Overview of the Wastewater Treatment Business

Municipal and industrial wastes are primarily responsible for a wide variety of water contaminants(that can be both organic and inorganic). Inorganic compounds, in general, are generated from the leaching and weathering of soils, rocks and sediments. In addition, traces or small amounts of lead, copper, arsenic, iron and manganese may also be present. This makes the water very harmful to human consumption and the environment. Therefore, the institution of the Wastewater Treatment business must be promoted.

Market overview of Wastewater Treatment Business

According to the NITI Aayog, the market analysis of India’s Wastewater treatment business was worth 2.4 billion US Dollars in 2019. Further, it is projected to reach 4.3 billion US Dollars by 2025 due to increasing demand and awareness among people regarding sewage and its treatment business.

Fixed parameters set by the Government

Before proceeding with the wastewater treatment business, it is good to know some basic things. The Government, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), has set fixed parameters for wastewater within their limits: -

1. For salt pans, shell fishing, mariculture and ecologically sensitive zone

2. For industrial cooling, recreation (non-contact) and aesthetic

The range of parameters in wastewater as per the limits set by the CPCB guidelines are:

• The size of suspended solids should pass 850 microns IS Sieve.
• pH value must be between 5.5 to 9.0.
• The temperature must not exceed 5 degrees Celsius above the receiving water temperature.
• Total Nitrogen must not exceed 100mg/l.
• The arsenic limit should be a maximum of 0.2 mg/l.
• Ammoniacal Nitrogen should not be more than 50 mg/l.

Authorisation/licenses needed for setting up Wastewater Treatment Business

For starting any Wastewater Treatment Business, the owner has to obtain a few authorisations and licenses as specified under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Air Act, and the implementation guidelines of management rules prescribed by the Central or State Pollution Control Board (C/SPCB). These authorisations are granted by the CPCB/SPCB or other government authorities under the relevant Ministry, such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

The authorisations needed are: -

Company license

Documents required for establishing Wastewater Treatment Business

• PAN card
• Address proof, such as
  • Passport
  • Election or Voter Identity card
  • Ration card
  • Driving license
  • Electricity bill
  • Telephone bill
  • Aadhaar card
• Residential proof, such as
  • Bank statement
  • Electricity bill
  • Telephone bill
  • Mobile bill
• GST registration certificate
• MOA (Memorandum of Association)
• AOA (Article of Association)

Udyog Aadhaar MSME Registration for Wastewater Treatment Business

For MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) registration through the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise, the owner of the wastewater treatment plant has to apply online. The owner has to upload documents and applications via the centralised online portal. 

Documents needed for MSME registration for wastewater treatment business

• Applicant’sofficial name
• Name and type of enterprise
• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• The NIC code
• Account details
• The social category of the applicant
• The business operations of the enterprise
• Date of Incorporation of a business
• Details related to employment

Consent Certificates for Wastewater Treatment Business

1. Consent to Establish
2. Consent to Operate

The procedure of the consent certificates (Consent to Establish and Consent to operate) is documented under the Air and Water Acts. The procedure for obtaining these certificates for the wastewater treatment business has similar steps. It involves applying through the online portal of the PCB of either the state or the concerned UT with suggested documents. An assessment of the said application follows this. After that, a site inspection is conducted by the authorised employees, who make a report after that. The certificate is ultimately granted if all the compliances are fulfilled.

Documents required for consent certificate for wastewater treatment business

• SSI certificate
• Specifics on air pollution controls
• Industry Department Certificate
• Raw material list with daily MTD/monthly quantity
• The layout/site plan
• Details on channelisation
• Water usage breakdown
• Total constructed area
• Total open land
• Permission from the state's groundwater authority
• Authorisation letter
• The project report
• Factory/Trade license
• DG specifications
• Product/by-product list with daily MTD/monthly quantity
• Effluent/Sewage Treatment Plant flow diagram
• Boiler type, fuel used and quantity
• PAN card
• Municipality or Industry license
• The Aadhaar card
• Registration proof of unit
• Water bill

GST Certificate for Wastewater Treatment Business

Document required for GST Certificate for wastewater treatment business

• Applicant’s Aadhaar card
• Bank details
• PAN card
• Incorporation Certificate from the MCA
• Address proof
• MOA
• AOA

Additional licenses

Apart from the certificates and authorisation for setting up a wastewater treatment plant mentioned above, additional licenses are also required. The list includes:-

• ISO certificate
• A raw water test report
• Chemists’ and microbiologist’s certificates
• Registration of trademark
• ISO 9001:2008 certificate
• If appropriate, a Gram Panchayat No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required, depending on the location of the plant
• Workers' medical certifications
• Documents about land ownership/lease to establish the plant to avoid future problems and land conflicts
• The plant's electrical load should be approved
• Plan for sanctioned layout

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