As tanker services halt, Mumbai braces for a bigger water crunch

Representation pic

Mumbai's water shortage is set to deepen from Monday, with the Mumbai Water Tankers Association (MWTA) suspending tanker services across the city from Sunday night.

The move comes at a time when thousands of housing societies, commercial establishments and entertainment venues are already relying on tanker water to bridge a widening supply gap caused by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ongoing 10 per cent water cut.

According to MWTA, the association supplies up to 550 million litres per day (MLD) of water across Mumbai through a fleet of tankers making multiple trips daily. The suspension is expected to hit residential complexes, hotels, restaurants, multiplexes and business parks that depend on tanker water for non-potable use.

With lake levels continuing to remain low, residents fear the disruption could significantly impact daily life if the strike continues.

Areas to be affected

>> Lower Parel
>> Parel
>> Wadala
>> GTB Nagar
>> Sion
>> Andheri
>> Powai
>> Ghatkopar

Mumbai's water situation

Daily requirement: 4600 MLD
Normal BMC supply: 3950-4100 MLD
Current supply after 10 per cent cut: Approx. 3690 MLD
Estimated shortfall: More than 900 MLD
Tanker water supplied by MWTA: Up to 550 MLD
Million litres = MLD

Water stock as of June 7

>> Total water stock: 196,141 million litres
>> Storage level: 13.55 per cent
>> Estimated water stock remaining: Less than 50 days

Comparison with last year

>> June 7, 2025: 11.06 per cent storage
>> June 7, 2026: 13.55 per cent storage
While lake levels are higher than on the same day last year, rainfall in the catchment areas has been significantly lower.

Voices from the ground

Dhaval Shah, Andheri resident
‘Over the past month, housing societies in our area have depended on water from tankers. Due to low water pressure, even a 10 per cent water cut actually translates to a 30 per cent water cut at the end of our lane. The water crisis has hit households and housing societies badly. Due to extreme heat and summer conditions, we cannot compromise on water usage. For example, if gardens and plants are not watered, they will wilt.'

Lower Parel resident,
‘The society has issued a directive to all flat owners to use water judiciously. We depend on two to four water tankers every three to four days, amounting to around 2,500 litres of additional water. With the MWTA strike, if we do not get this water, we will have to make big lifestyle changes in our building'

Restaurant and bar owner, Lower Parel
‘Every week we get one 500-litre tanker. We use this water for washing and flushing. While kitchen services will not be immediately hit, we may have to close our washrooms within the week if the strike continues'