Maharashtra Announces Plan to Reuse Polluted Water
In a strategic move to address the mounting issue of water pollution, Maharashtra’s Environment Minister, Pankaja Munde, revealed on Monday that the state is set to roll out a comprehensive plan aimed at curbing untreated sewage discharge into water bodies. The initiative, spearheaded by the state’s environment department, also aims to promote the reuse of polluted water, a key step in addressing both pollution and water scarcity concerns.
The announcement came during a conference on ‘Municipal Wastewater Management Gaps, Sustainability & Way Forward,’ which was jointly organised by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and IIT Bombay. The event provided a platform to explore the latest technologies and solutions for managing municipal wastewater, and Munde expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts between state agencies, local bodies, and academic institutions like IIT Bombay in tackling this growing challenge. Currently, Maharashtra is grappling with an alarming 4,500 million litres per day (MLD) of untreated sewage entering its rivers and lakes, resulting in the pollution of vital water bodies.
According to Avinas Dhakne, MPCB member secretary, as of 2018, 53 river stretches in the state were categorised under Category I pollution levels. However, significant improvements have been made, with the majority of these stretches now being downgraded to Category IV and V levels by 2024. The state government’s ambitious target is to eliminate all untreated sewage discharge into water bodies by 2029, a goal that has gained traction through efforts such as the collaboration with IIT Bombay. This initiative, according to Dhakne, will help local bodies to adopt modern sewage treatment technologies, particularly for river streams, ensuring more efficient wastewater management.
Furthermore, a technical cell will be established to implement innovative pollution control and water management technologies in municipal and metropolitan areas across Maharashtra. The formation of this cell will be a critical step in ensuring the effective application of these technologies, facilitating both water recycling and pollution control. The comprehensive plan will not only address water quality issues but also bolster Maharashtra’s long-term sustainability goals. By integrating advanced technologies for wastewater treatment and prioritising water reuse, the state aims to ensure cleaner water bodies and contribute to preserving the environment for future generations.
