Karnataka Gives Large Apartment Societies 15 Days to Make STPs Operational
Bengaluru, Karnataka | September 1, 2026: Large apartment communities across Karnataka have been given 15 days to make their sewage treatment plants (STPs) fully operational and comply with pollution-control requirements. Housing societies that fail to meet the deadline could face criminal action, as the state steps up enforcement against untreated sewage entering lakes, rivers and other water bodies.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has also directed officials to inspect apartment complexes and verify their STP operations.
Apartments With More Than 80 Units Under Focus
Apartment communities with more than 80 units are required to have an STP on their premises and treat wastewater before discharge.
According to the state government, more than 500 apartments have reportedly violated pollution-control requirements, with several existing STPs remaining non-functional for years.
Officials have now been asked to survey larger apartment buildings and check their STP installation and operating records.
Why This Matters for Apartment Residents
An STP is an important part of a large residential society's infrastructure because it treats wastewater generated by residents before it is discharged or reused.
A non-functional STP can create environmental problems and may also lead to regulatory action against the housing society.
For homebuyers and existing residents, the development highlights the importance of checking whether a residential project has a properly maintained and operational STP, particularly when considering apartments in larger communities.
Bengaluru Still Has a Major Sewage Treatment Gap
The government highlighted the scale of Bengaluru's sewage challenge during its review of KSPCB's functioning.
The city receives around 2,000 million litres of water per day, while approximately 1,800 MLD of sewage is generated. Around 1,200 MLD is currently treated, leaving nearly 600 MLD untreated and potentially entering water bodies.
Authorities have also identified several apartment STPs that have remained dysfunctional.
Industrial Areas Get More Time
The government has provided industrial clusters with a longer compliance window of three to six months.
Of the 187 industrial layouts developed by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), only 11 reportedly have STPs.
KSPCB has been directed to issue a notice to KIADB and ensure that existing STPs are restored or new treatment facilities are established within the specified period.
Environmental Compliance Extends Beyond Housing
KSPCB has also raised environmental concerns over the shooting of a popular Kannada reality show at a studio in Bidadi.
According to the state government, an earlier inspection found issues including the absence of a functional STP, sewage discharge into open drains and improper waste disposal. The studio has also been asked to obtain the required environmental consent before continuing operations.
What Happens Next
KSPCB officials are expected to inspect large apartment communities and identify societies where STPs are either missing, non-operational or not being used according to pollution-control requirements.
With only 15 days given to large apartment communities, residents and housing associations may now need to prioritise repairs, operational checks and regulatory compliance.
For Karnataka's rapidly expanding apartment market, the action also signals that wastewater management is becoming an increasingly important part of residential project compliance and long-term liveability.