Waste water treatment to be mandatory

Mumbai: From now on, plants for the treatment as well as recycling of waste water will be a mandatory feature in all upcoming residential and commercial projects on plots measuring 4,000 sq.m. (one acre) in the twin-city.

To make use of the water that otherwise goes down the drain, the state government has adopted a policy to make civic bodies responsible for recycling and reusing waste water. As per government directions, the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation  had proposed changes in the Development Control rules to make waste water treatment and recycling mandatory in 2016.

Accordingly, a government resolution to this effect was issued on Saturday, October 6. The regulations will be applicable to all kinds of upcoming developments, redevelopments and part-developments on plots measuring 4,000 sq.m. or more, or establishments having a built-up area of 2,000 sq.m. or more, or if consumption of water is 20,000 litres per day or more. Failure or delay in installing sewage treatment units will attract punitive action.

 Moreover, it will be binding upon the user to get the treated water tested in government laboratories every six months.

Apart from encouraging the use of recycled water for watering trees in gardens, washing vehicles, flushing toilets and other options, the civic administration has also rolled up its sleeves to mandate the use of treated water for any type of construction.
 activities, so as to ensure that drinking water is not wasted for non-potable and commercial purposes.