The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to discharge treated water into Powai Lake to maintain its water level. To achieve this, the civic body will set up a sewage treatment plant in Powai to treat the sewage that is currently being released into the lake without any treatment. Powai Lake is Mumbai’s first water supply reservoir.

On March 4, mid-day reported that the BMC will spend R39.37 crore to divert untreated sewage, which is presently discharged into the lake. In 2022, the National Green Tribunal had ordered the BMC to prevent sewage from entering the lake.  According to a BMC official, the initial plan was to divert the sewage into the city’s sewage network and transfer it to a nearby treatment plant. However, the new plan involves setting up a treatment facility near Powai Lake itself. "The sewage will be treated as per Union government standards before being discharged back into the lake," the official said.