TMC repairing 90 wells, cracking down on leaks and illegal taps as it plans for weak monsoon

Amid concern that a super El Nino could cause lower rainfall in the coming months and put pressure on water stocks, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has begun planning its water supply.

Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has given officials specific instructions. He has asked them to manage the available water stock strictly, increase the use of water from public wells and borewells, stop leakages, act against unauthorised tap connections and make maximum use of treated wastewater.

As part of these measures, the corporation is cleaning and repairing 90 wells. Pumps are also being installed there so that water is available for uses other than drinking. The work is expected to be completed by November 2026.

Ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis (RO) systems are being installed at 35 of these wells to make their water potable. Work on 12 wells is complete and they are in operation. Another eight wells are expected to start in November 2026, while the remaining 15 are to be completed before February 2027. The corporation will also monitor water levels in 210 of its own wells and 205 private wells, and increase their use where needed.

Thane has 2,024 borewells in all. Of these, 392 that had stopped working have been repaired, and maintenance of the rest is under way. To recharge groundwater during the monsoon and improve the yield of borewells, the corporation is considering rainwater harvesting systems and recharge pits near 80 borewells. It also plans to dig 40 new borewells at schools, gardens, playgrounds and slum areas, among other places. Their water will be used for purposes other than drinking.

To detect leaks in main water pipelines, the corporation is using robots fitted with CCTV cameras and radar technology. Modern equipment is also being deployed to stop wastage and identify leaks.

A special drive is on against unauthorised tap connections. Action was taken against 427 unauthorised connections between September 1 and October 31, 2026. Between September 14, 2025 and October 31, 2026, as part of action against unauthorised buildings, the corporation also cut 820 tap connections and seized 122 borewells and 48 motor pumps.

CCTV cameras have been installed at tanker filling points to prevent illegal sale of water. The corporation is also considering fitting GPS to its water tankers. Restrictions have been placed on the use of jet sprays to wash vehicles at service centres and garages, and recycling of water used in washing has been made mandatory. Inspections and action are continuing.

The municipal administration has clarified that no decision has been taken for now to stop water supply to buildings that have received an occupancy certificate. Water supply to new and old buildings will be planned according to the availability of drinking water.

The corporation has also instructed agencies working on major projects, including the metro, the Anand Nagar-Saket elevated road, the Thane-Borivali tunnel and the coastal road, not to waste water. Treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and tertiary treatment plants (TTPs) is being used on priority for washing roads and for road dividers, trees, gardens and playgrounds, rather than drinking water.

The municipal administration has appealed to citizens to use water carefully, report any leak immediately and cooperate with water-saving measures.