Archive · 8 Sep 2026
NGT Orders Probe Into Alleged Contaminated Water At Bhiwandi Society
Residents of a housing society in Bhiwandi said their drinking water may be mixing with sewage.
They blamed old or damaged water pipelines.
The local municipal corporation gave a different explanation.
It said leaking drainage lines from the building may have caused the problem.
The National Green Tribunal wants experts to check what is really happening.
A team from three government bodies will inspect the site.
The team must suggest ways to fix the problem and submit a report within one month.
The case will be heard again on October 15.
The National Green Tribunal ordered a joint inquiry into alleged contaminated drinking water at Shantisagar Complex in Bhiwandi.
The committee includes the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board and Thane District Collector.
The inquiry must inspect the site, identify the contamination source and submit a report within one month.
The housing society blamed damaged municipal water pipelines, while BNCMC attributed the problem to leaking drainage lines.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 15, with the MPCB serving as the nodal agency.
- Who
- The Shantisagar Complex 'F' Wing Co-operative Housing Society, BNCMC and a committee involving the MPCB, CPCB and Thane District Collector.
- What
- The NGT ordered a joint inquiry into allegations that sewage or contaminated water was entering the society's drinking-water supply.
- When
- The committee must submit its report within one month; the next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
- Where
- Shantisagar Complex 'F' Wing in the Narpoli area of Bhiwandi.
- Why
- The inquiry was ordered because the housing society and BNCMC gave conflicting explanations for the alleged contamination.
Housing Society's Explanation
BNCMC's Explanation
Source of contamination
Housing Society's Explanation
The society alleged that a deteriorated main drinking-water pipeline allowed sewage and contaminated water to enter the potable supply.
BNCMC's Explanation
BNCMC said there was no leakage in the municipal drinking-water pipeline and attributed the problem to leakage from the building's drainage line.
Evidence cited
Housing Society's Explanation
The society said it had made repeated complaints, applications and legal notices without receiving an effective solution.
BNCMC's Explanation
BNCMC Executive Engineer Sandeep Patnavar said another wing of the same building was receiving clean municipal water, which he said indicated that the main civic pipeline was not defective.
- Tribunal
- National Green Tribunal Western Zone Bench, Pune
- Affected residents
- 32 families, according to the housing society
- Inquiry members
- MPCB, CPCB and the Thane District Collector
- Report deadline
- Within one month
- Nodal agency
- Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
- Society's claim
- A damaged municipal drinking-water pipeline allowed sewage or contaminated water to enter the supply
- BNCMC's claim
- Defective drainage and storm-water lines caused wastewater to affect the municipal water pipeline