Home / Environment / Pollution Board Halts Coimbatore Sewage Plant Plan
Pollution Board Halts Coimbatore Sewage Plant Plan
3 Jan
Summary
- TNPCB rejected Coimbatore's STP application due to non-compliance with norms.
- Farmers fear contamination of groundwater and oppose the project.
- STP must be 250 meters away from water bodies per TNPCB 2008 norms.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has rejected the Coimbatore Corporation's proposal for a sewerage treatment plant (STP) near Chinnavedampatti tank, citing non-compliance with environmental regulations. Farmers, who have been vocally opposing the project, received this information recently. Previously, in May 2025, the Water Resources Department had conditionally approved the construction of a 9.95 MLD capacity STP, highlighting its potential for groundwater recharge and ecological balance.
Despite assurances that treated water would be pollutant-free, farmers remain apprehensive about groundwater contamination. Their opposition stems from the original purpose of the 200-acre tank, established in the 1980s to store freshwater. They argue that the proposed STP would compromise the tank's water quality and its historical function as a reservoir for Coimbatore North and flood mitigation for the Sanganoor canal.
The TNPCB has mandated strict adherence to its 2008 norms, which stipulate that STPs must be situated at least 250 meters away from lakes and ponds, preferably downstream. Public opinion assessment near the proposed site was also emphasized. The rejection underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance in environmental projects, especially when public and agricultural concerns are involved.
