BMC halts water supply to new construction sites, swimming pools amid dwindling reservoir stocks

MUMBAI: With water levels in the seven lakes supplying Mumbai falling to 10.35% of their total capacity and the monsoon yet to pick up, the BMC on Tuesday announced that it will suspend water supply to construction sites and swimming pools and impose a 20% cut in supply to industrial and commercial establishments.The restrictions will come into effect from June 17, adding to the 10% citywide water cut that has been in force since May 15.“A meeting was held at the civic headquarters on Tuesday morning to review the current water stock situation and decide on water conservation measures so that the available water stocks are able to last until the monsoon picks up and the lakes begin to fill. It was therefore decided that all water connections provided for construction activities will be temporarily disconnected, while no new construction water connections will be approved until further orders. Water supply to swimming pools will also be suspended,” said the civic body in a statement, adding that industrial and commercial establishments, including sports clubs, will face a 20% reduction in water supply. In addition, the BMC said applications for extra or additional water connections will remain pending until lake levels improve.The civic body 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. The civic administration has urged public toilet operators to use tanker or borewell water wherever possible and advised residents and institutions to rely on well or borewell water for non-potable purposes such as vehicle washing, watering gardens, and cleaning roads and public spaces.The BMC has also directed major establishments, including the Central and Western Railways, RCF, HPCL, BPCL, the Indian Navy, MIDC and the Mumbai Port Authority, to maximise the use of treated sewage water for operational purposes instead of potable water.Warning against wastage, the civic body said strict action would be taken against anyone found misusing drinking water supplied by the BMC and appealed to citizens to cooperate in conserving the city’s limited water resources until the monsoon replenishes reservoir stocks.Mumbai receives its daily water supply from seven lakes, most of which are situated outside the city limits. Apart from this, Powai Lake, which is situated in Mumbai, supplies water to the city 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 for non-drinking purposes in Aarey Dairy Colony. When the lake is full, its overflow reaches the Mithi River.