Project Overview
The Dindoli sewage treatment project in Surat is a landmark in sustainable urban water management, combining large-scale sewage treatment, waste-to-energy systems, and advanced tertiary treatment for industrial reuse.
Originally a 66 MLD conventional activated sludge (CAS) plant, the facility was upgraded to 167 MLD capacity using Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) and Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology, designed to meet the new discharge standards introduced in 2015.
The plant incorporates:
- Conversion of existing 66 MLD capacity into an anaerobic tank followed by IFAS for 45 MLD.
- Construction of a new 122 MLD SBR unit to bring total capacity to 167 MLD.
- An 800 kWe biogas-based power generation system integrated with sludge digestion.
- A 40 MLD net output tertiary treatment plant (TTP) based on UF and RO membranes, supplying high-quality industrial-grade water to Pandesara Industrial Estate.
While 40 MLD of tertiary treated water is supplied to industry, the remaining 106 MLD is safely discharged into a creek, ensuring both reuse and compliance.
Project Objectives
- Generate guaranteed municipal revenue by supplying industrial-grade water.
- Reduce environmental impact through wastewater reuse and waste-to-energy integration.
- Upgrade both capacity and effluent quality of the existing STP within a minimal footprint.
- Meet stringent Pollution Control Board discharge norms.
Use advanced technologies to support energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
Project Challenges
- Land constraint: limited available land at the Dindoli site for accommodating the expanded 167 MLD STP and 40 MLD TTP.
- Integration with existing 66 MLD STP infrastructure while maintaining continuous operations.
The Solution
- Efficient land-use planning and compact design layouts allowed all required units to fit within the limited site.
- Careful integration of existing infrastructure ensured smooth transition and continued operation during the upgrade.
Advanced automation and process optimisation ensured both quantity and quality upgradation without compromising performance.
The Results
- Expansion from 66 MLD to 167 MLD sewage treatment capacity.
- 40 MLD of industrial-grade water supplied to Pandesara industries.
- 800 kWe renewable energy generated from biogas digestion, reducing grid dependency.
- Compliance with CPCB and NGT standards, ensuring environmental protection.
National recognition through the Indian Smart Cities 2022 Award for innovation and sustainability in wastewater reuse.
Why It Matters
The Dindoli project illustrates how smart design, advanced technology, and integrated planning can overcome land and infrastructure constraints to deliver sustainable, future-ready sewage treatment. It stands as a model for India’s Smart Cities mission and for large-scale urban water reuse.
