STP Kotkhai Zone I - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kotkhai, Himachal Pradesh

STP Kotkhai Zone I is a secondary wastewater treatment plant located in Khorwa, Kotkhai, in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The plant serves a small population of approximately 2,038 people and has a designed capacity of 305 cubic meters per day, with a similar discharge volume. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage for municipal wastewater. In India, wastewater treatment for small towns is governed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms, which require secondary treatment before discharge into inland surface waters. The plant's capacity suggests it is sized for the local community's needs. The treated effluent from STP Kotkhai Zone I likely discharges into a local stream or river within the Ganges basin, as the region drains into the Yamuna River, a major tributary of the Ganges. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for irrigation and domestic use in the Himalayan foothills.

The plant is located in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh, within the Ganges river basin. Treated wastewater likely flows into a tributary of the Yamuna River, which eventually joins the Ganges. The region's aquatic ecosystems support diverse flora and fauna, and the river water is used for downstream agriculture and drinking water supply. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect these sensitive freshwater habitats.