In India, only a third of all urban households are connected to a piped sewer system. About 80 percent of sewage from Indian cities goes untreated. There have been official efforts to bring an end to the profession for decades.

Is sewage treated in India?

Sewage treatment plants (STPs) in India are able to treat a little more than a third of the sewage generated per day, according to the latest report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

What happens to sewage water in India?

According to estimates, about 80% of the sewage in India flows into rivers, lakes and ponds. This sewage is untreated and pollutes water bodies. It also often seeps underground, which is a cause of concern, since drinking water is primarily sourced from groundwater.