Howrah Wastewater Treatment Plant, Haora, West Bengal, India

The Howrah wastewater treatment plant is located in Haora, within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area, West Bengal, India. It serves a population of approximately 300,654, classifying it as a large agglomeration under Indian urban wastewater management standards. The plant is currently non-operational, which impacts local wastewater treatment capacity in the region. As a large-scale facility, it would typically be expected to provide at least secondary treatment under India's environmental regulations, such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The designed capacity is 1.00 million liters per day, though the plant's non-operational status means this capacity is not being utilized. The plant's receiving water body is not explicitly identified, but given its location in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region, treated effluent would likely drain into the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges. This river flows into the Bay of Bengal, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical water source for millions. The non-operational status raises concerns about untreated wastewater entering the local environment.

The plant is situated in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, one of the world's most densely populated and ecologically sensitive regions. The nearest major river is the Hooghly, a distributary of the Ganges, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. This river supports a rich ecosystem, including the Sundarbans mangrove forest, a critical habitat for the Bengal tiger and numerous aquatic species. The non-operational status of the plant may contribute to pollution in this important watershed.