Hoteliers in India face various challenges when it comes to treating wastewater. Keeping track of all the norms and regulations, ensuring that they are being implemented. One such implementation is having an ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) installed for treatment of wastewater generated from the kitchen and laundry. According to the CPCB, it is mandatory to have both an ETP and an STP in hotels.
An ETP has the role of removing any toxic and non-toxic materials or chemicals from wastewater before it can be discharged. An STP then treats the water further and makes it suitable to reuse for non-portable needs.
A common mistake in the hotel industry is loading the STP directly with kitchen, laundry and toilet wastewater. This is often a reason why it fails to operate in hotels and resorts. STPs handle lower levels of COD and BOD as compared to ETPs, and wastewater from kitchen, laundry and toilets are heavy in organic compounds and chemicals, overloading the STP. It has been suggested by the CPCB to bifurcate the wastewater as well. Especially in hotels with high wastewater production.
Hoteliers are advised to have separate collection tanks and pipelines for laundry & kitchen wastewater, and treat them first with an ETP. STP are designed only to treat black and gray wastewater. Segregation would help in efficient performance of the STP thereby making them meet the treated water standards as per the PCB norms.
