottle use.
How to Reuse Treated Sewage Water in Buildings
Implementing how to reuse treated sewage water in buildings requires planning:
- Choose the Right STP: A compact STP system (5-10 sq. meters) with AABR technology costs ₹5-15 lakh for 50-100 KLD, ideal for apartments.
- Install Dual Plumbing: Separate pipes for treated (flushing, gardening) and potable water, costing ₹1-2 lakh for a mid-sized complex.
- Test Water Quality: Regular checks (₹500-₹2,000 per test) ensure STP treated water meets non-potable standards.
- Train Staff: Teach maintenance teams to monitor STP output and plumbing, costing ₹10,000-₹20,000 for training.
Start small. Use treated water for gardening, then expand to flushing.
Related: How do Sewage Treatment Plants work?
A Quick Note on STP vs ETP
The difference between STP and ETP in wastewater management matters for businesses:
- STP: Treats domestic sewage (household/office waste) with biological processes.
- ETP: Handles industrial effluent (chemicals, metals) with chemical/physical methods.
Relevance: Apartments and offices need STPs for STP water reuse; factories need ETPs or combined systems.
Conclusion
Treated wastewater reuse from sewage treatment plants is a smart, sustainable choice for homes, apartments, and businesses. STP in residential apartments with compact STP systems makes recycling wastewater accessible, cutting bills by ₹50,000-₹2 lakh yearly.
By embracing safe uses of recycled wastewater from STP, you protect your wallet and the planet. Start exploring STP water reuse today and your home or office can lead the way to a water-wise future.
FAQs
Q1: Can STP treated water be used for toilet flushing?
Yes, STP treated water is safe for flushing after tertiary treatment (UV/chlorine), saving 30-40% of freshwater use.
Q2: How can treated sewage water be reused in buildings?
Use STP treated water for flushing, gardening, cleaning, or cooling via dual plumbing, ensuring non-potable standards.
Q3: Is STP water safe for gardening and irrigation?
Absolutely, UV-treated STP water for gardening is pathogen-free and nutrient-rich, safe for plants and lawns.
Q4: What are safe uses of recycled wastewater from STP?
Flushing, gardening, cleaning, cooling, construction, firefighting reserves, and groundwater recharge are all safe uses of treated water from STP.
Q5: How much water can be saved using STP treated water?
Up to 50% of daily use, saving ₹50,000-₹2 lakh yearly on water bills depending on the establishment.
