Mumbai's 10% water cut continues as BMC issues fresh water-saving directions

The threat of a water shortage in Mumbai has grown. Weather phenomena such as 'El Nino' and the 'Indian Ocean Dipole' (IOD) led to lower rainfall in 2026. This has directly affected the water stocks in the seven major dams that supply Mumbai.

To avert a water crisis in the coming period and to make the existing stock last till August 31, 2027, the municipal administration has taken stringent steps. On the directions of the state government's water resources department, a 10 per cent water cut was imposed in Mumbai from May 15, 2026, and it remains in force.

Mumbai city and the suburbs need about 4,664 million litres of water every day. At present, only about 4,100 million litres a day is being supplied on average. Given this gap and the falling water levels in the dams, the municipal corporation has appealed to people to use water with great care. The administration said every drop of water is precious and that this is the right time to put the message 'Save water, save life' into practice.

As per the directions of the Maharashtra government's water resources department, planning is being done till August 31, 2027, keeping in mind future drinking water needs. To ensure strict implementation of water-saving measures, the municipal administration has issued several additional notices.

The notices say that citizens, industrial and commercial establishments and various institutions should avoid wasting drinking water. Drinking water should not be used for swimming pools. For purposes other than drinking, wells, tubewells and borewells should be used as much as possible.

The 20 per cent cut in water supply to industrial and commercial establishments and sports clubs will continue. Under the pollution-control measures being taken on the directions of the High Court, roads are washed. For this, treated water from sewage treatment plants or borewell water must be used instead of drinking water.

At construction sites, too, processed water from sewage treatment plants or borewell water should be used for purposes other than drinking. Water from wells, tubewells and borewells should be used for washing vehicles, watering garden plants and cleaning roads or premises. Institutions operating public toilets and washrooms should also use alternative water sources as far as possible.

The hydraulic engineer's department has formed special teams to prevent losses from water leakage. Leakage has been given priority, and instructions have been issued to resolve such cases within a fixed time.

The municipal corporation has appealed to citizens and all establishments concerned to use the available water frugally and follow the administration's notices, so that the severity of the shortage is reduced. The administration has made it clear that appropriate action will be taken against those found misusing drinking water supplied by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation anywhere and in any manner.