The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has given approval to sell 3 million litres per day (MLD) of treated sewage water from its Colaba Sewage Treatment Plant to a women-led self-help group. This move is aimed at promoting sustainable water use while also generating additional revenue for the civic body. The treated water will be supplied at a concessional rate and the agreement will remain valid for a period of three years.
The water supplied from the plant undergoes advanced treatment and is suitable for non-drinking purposes such as construction work, gardening, road cleaning, and other infrastructure-related activities. The selected self-help group will use this water for projects like tunnel construction and maintenance of green spaces. They will also be responsible for transporting the water from the treatment plant to various sites where it is required.
The Colaba Sewage Treatment Plant has a total capacity of 37 MLD, of which a portion is processed to a level suitable for reuse. However, a large quantity of treated water has historically gone unused and is discharged into the sea. Through this initiative, the BMC aims to reduce such wastage, conserve potable water, and make better use of available resources.
Despite the benefits, the proposal faced some criticism from civic members who argued that the treated water should first be used for municipal purposes such as firefighting, cleaning roads, and maintaining public spaces. They expressed concern that selling the water externally might limit its availability for essential civic needs. However, the proposal was ultimately approved, with officials highlighting that it is a step toward efficient resource management and environmental sustainability.
Overall, this decision reflects a growing focus on recycling and reusing water in urban areas like Mumbai, where the demand for clean water continues to rise. By encouraging the use of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, the BMC hopes to reduce pressure on drinking water supplies while also making productive use of resources that would otherwise go to waste.
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