Navi Mumbai water crisis deepens as Morbe Dam level drops to 12.73 per cent, experts push rainwater harvesting

Revival work underway at a traditional open well identified by NMMC for restoration and groundwater recharge. Pic/By Special Arrangement

With water levels in Morbe Dam, Navi Mumbai's primary drinking water source, falling to a critical 12.73 per cent, environmentalists have called for urgent rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge measures, warning that delayed monsoon and climate change are exposing growing water vulnerability.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has launched a drive to clean and revive 100 traditional wells across the city for non-potable use. The civic body has also imposed a 10 per cent water supply cut until reservoir levels improve.

Why does it matter?

Morbe Dam is Navi Mumbai's main source of drinking water. A delayed monsoon and weak rainfall activity have led to declining reservoir levels, prompting authorities to look for alternative water sources and conservation measures.

What is NMMC doing?

According to the NatConnect Foundation, Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde has directed the Water Supply Department to:
>> Conduct a survey of traditional wells
>> Clean and restore existing open wells
>> Develop rainwater recharge mechanisms
>> Use well water for non-potable purposes

Additional City Engineer Arvind Shinde has instructed ward-level engineers to utilise restored well water for:
>> Gardening
>> Cleaning
>> Washing
>> Construction activities

Explainer

Open wells vs borewells

Open wells:
>> Draw water from naturally accumulated groundwater reserves
>> Can be recharged through rainwater infiltration
>> Require desilting and cleaning before use

Borewells:
>> Draw water from deeper underground aquifers
>> Depend heavily on groundwater availability

Monsoon watch

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the advance of the southwest monsoon has slowed due to unfavourable atmospheric conditions linked to El Niño.

Current situation:
>> Monsoon has reached South Konkan
>> It has reached Solapur
>> Further progress has stalled

Reasons:
>> Weak wind conditions
>> Lack of a strong monsoon current
Weather officials expect conditions to improve in the coming days.

Need for long-term measures

Environmental groups say the current crisis highlights the need for long-term climate adaptation measures rather than temporary fixes.

The bigger demand

The concerns echo the Climate Action Now (CAN) Declaration adopted by NatConnect and partner organisations on World Environment Day.

The declaration calls for:
>> Large-scale rainwater harvesting
>> Groundwater recharge projects
>> Protection of urban green cover
>> Preservation of open spaces
>> Climate-resilient urban planning

Where does the water go?

According to the environmentalists, vast quantities of rainwater continue to flow into creeks and eventually into the sea during the monsoon.

What environmentalists want next

>> Rainwater harvesting systems at NMMC headquarters and ward offices
>> Rainwater harvesting at fire brigade facilities
>> Mandatory rainwater harvesting in redevelopment projects
>> Groundwater recharge infrastructure
>> Greater use of treated sewage water for non-potable purposes

Suggested uses for treated wastewater:

>> Gardening
>> Road cleaning
>> Construction
>> Flushing systems