In a significant step toward water conservation, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made it mandatory for developers to use tertiary treated recycled water for construction. This decision aims to reduce the burden on potable water resources, which are under strain due to declining rainfall and increasing demand.
Currently, seven Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) equipped with Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology are operational in the city, processing all wastewater. To maximize the utilization of treated water, the NMMC has set up Tertiary Treatment Plants (TTPs) in Koparkhairane and Airoli under the central government’s AMRUT Mission. “These plants use Ultra-Filtration and Ultraviolet-Based Technology to further purify secondary treated water,” said an official from NMMC said.
The tertiary treated water is already being supplied to industries in the TTC Industrial Area, managed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), for non-potable purposes. However, the ongoing redevelopment of dangerous buildings and private land development projects in Navi Mumbai continues to rely on potable water, exacerbating the risk of shortages.
To address this issue, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde has directed that all approved construction projects must now exclusively use tertiary treated water. The NMMC is ensuring that builders comply with this directive to support sustainable urban development and safeguard the city’s drinking water supply.
“With rapid urbanization and climate change affecting water availability, this initiative marks a crucial step in Navi Mumbai’s efforts to promote responsible water usage while maintaining steady infrastructure growth,” the officer added.
