16 May,2026 11:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BMC headquarters. File Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has warned residents against illegally drawing water using electric pumps as the city begins facing a precautionary 10 per cent water cut due to declining reservoir levels.
The civic body said strict action, including criminal cases, penalties and even disconnection of water supply connections, will be taken against those found illegally extracting water directly from pipelines or tap connections.
Mumbai's 10 per cent water cut came into effect on Friday as reservoir levels supplying the city continued to decline ahead of the monsoon season.
According to the BMC, the decision to impose water rationing was taken as a precautionary measure amid falling water stock in lakes supplying Mumbai and forecasts of below-normal rainfall linked to El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions.
Officials said the total usable water stock available in the seven reservoirs supplying Mumbai stood at 340,399 million litres on May 11.
This amounts to only 23.52 per cent of the total annual required stock of 14,47,363 million litres needed to meet the city's water demand.
Mumbai depends on water supplied from Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna lakes located in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik districts.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar on Friday directed civic officials to intensify action against illegal water extraction practices across the city.
According to the BMC, inspections carried out in several areas have revealed that some residents have installed electric pumps directly on pipelines and tap connections to draw excess water.
Officials said such practices reduce water pressure in neighbouring localities and disrupt equitable distribution during the ongoing water cuts.
Bangar said the unauthorised use of electric pumps also increases stress on the water distribution network and raises the possibility of contamination entering pipelines.
The civic administration has instructed officials to seize illegal pumps, impose penalties and register criminal cases against violators.
The BMC has also warned that repeat offenders could face disconnection of their water supply connections.
Officials said strict monitoring will continue during the rationing period to ensure fair distribution of water across Mumbai.
The administration has appealed to residents to avoid illegal practices and cooperate with authorities during the ongoing supply reduction.
Alongside the crackdown, Bangar instructed engineers and field-level officials to prepare ward-wise micro-planning strategies to minimise inconvenience to citizens.
Officials have been asked to identify localities likely to face low-pressure supply or disruptions, especially elevated areas and tail-end regions that are more vulnerable during water rationing.
The BMC said field engineers have also been directed to remain present at worksites, maintain communication with residents and public representatives, and ensure complaints related to water supply are resolved quickly.
The civic body said regular monitoring of the distribution system will continue throughout the rationing period to maintain stable water supply across the city as reservoir levels remain under pressure ahead of the monsoon.
