Mumbai News: BMC To Divert Sewage Lines, Set Up 8 MLD STP To Save Powai Lake From Hyacinth Menace

To address the issue of increased floating vegetation and water hyacinth in the city’s Powai Lake, the BMC has concluded that diverting the sewage lines is the only term solution to preserve the lake. The corporation has invited two separate tenders, one for sewage line diversion and another for a sewage treatment plant (STP) of 8 MLD capacity. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar has directed the concerned departments to issue the work order next week and complete the work within 18 months.

As an immediate measure, five machines and increased manpower will be deployed to remove and transport the water hyacinth. At present, two machines are being used, and about 25,000 metric tons of hyacinth have been removed over the last six months. However, the hyacinth growth rate is outpacing removal efforts. Post-monsoon, total six machines will be deployed.

Currently, 18 MLD of sewage flows into Powai Lake daily. The rise in urbanization around Powai Lake and the inflow of untreated sewage has led to an increase in water hyacinth and other unwanted vegetation. This growth covers the water surface, adversely affecting water quality and biodiversity. “Given the impacts, BMC has prioritized the removal and disposal of hyacinth to landfills as a key biodiversity conservation activity,” Bangar said, who chaired the meeting on Powai Lake conservation on Tuesday.

The move is welcomed by the environmental activists who recently launched a campaign to save the Powai Lake from the harmful water weed that has engulfed the scenic lake. The FPJ had reported on May 19 that the locals have started an online petition and activists have written to the chief minister and municipal commissioner demanding immediate actions to save the biodiversity spot.

“Of the total untreated sewage entering the lake, 8 MLD will be processed at the new STP proposed on the site of the now-defunct Powai pumping station and returned to the lake after treatment. Another 8 MLD will be diverted via the existing sewer line on Adi Shankaracharya Road to the Bhandup STP. The remaining 2 MLD will be diverted to the Mithi River’s 9 MLD capacity STP via the pumping station. This redirection will help stop the inflow of untreated sewage into the lake,” the BMC said in its statement.

The officials are also directed to visit key sites around the lake such as the Westin Hotel area, Ganesh Ghat, Pawarwadi Ghat, and IIT Bombay for direct assessment.