12 October,2026 06:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The BMC has urged citizens to use drinking water judiciously, avoid wastage and adopt conservation measures in their daily lives. Representaional Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to Mumbai residents to conserve water amid concerns over the availability of water in the seven lakes supplying the city.
The civic body said below-average rainfall in 2026, influenced by climate factors such as El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), has affected the available water stock.
The appeal comes as Mumbai continues to face a gap between its daily water requirement and actual supply. The city and its suburbs require around 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD), while the average supply from available sources stands at approximately 4,100 MLD.
The BMC has urged citizens to use drinking water judiciously, avoid wastage and adopt conservation measures in their daily lives to ensure that the available reservoir stock lasts longer.
The BMC implemented a 10 per cent Mumbai water cut from May 15, 2026, following directions from the Maharashtra government's Water Resources Department. The cut remains in force, with the civic administration focusing on preserving the available water stock amid concerns over potential shortages.
The BMC is also planning water availability up to August 31, 2027, in accordance with the state government's directions and considering future drinking water requirements.
The civic body has issued a series of instructions for residents, housing societies, commercial establishments, industries and public institutions to reduce drinking water consumption.
Key measures include:
Avoid water wastage: Residents should not leave taps running unnecessarily and must promptly repair leaking taps and water pipelines.
Swimming pools: Drinking water must not be used to fill swimming pools.
Construction work: Treated water from sewage treatment plants or borewell water should be used for construction activities that do not require drinking water.
Vehicle washing and gardening: Wells, tubewells and borewells should be used to wash vehicles, water gardens and clean roads and surrounding areas.
Road washing: Treated sewage water or borewell water should be used instead of drinking water for road washing.
Public toilets: Organisations managing public toilets and washrooms should use alternative water sources wherever possible.
The BMC has also stated that the existing 20 per cent reduction in water supply to industrial and commercial establishments and sports clubs will continue.
The BMC's Hydraulic Engineer Department has formed special teams to prevent water losses caused by leakage. The teams have been directed to prioritise leak prevention and address reported cases within stipulated timelines.
The civic body has urged housing societies, educational institutions, commercial establishments and other organisations to prioritise water conservation and use alternative water sources wherever possible.
The civic administration has warned that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found misusing drinking water supplied by the BMC.
Appealing to Mumbaikars to support its conservation efforts, the civic body said that saving water was a collective responsibility. Residents have been urged to avoid using drinking water for non-essential purposes and maximise the use of alternative sources to help preserve the city's available water stock.
