In a significant move towards sustainable water management, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has announced a comprehensive plan to increase the reuse of treated wastewater. This initiative comes in response to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, as highlighted by Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao.

Currently, TMC processes approximately 241 million liters of wastewater daily, but only 5% of this water is recycled. The new plan aims to boost this figure to at least 16% by 2035, with a target capacity of processing and reusing up to 490 million liters of wastewater. Commissioner Rao emphasized the importance of maximizing water reuse to reduce dependency on drinking water sources for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, industrial use, and construction.

The plan was developed in collaboration with the Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW) over the past seven months. It includes strategies for short, medium, and long-term implementation to ensure effective water reuse across the municipal area. The initiative follows other environmental plans by TMC, including Heat Action and Urban Flood Management Plans.

“Thane will be the first municipal corporation to adopt such a structured approach. The recycled water is expected to be utilized in various applications including parks, fire services, road cleaning, and even enhancing groundwater levels”, said the Municipal Chief.

By 2046, TMC aims to expand its daily wastewater treatment capacity to 1,195 million liters, significantly increasing the potential for water recycling. This ambitious plan not only addresses immediate water management needs but also aligns with central and state government targets for sustainable urban development.

The announcement was made during an event attended by key officials from TMC and CEEW.