Mumbai water cut continues, BMC urges residents to use water carefully or face action
With lower rainfall leaving the seven lakes short of stock, the BMC has tightened water-use rules and warned of action against misuse.
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Rainfall has been lower this year, and this has directly affected the seven dams that supply water to Mumbai. El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole were the two reasons for the weak rain. With stocks in the dams low, Mumbaikars will have to use water sparingly even during the festival season.
The municipal corporation has asked people to use water carefully. Taps should not be left running needlessly, any leakage should be fixed immediately, and water that can be reused should be reused.
The state government's water resources department had issued orders in view of the shortage. The municipal corporation then imposed a 10 per cent water cut in Mumbai from May 15, 2026. The corporation is focusing on how to make the stock last longer. The government has asked for water arrangements to be made till August 31, 2027, and the corporation has therefore issued stricter rules.
Housing societies, large shops, schools, colleges and public places have been asked to give greater importance to saving water. Everyone, from the common citizen to large traders, has been told not to waste drinking water. For purposes other than drinking, they have been asked to use well and borewell water. The 20 per cent cut in the water supplied to industrial areas and sports clubs will continue.
Roads are washed to reduce pollution on court orders. However, drinking water must no longer be used to wash roads. Water from sewage treatment plants or borewells has been asked for instead. The same rule will apply at construction sites, and drinking water will not be taken for construction.
Water for washing vehicles, watering garden plants and cleaning roads must also come only from wells or borewells. Organisations running public toilets have also been asked to use alternative water.
Restrictions on swimming pools were lifted a few days ago, but they have been reimposed because of the water shortage. The order is clear that drinking water must not be used for swimming pools.
Leakages waste a great deal of water. To stop this, the hydraulic engineer's department has formed special teams. Any leakage will be plugged as soon as possible. The municipal corporation has said that action will be taken against anyone found misusing water. Mumbaikars are therefore urged to use water carefully, because this stock has to last until next year.
