Expertise: Wastewater Treatment and STP Assessment Specialist
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: Sewage treatment plant assessment, wastewater treatment, process engineering, team leader
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
- Background
Rajasthan is one of India’s largest states and faces significant water-security, urbanization, and
environmental-management challenges. Expansion of sewerage and wastewater treatment has therefore been a
core element of the state’s urban development agenda. Over more than two decades, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB), the Government of India, and the Government of Rajasthan have worked together through
successive urban development programs to improve water supply, sewerage, sanitation, urban
infrastructure, institutional systems, and service delivery.
ADB-supported urban operations in Rajasthan have progressively moved from infrastructure improvement in
major cities to medium and secondary towns, while increasingly emphasizing sector reforms, inclusive
sanitation, performance-based operation and maintenance (O&M), resource efficiency, digital monitoring,
and sustainability. This long engagement provides a substantial portfolio of sewage treatment plants
(STPs), associated sewerage systems, operating arrangements, and implementation experience that can
inform the design of the proposed next generation of urban investments in the state.
1.1 ADB-financed urban development phases in Rajasthan
Phase
ADB operation
Period
Coverage
Main focus
Phase I
Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP), Loan 1647
1998-2009
Six major cities
Integrated urban infrastructure including water supply, sewerage, transport, slum improvement, heritage,
firefighting and other municipal facilities. The operation established the institutional and
implementation platform for subsequent phases.
Phase II
Rajasthan Urban Sector Development Investment Program (RUSDIP), MFF; Loans 2386, 2506 and 2725
2007-2017
15 medium-sized urban local bodies
Expanded water supply, sewerage, drainage, roads and institutional strengthening to medium-sized
district headquarters. The phased MFF approach supported progressive expansion while building
implementation capacity.
Phase III
Rajasthan Urban Sector Development Program (RUSDP), Loans 3182 and 3183; Grant 0413; TA 8749
2014-2023 completion reporting
Investments in selected towns, with statewide policy and institutional reforms
A sector development program combining a policy-based loan with project investments. It supported water
distribution in five project cities and sewerage systems in six project cities, together with sector
reforms, governance improvements, capacity building and fecal sludge management support.
Phase IV
Rajasthan Secondary Towns Development Sector Project (RSTDSP), Loan 3972 and Additional Financing Loan
4325
2020-2029 scheduled implementation period
Secondary towns across Rajasthan
Ongoing investments in water supply, sanitation, drainage and heritage-related improvements. Current
project records indicate a combined ADB financing of $500 million and coverage of 62 towns, including
sanitation interventions in 34 towns.
Phase I covered six of Rajasthan’s largest cities and had a total reported investment of about $362
million, including $250 million of ADB financing. Phase II had a reported investment of about $390
million, including $273 million of ADB financing, and extended support to 15 medium-sized urban district
headquarters. Phase III had a reported investment of about $556.71 million, including about $360.63
million from ADB and grant support, and combined infrastructure investments with nine sector policy
reforms. Phase IV has a reported investment of about $728.3 million, including $500 million of ADB
financing, and is extending urban services to secondary towns.
1.2 Relevant achievements and lessons
Across the four phases, ADB-supported interventions have included water supply and sewerage
infrastructure, STPs and fecal sludge treatment facilities, drainage, urban transport, slum improvement,
heritage conservation, institutional strengthening, community engagement, safeguards systems, e-
procurement, financial management, geographical information systems, supervisory control and data
acquisition, nonrevenue-water reduction, and longer-term or performance-based O&M arrangements.
The completion and evaluation documents from earlier phases highlight several lessons relevant to this
assignment: infrastructure performance depends on realistic design and implementation schedules; house
service connections and hydraulic loading must be addressed together with treatment capacity; O&M
financing and institutional capacity are critical to sustainability; water-source and receiving-
environment considerations need to be integrated into project design; and performance indicators should
be focused, measurable, and linked to responsibilities. The assessment shall therefore examine actual
loading, effluent compliance, O&M systems, sewer connectivity, reuse, sludge management, with focus on
identifying key performance issues and opportunities for improvement.
The ongoing Phase IV project is expected to improve water supply services for about 930,000 people and
sanitation services for about 1.8 million people. As of the August-September 2026 mission record,
sanitation works included about 1,660 km of sewers, 15 STPs, 12 fecal sludge treatment plants, and more
than 86,000 sewer connections, with additional works under implementation. These investments increase
the importance of periodically reviewing STP performance and identifying opportunities for improving
operational sustainability and service delivery.
