Pollution levels high in all water bodies in Mumbai

Pollution levels in almost all water bodies in Mumbai are on the higher side. The feacal coliform and BOD levels are way above the permissible limits.

Mahesh Pathak, member-secretary, MPCB, blamed inadequate sewage treatment and handling capacity of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for this sorry state.

He said on Monday, “Firstly, only 65% of the sewage generated in Mumbai (2,600 million litre daily) is collected by the BMC. Of this, only 450 MLD is adequately treated before being discharged into the sea. Around 1,100 MLD receives only primary treatment. The rest is not treated at all.” He added that to do away with water pollution, “the BMC will have to collect and adequately treat 100% sewage on a priority basis.”

A senior civic official said that the BMC had undertaken a centrally-funded project for improving its sewage disposal and collection process, but “it will take at least 10 years more to achieve 100% coverage.”

Noted water management specialist Dr Madhav Chitale said that the high levels of sea water pollution could impact the city in the long run. Apart from polluting surface water and raising stench, gaseous discharge  from the untreated sewage could lead to climate change, he warned.

Ironically, Monday was globally observed as the World Water Day, with the United Nations picking water quality as the theme for this year’s celebrations.