Despite Mumbai’s lakes having enough water to ensure supply until June 10, the city continues to grapple with a water crisis. As of now, only 31% of the total lake storage capacity is left, enough for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to maintain supply until early June. Still, residents across several areas are receiving water at low pressure, struggling to meet daily needs amid the ongoing summer heat.
BMC Additional Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said the state government has approved the use of reserved water from the Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna lakes. The BMC has been allowed to use 68,000 MLD from Upper Vaitarna and 1,13,000 MLD from Bhatsa. A BMC official stated that the reserved water will only be used if the current stock falls below 10%. To access this reserve, the BMC will pay Rs 42 crore to the state government.
Lakes Hold Only 31% Water as Mumbai Faces Summer Demand
As of April 12, the total water stock in these lakes was 4,53,550 MLD, which is 31.34% of their total storage capacity. In comparison, during the same period in 2024, the stock stood at 3,71,868 MLD (25.69%), and in 2022, it was 4,68,040 MLD (32.34%).
Officials note that this year the lakes have about 5% more water than last year. In 2024, due to lower reserves, BMC had started water cuts in the last week of May.
BMC invokes Disaster Management Act to ensure uninterrupted water supply
Amid an ongoing strike by private water tanker owners, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invoked the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the city. On Sunday, BMC announced that it will take control of all private tankers, wells, and borewells under Sections 34(A) and 65(1) of the Act.
Until the issue is resolved, water will be supplied via tankers to private housing societies and institutions. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been prepared for the same. The strike, now in its fourth day, was triggered by a BMC-issued notice in line with regulations from the Central Ground Water Authority. As a result, several private societies and hotels across Mumbai are facing acute water shortages. To implement the SOP and ensure smooth distribution, BMC will also seek assistance from the Mumbai Police.
Mumbai currently receives daily water supply from various lakes located around 100 km from the city. These include:
- Tansa: 455 MLD
- Modak Sagar: 455 MLD
- Middle Vaitarna: 455 MLD
- Upper Vaitarna: 640 MLD
- Bhatsa: 2020 MLD
In addition, the Vihar Lake provides 100 MLD and Tulsi Lake 18 MLD daily.
Penalty on Pending Water Bills from April 2025
The BMC has officially ended its ‘Abhay Yojana’ as of March 31, 2025. This scheme had waived the 2% penalty on one-time payment of outstanding bills. Starting April 2025, instead of a penalty, a surcharge will be applied on unpaid water bills, ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 5,000.
Tanker Strike Continues
The strike by water tanker operators, which began on April 10, remained in effect through Saturday. The Tanker Association is firm on its demand for changes in the Central Ground Water Authority’s NOC norms. Despite BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani postponing the notice issued to the tanker operators until June 15 after a meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, the association has not resumed water supply.
