BMC advises boiling and filtering drinking water for seven days in parts of Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a seven-day advisory for several parts of Mumbai, the eastern suburbs and select areas of Thane and Bhiwandi. Residents have been asked to boil and filter their drinking water as a precaution against possible changes in water quality.

The advisory follows the completion of repairs to Compartment No. 2 of the Yewai Master Balancing Reservoir in the Pise-Panjrapur complex. The BMC is due to bring the repaired compartment into use on Wednesday, October 28.

According to the BMC, the process of commissioning the compartment may affect the quality of water supplied through its distribution network. Residents have therefore been advised to take care for seven days. The BMC clarified that the advisory is only a precaution and does not prove that the water being supplied to the affected areas is bad.

In Mumbai city, the areas covered are the Naval Dockyard and Mumbai Port Trust (BPT) areas of A ward, and the entire areas of B ward, E ward, F-South ward and F-North ward.

In the eastern suburbs, the same advice has been given to residents of Mulund East and Mulund West in T ward; Bhandup, Nahur, Kanjurmarg and Vikhroli East in S ward; Vikhroli, Ghatkopar East and Ghatkopar in N ward; and Kurla East in L ward. The entire areas of M-East ward and M-West ward are also covered.

During the seven days, residents of the affected areas have been asked to take these steps. First, boil drinking water thoroughly and let it cool. Second, as the BMC advises, use a proper water filter in addition to boiling. Third, store boiled water in a clean, covered container to keep it from becoming contaminated again. Fourth, watch for announcements from the BMC and the municipal authorities concerned for further instructions.

Boiling water helps kill many disease-causing microorganisms, but it does not remove all chemical contaminants. If concerns about water quality persist, people should follow any additional guidance issued by the authorities.

The advisory is for seven days and will begin around the time the repaired part of the reservoir is brought into use. Residents of the identified areas have been asked to continue boiling and filtering drinking water during this period and to follow whatever instructions the BMC issues afterwards. The BMC has appealed to people to cooperate in taking precautions until this part of the reservoir is fully operational again.