Mumbai: While granting Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the 400 MLD seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant proposed by the BMC at Manori village, the Expert Appraisal Committee (CRZ) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has imposed key conditions.The committee has directed the project proponent to identify institutes/universities/collegesreputed research institutions at the state and national levels, which will prepare a comprehensive long-term research action plan. This plan will assess the impact of brine discharge on marine ecology, including coastal flora and fauna, and focus on developing advanced desalination technologies, as well as viable methods for brine reuse. Besides, research on designing incentive structures to conserve natural resources and mitigate waste for reducing pollution load in marine ecosystems/coastal areas for sustainable development, and submit it to the project proponent. Accordingly, the project proponent has also been directed to initially earmark 10 crore for the proposed research initiatives. Among the conditions attached to the clearance, is a restriction on activities in Manori Creek, a key fishing ground for local fishermen.Noting that this is Mumbai and Maharashtra’s first large-scale desalination project for potable water supply, the committee observed that its success could provide a viable alternative source of drinking water for the city, and may lead to setting up of more such desalination plants in future which would ultimately lead to discharge of significant volumes of the brine in the sea water. Therefore, the committee underscored the need to improve brine quality and promote its reuse to minimise adverse impacts on marine life and ecosystems, besides, desalination methods can be established as environmentally sound, economically feasible and sustainable sources of drinking water supply.The committee has also advised the proponent to take all necessary precautions during operations to ensure that tidal flows and nearby mangrove ecosystems remain unaffected. According to the proponent, both intake and outfall pipelines will be laid using tunnelling methods to minimise seabed disturbance and reduce environmental impact. Measures will also be explored to lower energy consumption and carbon footprint, including increasing the share of renewable energy to at least 10% and installing energy recovery systems. The BMC awarded the project contract to GVPR Engineers in Dec. In the first phase, a 200 MLD plant will be developed. “We have managed to obtain the required permissions in record time, and the conditions imposed by the committee are welcome, as the research carried out for this project would help in implementing other desalination projects,” said a senior civic official.
