The Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) has sought more land from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for treating sewage water at Ghatkopar pumping station.
According to civic officials, since 1996, the BMC has been supplying 22.7 million litres daily (mld) sewage water to the RCF. To treat this water, the civic body has handed over 119.87 sq mt plot at the Ghatkopar pumping station to the RCF on lease. The agreement came to an end two years ago.
The RCF has demanded the sewage water from the Ghatkopar pumping station for another 10 years and additional 22.70 mld sewage water. They have also demanded an additional plot at the pumping station for the treatment of sewage water. The proposal regarding this will be tabled before the civic standing committee for approval on Thursday.
“In 1996, it decided to supply 22.7 mld water to the RCF, for which the BMC charged 60 paise per 1,000 litres for the period of 10 years. The current rates of producing potable water is `8.24 for 1,000 litres. Hence, they will now have to pay 25 per cent more for the next 10 years. The rates will increase according to the rise in potable water production rates,” said a senior official from civic sewerage department.
According to civic officials, before the installation of sewage water treatment plant, the BMC used to supply 34.05 mld water for industrial and domestic use to RCF. However, after RCF set up 22.70 mld sewage water treatment plant in their premises, the drinking water demand has come down.
“If other public or private companies show interest, we are also planning to supply sewage water to them for treatment,” said the official.