BMC to distribute recycled sewage water in Mumbai

BMC has appointed consultants to develop a network for the same that could be operational in a few years' time

Mumbai is likely to get 1,700 MLD of treated water every day for non-potable use in few years time. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is developing a parallel network to distribute recycled sewage water, and has appointed consultants to draw the plan. The other good news for the civic body is that after revised discharged norms were notified by the MoEF for the construction of sewage treatment plants, there will be a dip in the project cost by almost 20%.

File picture of a sewage plant in the city, for representational purposes only

A sigh of relief
Under the Mumbai Sewerage Disposal Project (MSDP) – 2, the civic body has plans to construct and upgrade seven waste water treatment facilities or sewerage treatment plants (STP) at Colaba, Worli, Dharavi, Bandra, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and Malad to treat sewage to the level where the water can be reused.

While MSDP-2 estimated at Rs12,000 crore was supposed to be completed 10 years back, except for the plant at Colaba, the other treatment plants are still in planning stage. Civic officials blamed the rising costs of construction on delayed directives from the central government. However, the long pending decision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) on setting up new discharge norms for treated sewerage into the sea or any water body, has come as a sigh of relief for the civic body. The norms have been relaxed by the central government and the civic body will be spending 20% less on the earlier estimated Rs12,000 crore to construct seven STPs.

Plans for non-potable water
According to the civic body, Mumbai generates about 2,100 million litres sewage daily, of which 1,700 million litres can be used for non-potable purposes after secondary treatment. Officials said that there are several government institutions such as Indian Navy, Army and Air force, also industrial areas, commercial units and water hydrants used in fire fighting operations where non-potable water can be used. And if secondary treated water can be used here, we may not require more reservoirs to be constructed by cutting forests, said civic officials.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said, "We have appointed consultants to look at the possibility of reusing the water. And now that the discharge norms are in place, in next two months, tenders for construction of STPs will be floated."

1,700 mld
The quantity of treated non-potable water Mumbai could get everyday

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!