The Free Press Journal

MBMC aims to save `4.61cr through SCADA

Eight out of ten STPs in operation mode, remaining two are on verge of completion

“Apart from significan­t savings, the implementa­tion of the SCADA system has a positive impact on the operations, maintenanc­e and process improvemen­t of the twin-city’s sewage treatment mechanism.” MBMC Chief Sanjay Katkar

The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporatio­n (MBMC) aims to save more than Rs4.61 crore this year towards the maintenanc­e and upkeep of its sewage treatment plants (STP) and pumping stations, which are integral parts of the city’s undergroun­d drainage project.

The savings were registered after the MBMC adopted the supervisor­y control and data acquisitio­n (SCADA) system through a private agency. Last year, the civic administra­tion spent Rs16.14 crore, which will effectivel­y be reduced by nearly 42% to Rs11.53 crore.

The undergroun­d sewage facility of the twin city has been entirely designed on a decentrali­sed system across ten zones in a radius of 24 sq km. A 107km network of sewer lines has been laid with ten pumping stations and ten STPs to treat 115 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater.

While eight out of the ten STPs are in operation mode, the remaining two are on the verge of completion. Notably, the MBMC also set up a tertiary treatment plant (TTP) at its existing STP in the Hatkesh area of Kashimira. Having a capacity of sourcing five MLD treated water, the TTP provides nonpotable water for watering trees at municipal gardens, toilet flushing, constructi­on sites and other utilisatio­n options so that people do not waste drinking water for such purposes.

“Apart from savings, the implementa­tion of the SCADA system has a positive impact on the operations, maintenanc­e and process improvemen­t of the twin city’s sewage treatment mechanism,” said municipal commission­er Sanjay Katkar.

He said, “The scope of work envisages monitoring of tertiary water pressure and quality of live feed.”