Mumbai’s Water Contamination Crisis: How Membrane Technology Can Help
Mumbai’s rivers, creeks and coastline are carrying a heavy load of faecal contamination, and the risk does not stop at the shoreline. At ADIMEM Technologies, an Indian manufacturer of membrane filtration products and water treatment systems, we believe the answer lies in treating water properly at source. Membranes are among the most reliable tools for the job.
What the Data Shows
Recent reporting makes uncomfortable reading. A Praja Foundation report found faecal coliform in the Mithi River at 5,40,000 MPN/100 ml, against a Central Pollution Control Board limit of 2,500 MPN/100 ml. A separate study of Mahim Creek recorded faecal coliform at roughly 180 times the safe limit. When sewage reaches waterways, and ageing pipes or poorly maintained storage tanks let contamination in, the risk can spread into the water people use every day.
Why Faecal Contamination Is a Serious Health Concern
Faecal coliform and E. coli are signs that sewage has entered the water. Drinking contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, with nausea, stomach pain and vomiting. WHO guidance says E. coli should be absent from drinking water. The risk tends to rise during the monsoon, when sewage can seep into supply lines.
How Membrane Filtration Works
A membrane acts as a physical barrier rather than relying on chemicals alone. Microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes have pores small enough to hold back bacteria and suspended solids. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) combine biological treatment with membrane separation, turning sewage into high-quality treated water in a compact footprint. Nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) go further, polishing water for reuse.
How Our Membrane Systems Fit the Solution
We develop and produce MF, UF, NF, RO and MBR membranes in-house. Our range includes:
- • FLUXA: spiral wound membranes
- • FYBRIN: hollow fibre UF membranes
- • ARISE: MBR membranes
- • TUBIONIQ: tubular UF membranes
Beyond individual membranes, we deliver complete systems, from standardised RO, UF and MBR skids to customised ETPs, ZLD systems, STPs and WTPs. Our municipal solutions cover plants from 100 KLD to 10 MLD. We serve textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, municipal utilities and residential complexes.
Why Manufacturing Depth Builds Trust
Water treatment is not a place for guesswork. We operate a vertically integrated facility and use our proprietary Reverse Phase Transition process, a hybrid of NIPS and TIPS. It is designed to deliver high surface porosity, uniform pores and lasting durability, which in turn supports high flux, low fouling and long service life. Research and development, element manufacturing, quality control and performance testing sit together, so accountability stays under one roof.
Safer Water Starts With the Right Treatment
Whether you run a factory, a housing society or a municipal plant, the first step is understanding your water. Speak to our engineering team about the system that suits your flow, your contaminants and your compliance needs.