- Rationale and Purpose of the Assignment
Rajasthan has developed a large number of STPs under ADB-supported programs and state or national
schemes. While assets have been created across different periods, technologies, capacities, contractual
arrangements, and local conditions, a consolidated understanding of their current operational
performance and sustainability is needed. The Government of Rajasthan and ADB therefore propose a rapid
assessment of approximately 35 STPs, primarily developed under previous ADB financing, supplemented by a
limited and representative sample of state-funded STPs.
The assignment will generate evidence and practical recommendations for the proposed new urban program.
It will identify measures for improving the performance and sustainability of existing facilities,
support prioritization of corrective action and O&M investments and will help refine future approaches
to STP design, sewer connectivity, O&M contracting based on lessons from existing facilities. The
consultants will also assess, at a high level, the resilience of selected wastewater systems and
treatment facilities to climate-related risks and identify practical measures to improve operational
reliability, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
- Objective
The objective is to undertake a rapid, consistent, and evidence-based assessment of approximately 35
STPs in Rajasthan and recommend practical measures to improve their performance and to inform
preparation and implementation of the proposed new urban program.
The assignment will be undertaken with a team of 3 experts – an International Consultant (corresponding
to this ToR), and two National Consultants. The International Consultant will serve as Team Leader and
will be responsible for providing technical and strategic input and recommendations and ensuring
technical quality of the final outputs. The National Consultants shall coordinate with relevant
partners, undertake assessments of the selected STPs, collect and consolidate data, prepare plan level
assessments and support with preparing first drafts.
Within this team, the objective of the International Consultant is to lead the assignment and ensure the
coherence and quality of its technical outputs. This will include providing a framework for the
assessment, quality-check and analyze the data and assessments conducted, and findings prepared by the
National Consultants, evaluate STP performance, O&M arrangements, reuse and sludge management, and
provide recommendations for improvement and for the proposed new urban program, including finalization
of the reports. The National Consultants will be responsible for field investigations, data collection,
field verification, preliminary analysis, and preparation of draft assessment outputs in accordance with
the agreed methodology.
During the inception stage, the International Consultant and the two National Consultants shall jointly
confirm the final list of STPs to be assessed, their locations, fieldwork arrangements, and allocation
of responsibilities among the consultant team. The final division of site visits and assessment
responsibilities shall be agreed at inception based on geographical distribution, logistical
considerations, consultant inputs, and data availability. Such arrangements may be adjusted during
implementation in consultation with ADB to ensure efficient delivery of the assignment.
Scope of Work
Expected outcomes of the overall STP assessment team are the following:
- A verified overview of the functionality, utilization, treatment performance, O&M condition,
environmental compliance, and sustainability of the selected STPs. - Plant-specific priority actions categorized as immediate, medium-term, and longer-term measures.
- A simple benchmarking and grading STPs using measurable indicators.
- Recommendations for maximizing safe and financially viable reuse of treated wastewater and improving
sludge management and beneficial use, as well as enhancing climate-resilience. - Consolidated technical and O&M recommendations for the proposed new program.
Expected outcomes specific to this consultant’s assignment:
- An assessment framework, comprising methodology, templates, definitions and assessment rules, agreed
with ADB before fieldwork begins. - A calibrated team, through joint calibration visits to selected (up to 4) STPs at the start of
fieldwork and a quality assurance protocol applied throughout the assignment. - A quality-checked assessment database and validated plant-level scorecards for all approximately 35
STPs. - Analysis of functionality, utilization, treatment performance, O&M condition, compliance and
sustainability, identifying recurring issues and their causes. - An agreed approach and selection criteria for the targeted system-level review of sewerage factors
affecting plant performance, and cross-town findings on connectivity, pumping, flow balance and septage
receipt that feed into the recommendations for the new program. - An evaluation of reuse, sludge management and resource recovery practices, with good-practice examples
and options for improvement. - Validated plant-specific priority actions and consolidated recommendations for the proposed new urban
program. - Finalized inception, interim, draft and final reports, and leading validation meetings.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
Task 1. Inception, desk review and assessment methodology
- Review relevant ADB project documents, PCRs, validation reports, mission records, design documents,
completion records, O&M contracts, performance reports, environmental monitoring reports, prior
assessments, and applicable national and state requirements. - Confirm, with ADB and the Government of Rajasthan, the sample of approximately 35 STPs. The sample
shall primarily comprise plants financed under previous ADB operations and include a limited number of
representative state-funded plants. - Ensure reasonable representation of treatment technologies, capacities, ages, geographical areas,
loading conditions, receiving environments, reuse arrangements, O&M models, and performance conditions. - Prepare a standardized rapid-assessment framework, plant data sheet, site-inspection checklist, and
reporting format. Include definitions/thresholds for ratings, and the quality assurance protocol. - Identify critical data gaps and agree how these will be addressed.
