Residents in Mumbai will face a 10 per cent water cut from Friday as reservoir levels continue to fall, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to tighten monitoring of water usage across the city. The civic body has also warned that strict action, including criminal cases and water supply disconnection, will be taken against people found illegally using electric pumps to draw extra water from pipelines.
The BMC said the precautionary water cut has been imposed because water storage in the seven lakes supplying Mumbai has reduced significantly. Officials are also worried about forecasts predicting below-normal monsoon conditions due to the El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) weather patterns.
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According to civic data, the usable water stock in the reservoirs stood at 340,399 million litres on May 11. This is only 23.52 per cent of the city’s total annual requirement of 14,47,363 million litres.
Mumbai receives its water supply from seven major lakes, Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna, located in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik districts.
BMC Cracks Down On Illegal Water Extraction
Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar directed officials to step up inspections and take action against residents illegally using electric pumps connected to pipelines and taps. Officials said these pumps are being used to extract more water than permitted, which reduces water pressure in nearby areas and affects supply to other residents.
The civic body also warned that such practices can damage the distribution system and increase the risk of contamination entering pipelines. BMC teams have been asked to seize unauthorised pumps, impose penalties and file criminal complaints against violators. Repeat offenders may also face disconnection of water supply connections.
Focus On Areas Facing Low Supply
Bangar instructed engineers and civic officials to prepare ward-wise plans to manage water supply during the rationing period. Officials have been asked to identify areas likely to face low-pressure supply, especially elevated and tail-end localities, and ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. Field engineers have also been directed to stay present at worksites, interact with residents and public representatives, and quickly resolve complaints related to water supply.