Mumbai News: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will resume water supply to swimming pools across Mumbai following a significant improvement in water stocks in the city’s reservoirs, the Press Trust of India reported.
Civic-run swimming pools will reopen to citizens from August 16, during their morning and evening sessions, the BMC said on Wednesday.
The decision follows a rise in water levels across the seven reservoirs that supply Mumbai. As of 6 am on Wednesday, the reservoirs held a combined usable water stock of 12,95,274 million litres (ML), accounting for 89.49% of their total useful capacity of 14,47,363 ML.
The civic administration has directed officials to restore water connections to swimming pools and ensure that all required
facilities and safety arrangements are operating at full capacity before the reopening.
Swimming Pools Were Closed Amid Water Shortage Concerns
The BMC had stopped supplying water to swimming pools in mid-June as reservoir levels fell and concerns grew over rainfall amid El Nino conditions. Around a month before suspending water supplies to the pools, the civic body had also imposed a 10% water cut across the city. The water-saving measure remains in force.
The decision to restore water supplies comes after a substantial improvement in Mumbai’s overall water stock. However, the BMC continues to monitor the situation while maintaining the existing water cut.
Pool Water Must Meet Safety And Quality Standards
Before the pools reopen, the BMC has instructed officials to ensure that all safety and water-quality requirements are met. Filtration and purification systems must be operated at full capacity. The water in each pool must also be tested at a BMC laboratory and certified as fit for swimming, as reported by Mid-day.
Officials have additionally been directed to obtain an analyst’s certificate confirming that the pool water is technically suitable for swimming.
These checks are intended to ensure that the facilities are ready for use after the prolonged suspension of water supplies.
Lifeguards And Instructors To Return At Full Capacity
The civic administration has asked officials to complete all necessary preparations by August 15, a day before the swimming pools reopen. The preparations include restoring filtration systems, testing the pool water and deploying swimming instructors-cum-lifeguards at full capacity.
The BMC said swimming facilities would be made available to citizens from August 16, provided all the required arrangements are completed.
Mumbai Reservoir Levels Reach Nearly 90%
The seven reservoirs supplying Mumbai are now holding nearly 90% of their combined useful capacity, allowing the BMC to resume water supplies to civic swimming pools, PTI reported. Despite the improved water position, the 10% water cut remains in force, signalling that the civic administration is continuing to keep a close watch on the city’s overall water availability.
With the reservoirs now holding 12,95,274 ML against their combined useful capacity of 14,47,363 ML, Mumbai’s civic swimming pools are set to welcome residents again after their months-long closure.
