Mumbai: Mumbaikars can avail an additional water supply of 265 million litres daily (mld) from October. The extra supply will be possible due to construction of water recycling plants and tunnels that are almost near completion.
Presently, the city received a water supply of 3,750 million litres daily (mld) as against the actual demand of 4,200 mld. BMC officials said the water supply would be further augmented by 265 mld at the end of year.
Civic officials said that a recycling plant for reuse of backwash water of 60 mld capacity had been developed at the Bhandup treatment plant. Additionally, the recycling plant at Panjrapur had also been partially commissioned and a 40 mld recycling capacity had been developed. Completion of this plant would result in a total 60 mld backwash water recycling capacity. Thus, an additional 120 mld water would be available in addition to water from surface sources.
Commissioning of the 136 THD inlet tunnel at Modak Sagar had resulted in an increase in capacity of 40 mld water. The total allocated water supply to the city from Bhatsa source was 2015 mld. However, the current drawl was 1910 mld due to restriction in the conveyance system. Commissioning of the Gundavali – Bhandup tunnel had upgraded this facility and an additional 105 mld drawing capacity had been developed, said civic officials.
Civic chief Ajoy Mehta while presenting the budget for 201-18 said, “The facility for additional 265 mld water supply capacity has been developed. Depending upon seasonal variation in turbidity and the capacity to which treatment plants actually operate, there will be variation in additional quantity available for distribution. If the next monsoon is satisfactory, additional water can be supplied to citizens from October this year.”
Chief hydraulic engineer A.K. Tawadia said, “With the help of these recycling plants, we have been able to treat waste water and add it to the city’s water supply.”
