Lucknow, May 6 -- Owing to inadequate infrastructure, multiple operational sewage treatment plants (STPs) are able to treat barely a little more than half the wastewater generated each day in Lucknow, letting untreated sewage flow into the Gomti River, once the lifeline of the city. In its edition dated May 4, HT had published the report "Perennial river to 'slow-moving drain', Gomti water quality raises alarm in Lko". The report had highlighted that the Gomti was stinking due to untreated sewage, industrial and human waste that made its water unfit for even aquatic life in Lucknow. The Bharwara STP, the city's largest and boasting a treatment capacity of 345 MLD (million litres per day), is at the centre of the issue. Lucknow generates around 730 MLD of sewage daily, according to Jal Nigam chief engineer Shameem Akhtar. When accounting for other key STPs-Daulatganj I (56 MLD), Daulatganj II (14 MLD), Vrindavan Colony (37.5 MLD), Vrindavan Yojana (6.5 MLD), and a partially functional 120 MLD plant on Haider Canal-the city still treats only around 450 MLD. That leaves nearly 280 MLD of raw sewage flowing directly into drains and water bodies, eventually finding its way to the Gomti. Experts warn that the untreated sewage isn't just an environmental concern, it's a public health issue. High levels of faecal coliform bacteria have been recorded in the river, particularly near discharge points of STPs. "Ideally, STPs should eliminate harmful bacteria before releasing water into the river," said Professor Venkatesh Dutta of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU). "But the elevated presence of coliform bacteria suggests either improper treatment or bypassing of the treatment process altogether," he added. The inadequacy of Lucknow's sewage infrastructure is attributed to several factors: ageing treatment plants, increased urban waste beyond original design capacities, poor maintenance, and lack of technological upgrades. "Many STPs are outdated and can't handle current waste loads," Dutta added. On April 9, a joint survey by BBAU, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, and the Ecological Task Force observed methane bubbles rising from the riverbed near the confluence of the Sarkata Nala and Gomti-a clear sign of organic decomposition. Downstream from this point, the water carries a pungent stench of untreated waste. Similar scenes were recorded near Lonapur, about 2.5 km from Bharwara STP, where the treated outflow meets the river. Despite these alarming observations, authorities managing the STPs claim operations are within regulatory limits. Rajesh Mathpal, project incharge for SUEZ India-which operates the Bharwara and Daulatganj plants-stated, "Our plants are working to full capacity and follow the treatment protocol laid down by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The UP Pollution Control Board and NABL-accredited labs conduct weekly quality checks." He added that SUEZ has successfully tapped and diverted several major nullahs (open drains), integrating them into the city's sewer network to ensure sewage is routed to treatment plants. Among the 33 nullahs reportedly addressed are Gaughat, Wazirganj, Nishatganj, Sarkata, Papermill Colony, and Takrohi. These efforts, according to SUEZ, prevent raw sewage from directly entering the river-especially during dry weather. But critics argued that tapping nullahs without expanding treatment capacity is merely a stopgap. DN Yadav, retired general manager (Projects) at Jal Nigam and now an environmentalist, said, "The discharge from city drains has increased significantly. We need at least 400 MLD more treatment capacity to match current waste levels. As of now, only 50% of the sewage is being treated effectively." Beyond the visible sludge and stench lies a deeper concern: the long-term degradation of the river's ecosystem. Aquatic life is being decimated, groundwater contamination is on the rise, and residents living near discharge points face increased risks of disease. The Gomti's current state reflects years of underinvestment, delayed upgrades, and poor coordination among municipal, state, and private operators. While Lucknow's population and waste production have surged, its wastewater infrastructure has remained stagnant. "It's not just a failure of machinery-it's a failure of system," said a Jal Nigam official....