Hospital STP Plant: Design, Benefits, and Compliance
Hospitals are critical infrastructure where the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation must be maintained—not only inside the premises but also in the way wastewater is managed. Hospital sewage is often a complex mix of domestic wastewater, lab effluents, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, and possibly infectious agents. Improper disposal of such waste can have severe environmental and public health consequences. To counter these risks, installing a Sewage Treatment Plant in hospitals is not just a regulatory mandate but also an environmental necessity.
Why Hospitals Need STP Plant?
Hospitals generate a high volume of wastewater from multiple sources:
- Toilets and sinks
- Laboratories and diagnostic centres
- Operation theatres
- Kitchen and canteen areas
- Laundry and sterilization units
This wastewater may contain:
- Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi)
- Chemical pollutants (detergents, disinfectants, solvents)
- Pharmaceutical residues
- Radioactive waste
Key Objectives of Hospital STP Plant
1. Efficient removal of contaminants from sewage.
2. Neutralization of harmful pathogens and pharmaceuticals.
3. Compliance with Central and State Pollution Control Board (CPCB/SPCB) norms.
4. Water recovery and reuse for non-potable applications like gardening and flushing.
5. Minimizing environmental footprint of the healthcare facility.
Design Considerations for Hospital STP
Designing a hospital STP plant involves multiple factors:
- Sewage generation rate (litres per bed/day)
- Fluctuating load during different hours
- Presence of medical and chemical waste
- Stringent discharge norms
- Space constraints within hospital premises
- Need for odour and noise control
Typical sewage generation in a hospital is estimated at 400-500 litres per bed per day, which includes water from patients, staff, labs, and other utilities. Therefore, a 100-bed hospital might generate around 40,000–50,000 litres per day (40–50 KLD) of sewage, necessitating a robust STP system.
Common Treatment Technologies Used
Several technologies are employed to treat hospital sewage efficiently:
1. Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
- Compact and suitable for fluctuating loads
- Uses biofilm-coated plastic media for aerobic treatment
- Ideal for hospitals due to low maintenance and high efficiency
2. Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR)
- Works in batch mode, ideal for limited space
- Offers effective nutrient removal (N and P)
- Automated operations with good pathogen reduction
- Combines biological treatment and membrane filtration
- Produces high-quality, reusable water
- Best for tertiary treatment and hospitals with space constraints
4. Extended Aeration Process
- Conventional method using aeration tanks and clarifiers
- More space required compared to MBBR or MBR
Key Components of Hospital STP
A standard Hospital STP comprises the following units:
1. Screening Chamber – Removes large particles, plastics, and cloth.
2. Oil & Grease Trap – Eliminates oils and grease from kitchen effluent.
3. Equalization Tank – Collects and balances fluctuating flow rates.
4. Aeration Tank (MBBR/SBR/MBR) – Biologically treats the sewage using aerobic microbes.
5. Clarifier or Settling Tank – Separates biomass (sludge) from treated water.
6. Tertiary Treatment Unit – Includes sand filters, activated carbon filters, and UV or chlorination disinfection.
7. Sludge Handling Unit – Dewatering of sludge using filter press or drying beds.
8. Treated Water Storage – For storing treated water before reuse or discharge.
Compliance and Regulatory Aspects
As per CPCB and local SPCBs, it is mandatory for hospitals above a specific bed capacity (generally 100 or more) to install and operate STPs.
Norms for treated water discharge:
- BOD: <10 mg/L
- COD: <50 mg/L
- TSS: <10 mg/L
- pH: 6.5–8.5
- Faecal coliform: <100 MPN/100ml
Non-compliance can result in penalties, closure notices, or legal action. Moreover, the Biomedical Waste Management Rules and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act require hospitals to manage effluent scientifically.
Benefits of Installing STP in Hospitals
1. Health & Safety
- Prevents contamination of nearby water bodies
- Protects patients, staff, and residents from infection and pollution
2. Regulatory Compliance
- Avoids fines and legal trouble from environmental authorities
3. Water Conservation
- Treated water can be reused for flushing, gardening, HVAC cooling, and cleaning
4. Sustainability
- Reduces environmental footprint and promotes green hospital certification
5. Odour and Noise Control
- Modern plants include noise- and odour-suppression systems, ensuring better patient and staff experience
Operation and Maintenance
For continuous and compliant operation, proper O&M is essential:
- Regular monitoring of pH, BOD, COD, and microbial counts
- Sludge management and periodic desludging
- Maintenance of blowers, pumps, and sensors
- Record keeping and logbooks for audit purposes
- Skilled operators for managing automated systems
STP Capacity Based on Hospital Size
| Hospital Beds | Estimated STP Capacity |
| 50 Beds | 20–25 KLD |
| 100 Beds | 40–50 KLD |
| 250 Beds | 100–125 KLD |
| 500 Beds | 200–250 KLD |
| 1000 Beds | 400–500 KLD |
Why Choose Kelvin Water Technologies for Hospital STP?
Kelvin Water Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a trusted manufacturer and supplier of high-quality STP plants for hospitals across India. Our STPs are:
- Compact and modular
- CPCB-compliant
- Energy efficient
- Easy to operate and maintain
- Backed by strong AMC and support
Whether you’re setting up a new hospital or upgrading an old wastewater system, our experts design tailor-made STP solutions that ensure reliability, sustainability, and environmental compliance.
Conclusion
In the healthcare industry, where cleanliness and infection control are paramount, a Hospital STP Plant is no longer optional—it is a necessity. With increasing environmental awareness, regulatory pressure, and demand for sustainable operations, hospitals must invest in efficient sewage treatment systems. Proper planning, installation, and operation of an STP can significantly reduce risks, enhance reputation, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier future.