Katai Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bhiwandi, Maharashtra

Katai wastewater treatment plant is located in Bhiwandi, a city in the Thane district of Maharashtra, India. The plant is currently under construction and is designed to serve a population of 86,856, placing it in the medium agglomeration category for Indian urban centers. As a new facility under construction, Katai will need to comply with India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards for wastewater treatment. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential for tertiary treatment if the receiving water body is sensitive. The designed capacity of 1.00 MLD indicates a moderate-scale facility. The plant's treated effluent will likely discharge into local water bodies that drain into the Ulhas River or its tributaries, eventually reaching the Arabian Sea. This region of Maharashtra experiences heavy monsoon rainfall, making proper wastewater management critical to prevent contamination of surface water and groundwater. The plant's operation will help reduce pollution loads in the densely populated Bhiwandi area.

The plant is situated in the Ulhas River basin, which flows westward into the Arabian Sea near Mumbai. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal ecosystems that support diverse aquatic life and are important for local fisheries. Proper treatment is essential to protect these waters from nutrient pollution and pathogens, especially given the high population density and industrial activity in the Thane region.