Treatment of sewage is the procedure of eliminating contaminants from domestic or industrial wastewater to yield treated effluent that can be safely released into the environment or recycled for different purposes. Sewage contains organic matter, nutrients, suspended solids, microorganisms, and chemical pollutants and hence physical, chemical, and biological processes must be utilized for purification. Treated sewage has some key characteristics of low biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), low suspended solids, and pathogen content minimized. Sewage treatment plants (STPs) consist of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment units, where pollutant removal efficiency is increased in each stage. Uses include safe disposal of effluent, reuse in agriculture and landscaping, and recycling for industrial cooling purposes or construction work. The key benefits of sewage treatment include safeguarding public health, averting waterborne diseases, water resource conservation, and meeting environmental standards. From an economic perspective, STPs facilitate sustainable urbanization through enabling circular water management and minimizing dependence on freshwater. In the future, sewage treatment will be a key driver in smart city planning, climate-resilient urban planning, and industrial water reuse, thus paving the way for a sustainable future. The India wastewater market size reached USD 9.64 Billion in 2024. According to IMARC Group, the market is projected to reach USD 18.63 Billion by 2033, at a projected CAGR of 7.6% during 2025-2033. The sewage treatment industry is fueled by several long-standing demand drivers. First, urbanization and population expansion are driving sewage volumes higher at an accelerating rate, filling the need for constant new treatment plants. Second, strict environmental laws across the globe require municipalities and industries to treat wastewater prior to discharge. Third, expanding water scarcity is pushing implementation of wastewater reuse for agricultural, landscaping, and industrial uses. Fourthly, increased awareness regarding public health and sanitation through government initiatives such as India's Swachh Bharat Mission or UN Sustainable Development Goals is encouraging mass-scale deployment of STPs. Future trends in the next five years involve integration of decentralized treatment plants to serve local communities, implementation of membrane bioreactors (MBR) and moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR), and digital monitoring platforms for real-time water quality management. Competitive strengths are water resource recovery and energy-efficient technologies, but competitive weaknesses are high capital and operating expenses, management of sludge, and requirement for skilled manpower. From the sustainability viewpoint, STPs play an important role in limiting environmental contamination and allowing water recycling. Industry reaction comprises public-private partnerships, use of renewable-powered plants, and advancements in low-energy treatment technologies to offset cost minimization against environmental regulation.
One of our clients reached out to us to conduct a feasibility study for setting up a medium-scale sewage treatment plant. We developed a comprehensive financial model for the setup and operation of a proposed sewage treatment plant in India. This plant is designed to treat 60 million litre of sewage per day.
Treatment Process: The wastewater treatment process starts with the raw sewage inlet chamber, to which wastewater is pumped into the plant, then through a screen and grit chamber to eliminate coarse solids and trash. If available, oils and greases are removed in a special oil and grease trap. The flow is then directed to the equalization tank, which smooths out fluctuation in sewage volume prior to going to the aeration tank. In this phase, microbes proliferate on bio-media and air is provided through diffusers for sustaining dissolved oxygen, oxidizing the organic matter and minimizing BOD and COD. The blended solution then passes to a settling tank, in which sludge precipitates at the tank's base and clarified water overflows into a collection tank, with the sludge subsequently dried in drying beds. The treated water flows into a filter feed tank and is treated at tertiary level through pressure sand filters (PSF) to reduce turbidity and activated carbon filters (ACF) to remove odor, color, and organic content. Disinfection is done in a chlorine contact tank, where sodium hypochlorite is used to destroy pathogens. Lastly, the treated water is gathered in a storage tank for safe disposal or reuse for environmental protection and resource recovery.
Mass Balance and Raw Material Required: The primary raw materials used in the sewage treatment plant are sewage water, sodium hypochlorite, DAP, urea and bacteria bioculture. For a plant treating 1 million litre of sewage, 1.05 million litre of sewage water, and 9.2 kg of sodium hypochlorite, 5.0 kg of DAP, 3.2 kg of urea and 1.5 kg of bacteria bioculture are required.
Our financial model for the sewage treatment plant was meticulously developed to meet the client’s objectives, providing an in-depth analysis of production costs, including raw materials, Treatment, capital expenditure, and operational expenses. By addressing the specific requirements of treating 60 million liters of sewage per day, we successfully identified key cost drivers and projected profitability, considering market trends, inflation, and potential fluctuations in raw material prices. This comprehensive financial model equipped the client with valuable insights into strategic decision-making, demonstrating our commitment to delivering high-quality, client-focused solutions that ensure the long-term success of large-scale Treatment ventures.
IMARC is a global market research company that offers a wide range of services, including market entry and expansion, market entry and opportunity assessment, competitive intelligence and benchmarking, procurement research, pricing and cost research, regulatory approvals and licensing, factory setup, factory auditing, company incorporation, incubation services, recruitment services, marketing and sales.
Under our factory setup services, we assist our clients in exploring the feasibility of their plants by providing comprehensive financial modeling. Additionally, we offer end-to-end consultation for setting up a plant in India or abroad. Our financial modeling includes an analysis of capital expenditure (CapEx) required to establish the Treatment facility, covering costs such as land acquisition, building infrastructure, purchasing high-tech production equipment, and installation. Furthermore, the layout and design of the factory significantly influence operational efficiency, energy consumption, and labor productivity, all of which impact long-term operational expenditure (OpEx). So, every parameter is covered in the analysis.
At IMARC, we leverage our comprehensive market research expertise to support companies in every aspect of their business journey, from market entry and expansion to operational efficiency and innovation. By integrating our factory setup services with our deep knowledge of industry dynamics, we empower our clients to not only establish Treatment facilities but also strategically position themselves in highly competitive markets. Our financial modeling and end-to-end consultation services ensure that clients can explore the feasibility of their plant setups while also gaining insights into competitors' strategies, technological advancements, and regulatory landscapes. This holistic approach enables our clients to make informed decisions, optimize their operations, and align with sustainable practices, ultimately driving long-term success and growth.
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