Rapid urbanization and increasing water stress have intensified the need for sustainable and decentralized wastewater management solutions that can be translated into real-world applications. This study presents a translational performance evaluation of a decentralized Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) operating at JK Township, Rayagada, with emphasis on its potential contribution to sustainable water reuse, environmental protection, and circular bio economy frameworks. The performance of the STP was systematically assessed by analysing key physico-chemical and biological parameters, in-cluding pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and nutrient removal efficiencies, in accordance with regulatory discharge standards. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in organic and suspended pollutant loads, indicating stable operational efficiency and compliance with prescribed norms for treated effluent discharge. Beyond conventional performance analysis, this study highlights the translational relevance of the STP by identifying pathways for reuse of treated wastewater in non-potable applications such as land-scaping, industrial utility, and groundwater recharge. The findings also underscore the scope for process optimization, resource recovery, and integration of bio-based innovations, including sludge valorization and energy-efficient treatment strategies. The outcomes of this research provide actionable insights for scaling decentralized wastewater treatment technologies, fostering innovation-driven environmental solutions, and enabling bio entrepreneurial opportunities in the water and sanitation sector. The study thus bridges the gap between laboratory-scale assessments and field-level imple-mentation, supporting policy development and sustainable infrastructure planning in emerging urban and semi-urban regions.

Decentralized Sewage Treatment, Translational Research, Wastewater Performance Evaluation, Sustainable Water Reuse, Circular Bioeconomy, Environmental Sustainability