Kondungaiyur b Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Kondungaiyur b is a major wastewater treatment plant located in the Tondiarpet zone of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It serves a population of approximately 534,496, classifying it as a large agglomeration under Indian urban wastewater management standards. The plant is operated by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and is part of the city's extensive sewerage network. As a large-scale facility, Kondungaiyur b is expected to provide at least secondary treatment in compliance with India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms for discharge into inland surface waters. The plant's designed capacity is 1. Given the population served, the plant likely incorporates biological treatment stages to meet effluent quality standards. The treated effluent from Kondungaiyur b ultimately reaches the Bay of Bengal through the Cooum River or other local drainage channels. The coastal waters near Chennai support diverse marine life and are important for local fisheries. Effective treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient loading and protect the sensitive coastal ecosystem from eutrophication and pathogen contamination.

Kondungaiyur b discharges treated wastewater into the Chennai coastal watershed, which drains into the Bay of Bengal via the Cooum River and other urban waterways. The Bay of Bengal is a major marine ecosystem supporting diverse fish species, coral reefs, and mangrove habitats. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) means that inadequate treatment could contribute to nutrient pollution and algal blooms, affecting both marine biodiversity and local fishing communities. The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with heavy rainfall during the northeast monsoon, which can impact effluent dilution and water quality.