City Sewer System

Brihanmumbai territory is divided in seven sewer zones viz. Colaba, Worli, Bandra, Versova, Malad, Bhandup and Ghatkopar, for the sake of collection, treatment and disposal of the sewage. The treated sewage from Colaba, Worli and Bandra Zones is disposed into the Arabian Sea through marine outfalls. The Treated sewage from Versova zones is discharged into the Malad creek, while the treated sewage from Bhandup and Ghatkopar zones discharge into the Thane creek, through waste water treatment facilities such as aerated lagoons. The underground sewerage system discharges at various lengths into the sea: The Love Grove treatments works has an outfall 3 Kms long, Colaba-1.1 Kms, Bandra- 3 Kms, Versova 2.9 Kms, Malad- 2.2 Kms, Ghatkopar 0.9 Kms and Bhandup 1.15 Kms.

The Love Grove area in Worli still has chimneys which are remnants from the earlier process of treating sewage, which was by boiling it.

TIMELINE

1800 First sewage lines laid in Colaba
1842 First basic pipleline laid in Bombay for sewage transport
1860 First treatment plant commissioned at Colaba
1880 Captain Tulloct created the concept of separate systems for storm and sewage water 
1880 Sewage plant using chimney, boiler system commissioned at present Love Grove
1890 Baldwin Lantham submitted a report on sanitation 
1893 Report implemented and an ejector system (network for disposing sewage into sea)built. 
1976 M/s Metcalf & Eddy submitted an Integrated Master Plan for Sewage collection and disposal till 2005. Was implemented at a cost of Rs 94 lakh
1995-97 Data on manholes computerised. Only such data in any sewage system in India 
1998 New commission for renewal of drainage system appointed  
2000 Committee submitted report suggesting Rs 55,704 million required for overhaul.