Bengaluru (BWSSB) to build 9 STPs with capacity to produce biogas

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has floated tenders for nine new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) across Bengaluru, with a combined capacity of 535 million litres per day (MLD). BWSSB Chairman V. Ramprasath Manohar said that six of the nine STPs will incorporate biogas-based power generation systems, producing up to 4 MW of electricity.

BWSSB says that the power generated will meet at least half of each plant’s energy demand, significantly reducing dependence on the Bescom grid and cutting operational costs. These facilities will also feature odour control systems, and the treated sludge will be converted into manure for sale, creating additional revenue streams.

The total estimated cost for the nine STPs is Rs 2,071 crore. Funding will be shared between the State government and BWSSB, each contributing 25%, while the remaining 50% will be raised through loans. The Board will soon issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) to financial institutions to secure the necessary financing.

Once commissioned, the city’s total treatment capacity will rise to 1,883.5 MLD, though it will still fall short of the 2,740 MLD required to handle current and future sewage generation. Bengaluru presently produces around 2,120 MLD of sewage, with another 620 MLD expected after the completion of the Cauvery Stage V project.

The upcoming plants will deploy advanced anaerobic treatment systems, including A2O technology with disc filters for tertiary treatment. These technologies align with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and National Green Tribunal (NGT) standards, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional sand or multimedia filters. The treated sludge will be safe for agricultural use, BWSSB officials confirmed.