The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced stringent water conservation measures as the water levels in the seven lakes supplying Mumbai have fallen to 10.35% of their total capacity, with the monsoon yet to gain momentum. Effective June 17, the civic body will suspend water supply to construction sites and swimming pools, and impose a 20% reduction in supply to industrial and commercial establishments. This is in addition to the existing 10% citywide water cut that has been in place since May 15.
Review Meeting and Decisions
A meeting was held at the civic headquarters on Tuesday morning to review the current water stock situation and decide on conservation measures to ensure that available water stocks last until the monsoon picks up and the lakes begin to fill. The BMC stated that all water connections provided for construction activities will be temporarily disconnected, and no new construction water connections will be approved until further orders. Water supply to swimming pools will also be suspended. Industrial and commercial establishments, including sports clubs, will face a 20% reduction in water supply. Applications for extra or additional water connections will remain pending until lake levels improve.
Restrictions on Bottling Plants
The BMC has also decided to curb water supply to aerated beverage and packaged drinking water bottling plants, limiting it to the quantity required for the drinking water needs of workers. Mumbai currently requires around 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD) but receives an average supply of 4,100 MLD from its seven lakes. With delayed monsoon rains attributed to the El Niño effect, available water stocks have continued to decline, forcing the BMC to tighten conservation measures.
Alternate Water Sources
The civic administration has urged public toilet operators to use tanker or borewell water wherever possible. Residents and institutions are advised to rely on well or borewell water for non-potable purposes such as vehicle washing, watering gardens, and cleaning roads and public spaces. Major establishments, including the Central and Western Railways, RCF, HPCL, BPCL, the Indian Navy, MIDC, and the Mumbai Port Authority, have been directed to maximize the use of treated sewage water for operational purposes instead of potable water.
Warning Against Wastage
The BMC has warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found misusing drinking water supplied by the civic body. It appealed to citizens to cooperate in conserving the city’s limited water resources until the monsoon replenishes reservoir stocks.
Mumbai's Water Supply System
Mumbai receives its daily water supply from seven lakes, most of which are situated outside the city limits. Apart from these, Powai Lake, located within Mumbai, supplies water for industrial use only. With a holding capacity of 545 crore litres, the water from this lake is not potable for humans and is mainly used for industrial purposes and non-drinking purposes in Aarey Dairy Colony. When the lake is full, its overflow reaches the Mithi River.