- Brief the team prior to fieldwork. Prepare, in coordination with the national consultants, a fieldwork
plan and reporting outline.
Task 2. Rapid assessment of approximately 35 STPs
- International consultant may participate in selected calibration visits together with the two national
consultants to calibrate the assessment approach and ratings. - Review the data, photographs and records collected from all STPs on a regular basis, give feedback to
the national consultants, and resolve any questions.
For each selected STP, the national consultants shall undertake the primary assessment using agreed
methodology. The internation consultant shall review, validate and ensure quality of the assessment
results and provide technical guidance, as required:
- Basic plant profile: location, ownership, design capacity, technology, process configuration,
commissioning date, funding source, service area, design population, receiving body, and O&M arrangement. - Utilization and hydraulic loading: actual inflow, capacity utilization, sewer connectivity, pumping
constraints, and reasons for underloading or overloading. - Physical and operational condition: pumping; electrical and mechanical equipment; laboratory.
- Treatment performance: available influent and effluent data, compliance with applicable discharge and
reuse standards, process stability, reliability of sampling and testing, frequency of noncompliance,
causes, and corrective action systems. - Energy: energy consumption, solar power.
- O&M: staffing, operator safety, and annual O&M cost.
- Sludge: safe disposal.
- Treated wastewater reuse: existing use, and opportunities to increase safe reuse.
- Environmental and social management: odour, occupational health and safety.
- Digital systems: flow meters, SCADA.
- Institutional and financial sustainability: adequacy of budgets.
- Plant-specific recommendations, indicative priority.
Task 3. System-level review linked to STP performance
The assignment is primarily an STP assessment. Review of sewerage networks shall be targeted and limited
to factors materially affecting plant performance. The consultant shall define, with the national
consultants, the approach and the criteria for selecting towns for system-level review, review the
findings prepared by the national consultant, ensuring coherence. The consultant shall draw cross-
cutting findings across aspects such as sewer connectivity, pumping, flow balance, infiltration or
inflow, industrial discharge, septage receipt, trunk capacity, bypassing, and constraints that result in
underutilization, overloading, or unstable treatment.
The assessment shall be based primarily on available records, site observations, and discussions with
relevant government agencies and plant operators; wider network assessments and public consultations are
not envisaged under this assignment.
Task 4. Benchmarking and grading framework
- Develop a simple traffic-light rating system (Good / Moderate / Poor) for assessed STPs based on
functionality, utilization, O&M condition, compliance history, and sustainability considerations. - Validate the plant ratings proposed by the national consultants, ensure consistency and comparability
across plants, and finalize the plant scorecards.
Task 5. Reuse, Sludge and Resource Recovery
- Evaluate current sludge management and treated wastewater reuse practices, based on information
compiled by the national consultants, and identify major constraints, good-practice examples, and
technology options. - Recommend measures for safe and financially viable reuse and for improved sludge management and
beneficial use.
Task 6. Lessons and recommendations for the proposed new program
- Consolidate lessons from ADB-financed and sampled state-financed STPs.
- Identify recurring design, construction, commissioning, connectivity, O&M, issues that should be
addressed in the new program. - Recommend measures for improving STP planning, implementation, and O&M in future investment.
- Prepare an actionable roadmap categorizing recommendations as immediate, medium-term and longer-term,
requirements.
Task 7. Coordination and consolidated joint report
This assessment is being undertaken with a team of one international consultant and two national
consultants. Th international consultant shall serve as team leader and shall coordinate inputs from
other experts mobilized for the assignment. All experts shall apply the same approved methodology and
templates. The team leader shall review field evidence, resolve inconsistencies, ensure comparability
across plants, and prepare one consolidated joint report covering all assessed STPs including system-
level findings, building on the database and draft status report compiled by the national consultants.
The team leader shall remain responsible for the technical coherence, completeness, quality, and timely
submission of the consolidated outputs.
The international expert will also lead the detailed technical evaluation of reuse, sludge management
and resource recovery, the assessment of technology options, and the development of strategic
recommendations for future investments, with support from two national consultants who will collect and
compile the underlying information. Where relevant, the international consultant shall lead workshops or
consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Deliverables and Indicative Schedule
Deliverable
Indicative timing
Minimum content
- Inception Report
Within 2 weeks of commencement
Final sample; methodology; templates; grading approach; data request; expert deployment; field plan;
report outline. - Interim Field Assessment Note
Within 5 weeks of commencement
Emerging findings, data gaps, critical risks and urgent corrective actions. - Draft Consolidated Joint Report
Within 7 weeks of commencement
Executive summary; portfolio analysis; 35 plant scorecards; benchmarking and grading framework; reuse
and sludge recommendations; recommendations for new program; action roadmap. - Stakeholder Presentation and Validation Workshop
Within 10 weeks of commencement
Presentation of findings and facilitated validation with government, ADB, ULBs and operators. - Final Consolidated Joint Report
Within 12 weeks of commencement
Revised report addressing consolidated comments, with final annexes, plant scorecards and roadmap.
