STP Arki Wastewater Treatment Plant, Arki, Himachal Pradesh, India

STP Arki is a wastewater treatment facility located in Arki, a town in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,677 residents and has a designed capacity of 700 m³/day, with a reported discharge volume of 700 m³/day. It is classified as a secondary treatment plant, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. As a secondary treatment plant in India, STP Arki falls under the regulatory framework of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board. For small agglomerations like Arki, secondary treatment is the standard requirement to meet discharge standards for inland surface waters. The plant is currently non-operational, which may impact local water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Yamuna River basin, a major river system in northern India. The Yamuna flows through several states before joining the Ganges, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation and drinking. The proper treatment of wastewater is crucial to prevent pollution in this ecologically sensitive river system.

STP Arki discharges into local streams that are part of the Yamuna River basin. The Yamuna River flows through Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi before joining the Ganges. This river system supports a wide range of aquatic biodiversity and provides water for millions of people. The plant's non-operational status poses a risk of untreated sewage entering these waterways, potentially affecting downstream ecosystems and communities.