Thane water crisis: TMC plans 40 new borewells, targets leakages and illegal connections

Thane Municipal Corporation TMC has begun planning measures to manage its water supply amid concerns that the possible impact of Super El Nino could reduce rainfall and put pressure on water reserves in the coming monthsMunicipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has directed officials to ensure strict management of available water stocks increase the use of water from public wells and borewells prevent leakages take action against unauthorised water connections and maximise the use of treated wastewaterAs part of the measures the civic body is cleaning and repairing 90 wells and installing pumps to make water available for nondrinking purposes The work is expected to be completed by November 2026The TMC is also installing ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis RO systems at 35 wells to make their water potable Work at 12 wells has been completed and these are operational Eight more are expected to become operational in November 2026 while the remaining 15 are scheduled to be completed before February 2027The civic body will also monitor water levels in 210 municipal and 205 private wells and increase their use wherever necessaryBorewell maintenance and rechargeOf the 2024 borewells in Thane 392 nonfunctional ones have been repaired while maintenance of the remaining borewells is underway The TMC plans to install rainwater harvesting systems and recharge pits at 80 borewells to improve groundwater replenishment during the monsoon and help increase their wateryielding capacityIt also plans to drill 40 new borewells at locations including schools gardens playgrounds and slum areas These will be used to supply water for nondrinking purposesLeak detection and action against illegal connectionsThe civic body is using CCTV cameraequipped robots and radar technology to detect leakages in major water pipelinesIt is also deploying advanced equipment to identify leaks and prevent water lossA special drive is underway against unauthorised water connections Between September 1 and October 31 2026 action was taken against 427 unauthorised connections Separately between September 14 2025 and October 31 2026 the civic body disconnected 820 water connections and seized 122 borewells and 48 motors as part of its action against unauthorised buildingsTanker monitoring and water reuseCCTV cameras have been installed at tankerfilling points to prevent illegal sale of water The TMC is also planning to equip its water tankers with GPS systems The use of jet sprays for vehicle washing at service centres and garages has been restricted while vehicle water replenishment has been made mandatory Surveys and enforcement action are underwayThe civic administration has clarified that no decision has been taken for now to stop water supply to buildings that have received occupancy certificates Water supply to new and existing buildings will be planned according to the availability of drinking waterThe TMC has also instructed agencies involved in major projects including the metro Anand NagarSaket elevated road ThaneBorivali tunnel and coastal road to avoid wasting water Treated water from sewage treatment plants STPs and tertiary treatment plants TTPs is being prioritised for road cleaning road dividers trees gardens and playgrounds instead of potable waterThe civic administration has appealed to residents to use water judiciously report leakages promptly and cooperate with its conservation measures