Duration, Inputs and Travel
The assignment is expected to require approximately 22 working days over a period of about 4 months
(November 2026 – February 2027), including home-office review, inception consultations, field visits,
analysis, reporting and validation. The final level of effort shall be determined after confirming the
geographical distribution of the 35 STPs and the composition of the supporting expert team.
The assignment shall include sufficient field time to inspect all selected STPs. Site visits may be
organized in clusters. The work plan shall avoid overly compressed inspections and shall allow time for
record review and interaction with plant operators at each facility.
Reporting and Coordination
The consultant will report to the designated ADB Project Officer and work closely with LSGD, RUDSICO,
the PMU, relevant ULBs, plant owners and operators, and other stakeholders. The Government of Rajasthan
will facilitate access to selected facilities and available records. The consultant shall coordinate
with relevant project management, construction supervision, capacity-building and community-engagement
consultants, where applicable. The international consultant will lead the assignment, coordinate all
inputs and produce the consolidated joint report.
The inception report shall define expert responsibilities, quality-control arrangements, and the process
for review and acceptance of field evidence. Short progress updates shall be provided at agreed
intervals. Any critical environmental, safety, structural, or operational risk identified during
fieldwork shall be promptly brought to the attention of ADB and the designated government counterpart
without waiting for the formal deliverable.
Quality Assurance and Acceptance
- Consistent application of the approved methodology across all plants.
- Traceability of findings to records, field observations, interviews, photographs or test results.
- Clear separation of evidence, analysis and recommendations.
- Practical and prioritized recommendations linked to responsible institutions and realistic
implementation horizons. - Resolution of inconsistencies among expert inputs by the team leader before submission.
- Submission of complete editable data and tools together with the final report.
Annex 1. Indicative STP Assessment Framework and Minimum Indicators
A concise standardized scorecard shall be prepared for each STP, normally 3–5 pages, covering: plant
profile; process and capacity; actual loading; effluent performance;; reuse; sludge; O&M; safety;
digital systems; key photographs; critical risks; and prioritized recommendations with responsibility
and timing. An indicative framework is provided below, and shall be discussed with ADB upon inception.
Assessment area
Minimum matters to review
A.Profile and utilization
Design/actual flow, utilization, sewer connectivity, flow reliability, technology and age
B.Functionality
Availability and condition of major units and equipment,
C.Treatment performance
Influent/effluent results, compliance status, laboratory and sampling arrangements.
D.Energy and resources
Energy consumption, efficiency, solar power, cost and related issues.
E.O&M
Staffing, maintenance practices, safety, and O&M arrangements
F.Reuse
Status of treated wastewater reuse opportunities for improvement.
G.Sludge
Current sludge management and disposal and beneficial use.
H.Environment and safety
Key issues
I.Digital monitoring
Availability of monitoring systems, SCADA, flow meters, online analyzers
J.Institutional sustainability
Ownership, O&M responsibility, contractual arrangements, adequacy of budget
The detailed plant scorecard and data collection template will be finalized during inception and will
normally include plant identification, ownership and operator details, process and performance data,
compliance records, O&M arrangements, reuse and sludge management, monitoring systems, overall rating,
and prioritized actions.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
- Master’s degree in civil, environmental, wastewater or sanitation engineering, or a closely related
discipline. A bachelor’s degree may be accepted with substantial additional relevant experience. - At least 10 years of professional experience in wastewater and sanitation, including substantial hands-
on experience in STP design, commissioning, performance evaluation, rehabilitation, troubleshooting or
O&M. - Demonstrated experience in assessment of multiple STPs using standardized performance indicators,
benchmarking, grading or audit methodologies. - Sound technical knowledge of biological treatment processes, effluent monitoring, energy efficiency,
sludge management, treated wastewater reuse. - Experience in institutional and contractual aspects of STP O&M, including performance-based contracts.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and integrating inputs from several experts
into a single high-quality report. - Experience in India or comparable developing-country contexts. Experience in India and with ADB or
other multilateral development bank operations will be an advantage. - Excellent analytical, report-writing, facilitation, stakeholder-consultation and presentation skills
in English.
Minimum General Experience: 10 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 10 Years
