The Mithi river pollution control needs consideration of the following aspects for clean-up :-
1) Domestic sewage due to residential colonies as well as hutments in the thickly populated area.
2) Industrial waste generated by authorized as well as unauthorized industries.
3) Animal waste due to cow sheds in various areas.
4) Garbage dump by citizens all along its course.
5) Industrial sludge and rejects discarded by recyclers at Kalina and CST Road.
Suggested steps to minimize the pollution and the degradation of the mithi river :-
1) Provide sewerage system on both the banks of the river so that the sewerage is collected and treated at various locations. This includes existing sewerage discharge drains provided by the BMC.
2) Immediately stop all unauthorized industries which includes scrap dealers, scrap recyclers, waste oil recyclers etc. these industries contribute industrial waste, hazardous waste as well as sludge.
3) Provide proper garbage collection system on both banks of the river, so that garbage is not dumped on the river
4) To improve flow pattern, it is essential to clean the bed of mithi river right from Powai to Mahim. this will improve its capacity to carry load.
5) To improve the quality of water, sewage treatment plants need to be planted at various locations. Water after treatment can b used in industry and gardening. Both the banks of Mithi river can be planted with proper vegetation for beautification. In fact this will work as a natural eco-system to improve the quality of water and save cost of providing expensive treatment plants.
6) If the sludge is removed from the bed of Mithi river, it may be possible to use this river for internal navigation purpose, using some barriers down stream, as the width of the river at many places is more than 10 metres.
Short Term measures include following:
(1) Immediate closure of all the unauthorized activities which discharge industrial effluents, sludge, oil and chemicals.
(2) Provide proper garbage collection system to prevent citizens from dumping the same into the river.
(3) A lot of unemployed people can be given the job of keeping the river clean all throughout the year.
Long Term measures include the following:
Long term measures to minimize pollution in Mithi river include the following:-
1. Plan for sewers on both the banks of Mithi river and provide Sewage treatment plants at various locations. Such plants can be provided wherever proper drainage lines exist today.
2. Dredge the entire length of Mithi river bed to improve its carrying capacity.
3. Provide proper garbage collection stations for the benefit of hutment dwellers
4. Provide public toilets at regular intervals so that the people don't use the river as a urinary.