While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC) wants to explore the exorbitant option of desalination to tide over the city’s water crisis, international water expert Madhavrao Chitale has categorically pointed out that Mumbai shouldn’t rely on desalination as a technology at least for the next 20-30 years.
Chitale, who had chaired the fact-finding committee to analyse the July 26, 2005 deluge has stated this in a documentary on water titled— Mumbai Jal Suraksha, to be released next week.
In this documentary produced by Sanjay Geete and directed by Prachi Sarpotdar, Chitale says, ‘While exploring additional sources of water for Mumbai’s future water plan, a mention is made about a new technology called reverse osmosis and desalination. It is true that in some parts of the world, like the west coast of the US and West Asia, a number of cities have started developing and relying on desalination technology. But, if we look at the cost and analysis of energy requirement and extent of membrane replacement vis a vis the fact that big cities like Mumbai are well-placed as far as rain is concerned, they need not really look at desalination for the next 20-30 years.’
Chitale also said in the documentary that desalination is costly and highly energy-intensive, while other alternatives that are much cheaper and easier to handle are not put into practice.
‘I feel we should keep developing desalination technology as a research agenda rather than an operational agenda,’ he said.
As advice to citizens, Chitale has made an appeal saying, ‘In the context of long-term sustainability of a metropolitan city like Mumbai, try to develop your own resources like rain water harvesting. While doing so, develop the habit of utilising as little water as possible. If you can save water, you can save the future of Mumbai.’
The documentary plays out on a positive note rather than creating panic or displaying knee-jerk reactions to the current water crisis.
Citizens interested in watching the documentary, and who wish to participate in water conservation in their housing societies, can write to iamresilient@gmail.com.
