Conservation Begins Now
As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) prepares to enforce a 10% water reduction from May 15th, residential communities across Mumbai are proactively
implementing stringent water-saving protocols. These measures are being rolled out to mitigate the impact of expected water shortages, with some societies already having enacted their plans. For instance, Jal Kiran Housing Society in Cuffe Parade has ceased all pipeline water supply for vehicle cleaning, instructing their maintenance staff to use a single bottle of water and a damp cloth for each car. Furthermore, residents have been advised to switch from showers to buckets for bathing, and gardeners are now tasked with watering only plant roots, avoiding any water wastage on leaves. These seemingly minor adjustments are anticipated to significantly reduce overall water consumption within the community, demonstrating a collective commitment to water conservation in the face of official cutbacks.
Tough Decisions Ahead
In areas like Mulund's Runwal Chestnut complex, composed of three 21-story buildings, residents are contemplating the temporary closure of their swimming pool, even with the ongoing summer break. While a final decision on closing the pool hasn't been made, discussions are underway among society members to conserve water by suspending its operations. Similarly, at Evershine Towers in Malad, residents have been accumulating a surplus of water, currently standing at 5,000 litres, which can sustain them for approximately a week. However, this reserve is intended for immediate needs, and if the water cut persists longer, the society has outlined plans to halt the operation of their swimming pools, gyms, and banquet halls. These discussions highlight the difficult choices societies are facing, balancing resident amenities with the critical need for water conservation during this period of scarcity.
Tanker Dependence Rises
Even before the official water cut takes effect, certain parts of Mumbai have already begun relying more heavily on private water tankers. Residents in Chandivali's Nahar Amrit Shakti area have been procuring tanker water for several days due to an already insufficient supply. Mandeep Singh Makkar, chairman of Synchronicity Housing Society, which houses over 266 flats, mentioned that residents were alerted last week to conserve water and prepare for increased dependence on tankers. The society is actively working to ensure the availability of tankers and prevent price gouging during this critical time. Meanwhile, in south Mumbai's Marine Drive area, residents have been experiencing water shortages for months. Ashok Gupta, vice-president of the Marine Drive Citizens’ Association, reported that his building, with 22 flats, has been dependent on private tankers since November due to consistently low water pressure, leading to a 20-30% supply reduction. The impending 10% cut is expected to exacerbate this existing shortage, with the tanker water being mixed with the main supply.
Reservoir Levels & Demand
These precautionary measures by housing societies come on the heels of the BMC's announcement of a 10% water cut, mandated by the state water resources department, and amid concerns about the upcoming monsoon season influenced by potential El Niño conditions. Currently, the seven lakes supplying Mumbai hold 3.34 lakh million litres of water, representing 23.12% of their total capacity. While this figure is higher than in the previous two years (19.56% in 2025 and 14.38% in 2024), the civic body stresses the importance of preserving reserves. Mumbai's daily water demand is estimated at 4,300 million litres per day (MLD), while the civic supply system provides around 3,850 MLD, necessitating the use of private tankers by many residential areas to bridge the gap. According to the Mumbai Tanker Association, tankers already supply an additional 550 MLD daily, and demand is expected to rise by another 100 MLD during the water cut period due to the constant strain on supply systems caused by urban development and redevelopment projects.
Disparities in Impact
Activists point out that the burden of water cuts is likely to fall disproportionately on slum areas. Sitaram Shelar, founder of Pani Haq Samiti, highlights a stark contrast, noting that affluent areas like Malabar Hill receive 400 litres per capita per day, while slum pockets receive only 90 litres. He suggests that the 10% cut might not significantly impact many upscale neighborhoods, such as Malabar Hill and Bandra, whereas slum areas could face reductions of up to 50%. Amita Bhide, dean of the School of Habitat Studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, explains that Mumbai's water infrastructure has historically excluded informal settlements. The city's water supply model was designed for permanent structures, and large sections of slums were never integrated into the pipeline network because they were considered temporary. This historical oversight contributes to the unequal impact of water scarcity and conservation efforts.
